Molas Lake Campground — San Juan National Forest

Molas Lake Campground sits at 10,500 feet just off US-550 south of Silverton — one of the most scenically ridiculous campgrounds in the San Juans. The lake reflects the surrounding peaks, and on clear nights the Milky Way is absurd. It’s a legit basecamp for overlanders running the southern leg of the TAT toward Durango or staging for Ophir Pass and Engineer Mountain routes. Sites are mostly open meadow with some tree coverage. Gets busy mid-July through August — arrive early or reserve. Fire restrictions apply frequently at this elevation; check current conditions with the Columbine Ranger District before you light anything.

Access off US-550 is paved to the campground entrance. The road into the campground itself is good gravel — any rig can make it in. Water is available on-site. Snow can linger into late June and return by late September, so the window is real but short. Cell signal is spotty at best from here.

10,500-ft alpine lake camp above Silverton.