South Mineral Campground

Facility · Colorado ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

San Juan National Forest (NF) · Open Access

9,841 ft
Elevation

South Mineral Campground, located along South Mineral Creek, is one of the most popular campgrounds in the San Juan National Forest. The campground has 26 sites, all of which are first-come, first-serve.  Most campsites are shaded and well-spaced thanks to spruce and fir trees. Some sites are handicapped accessible.  Some sites have large parking areas.

Services include water, trash pickup, fire grates, picnic tables, and pit toilets. Bear-safe food storage is recommended. No electricity.  Between September and May, this campground has no services (water, electric, trash pick up or rest rooms). Please keep them clean and pack it out. 

Nearby peaks have cliffs of brilliant color-contrasting reds and grays. A waterfall on the creek just upstream from the campground adds to the attraction of the area. But the main attraction is the trail adjacent to the campground, Ice Lake Trail, a strenuous, steep, and popular hike.

The facts

  • Season: Mid-May – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

From Silverton: Follow Hwy 550 two miles west of Silverton. Turn left (west) and follow Forest Road 585 for 4 miles to the campground entrance. The road parallels South Mineral Creek the creek, and is driveable by 2WD. Just past the campground, the road becomes 4WD. South Mineral Campground is the last developed camping area along U.S. Highway 550 on the San Juan National Forest.

Driving off-road is prohibited, but many other 4WD roads in the Silverton and Red Mountain Pass areas are open to motorized use.

South Mineral Campground area map

37.80560, -107.77510 · 37°48'20.2"N 107°46'30.4"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in2.82.92.92.82.10.82.22.62.82.62.72.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 3.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about South Mineral Campground

Can you reserve a site at South Mineral Campground?
No. South Mineral Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

South Mineral Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by South Mineral Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $34

Restrictions:

  • Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am. Please be a good neighbor and limit use of generators to no more than one hour at a time.
  • Dogs must be leashed or otherwise physically restrained. Do not leave pets unattended.
  • Check-out time: 12:00 pm; Check-in time: 2:00 pm - if the site is empty, campers may come in anytime.
  • Standard single site occupancy is 8, but a single family with > 8 members is acceptable.
  • Equipment with wheels (RVs, campers, cars) must fit in the parking spur. There is not any overflow parking available.
  • Max RV size = 35 ft

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near South Mineral Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.