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Matterhorn Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145), near the quaint town of Telluride, at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its beautiful scenery, hiking and off-road opportunities.
The Galloping Goose Trail #449 can be accessed from the campground. This 8.4-mile trail leads past a restored train trestle, over two trail bridges and along segments of the historic Rio Grande Southern Railway. The trail is open to hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Many scenic driving routes, both paved and off-road, can be found in the area. Additional hiking trails crisscross the surrounding mountains. Lizard Head Wilderness is about 3 miles from the campground.
The campground offers single-family sites, each equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Some sites are accessible and some have full RV hookups. Flush and vault toilets, drinking water, showers and trash collection are provided.
Most sites on the outer edge of the campground are wooded. Sites on the inside are more open.
Most sites have pleasant views, especially the walk-to tent sites, which have unobstructed and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
The charming and historic town of Telluride is just 7miles away, offering dining and lodging options, live music, shopping, museums, galleries and plenty of summer activities.
A free, scenic gondola connects Telluride with nearby Mountain Village, a small town with additional shopping and dining opportunities. On the gondola, visitors are awarded a panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountains.
From Telluride, travel approximately 7 miles south on Highway 145. Watch for campground signs; the turn off from the road is on the left.
Matterhorn Campground is the best! Anna, the campground host, was super helpful and knowledgeable about the area. She kept everything clean and well stocked. We did not have reservations and were so happy to find a beautiful spot open by the river, close to the bathrooms, with a picnic table and fire ring. Love this place!
I loved this campground!! For sure my top 5! We had a beautiful spot right next to the river with gorgeous views of the snowy mountain. Got to meet one of the hosts & they were sooo helpful & friendly. They even had some local recommendations. Has running water, flushing toilets, & warm showers. Just spot on! This will be my go-to spot when I come back.
Matterhorn Campground was great. The host we met, Jocelyn, was fantastic, and there's a stellar view regardless of which direction you decide to look from your site. Easy access to Galloping Goose, as well as the forest road that leads to Trout Lake (and a short drive to Telluride // not all that far from Ouray). Drove up from Albuquerque for a walk-in site and couldn't have asked for a better spot.
Fairly certain these are the best maintained bathroom facilities (including the vault toilet) anywhere I've camped within the National Forest system.
The people serving at this campground, Jocelyn and Anna, were terrific. Jocelyn met us on the first day of our stay, and helped us pick a great site. She and Anna were cheerful and always ready to serve. They kept the bathrooms clean. It was so nice to take hot showers at the end of beautiful days of hiking. The campground is peaceful and has all the basic amenities.
