How much does camping cost at Matterhorn?

Camping fees at Matterhorn range from $26-$40/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Matterhorn first-come first-served or reservation?

Matterhorn accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Matterhorn before I book?

Yes! Matterhorn has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Matterhorn?

Matterhorn is open May 17 to September 30. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Matterhorn?

Yes, Matterhorn has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Matterhorn have?

Matterhorn has 28 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Matterhorn?

Yes, pets are allowed at Matterhorn. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Matterhorn?

Matterhorn offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Sewer Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Matterhorn?

Popular activities at Matterhorn include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Matterhorn

4.33

253 reviews

UNCOMPAHGRE NATIONAL FOREST, MONTROSE, CO 81402, USA

Featured in:Tent Camping Colorado

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

8,500 ft

Price

$26 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open from June 1 to ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Recreation Resource Management of America Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

8,500 ft

Price

$26 - $40/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

28 campsites

Season

Open from June 1 to ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Full HookupsShowers

Book on Recreation Resource Management of America Official Website

Get Directions

Matterhorn

$26.00 - $40.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD ELECTRIC: $40.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $26.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $26.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online /...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

970-249-4552camping@rrmofa.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

UNCOMPAHGRE NATIONAL FOREST, MONTROSE, CO 81402, USA

Matterhorn

UNCOMPAHGRE NATIONAL FOREST, MONTROSE, CO 81402, USA

Nearby places

Telluride, CO (7 miles, approximately 15-minute drive)

Mountain Village, CO (10 miles, approximately 20-minute drive)

Montrose, CO (approximately 2 hours by road)

Weather at Matterhorn

Best Time to Camp at Matterhorn

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the best balance of mild daytime temperatures (typically mid-50s to mid-60s°F) and cool, clear nights (around 35–40°F), making it perfect for camping at 8,500 ft. Trails, bike routes, and high alpine fishing are all in peak condition, wildflowers are abundant in late June–July, and long daylight hours favor full days of hiking or backcountry exploration. Expect busiest weekends in July and early August, with noticeably quieter campsites in late June and Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season (June–Sept): best access, trails, biking and fishing; many positive summer reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 17 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from June 1 to September 30, weather permitting. Reservations are available from June 25 to September 13, with first-come, first-served availability for the remainder of the season.

About Matterhorn

Matterhorn sits at 8,500 feet in the San Juan Mountains along the route between Telluride and Cortez. Operated by Recreation Resource Management of America within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest, this small campground offers full hookups for RVs and tent sites with flush toilets and showers. Summer brings wildflowers, alpine fishing, and access to high-country trails and bike routes, though CO-145 runs close enough that road noise is a consistent presence.

Matterhorn Campground accommodates a variety of camping styles, including tent sites, RV sites with hookups, and walk-in tent sites for a more secluded experience.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable access and the best balance of mild daytime temperatures (typically mid-50s to mid-60s°F) and cool, clear nights (around 35–40°F), making it perfect for camping at 8,500 ft. Trails, bike routes, and high alpine fishing are all in peak condition, wildflowers are abundant in late June–July, and long daylight hours favor full days of hiking or backcountry exploration. Expect busiest weekends in July and early August, with noticeably quieter campsites in late June and Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation8500 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAspen groves and conifers wrap around the campground loop, creating pockets of shade and filtered light. Outer sites back into denser forest. Inner sites tend to be more open. The San Juan peaks rise in jagged ridgelines beyond the trees. Pink at sunrise, gray-blue at dusk. Deer wander through camp most mornings. Black bears pass through often enough that food storage matters. Elevation is real here: nights drop to 35-40°F even in summer, and wildflowers peak in late June through July.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not offer hotel-style lodging facilities. However, nearby Telluride offers dining, lodging options, and cultural experiences.

Programs & ActivitiesWhile the campground itself doesn’t offer cultural programs, nearby Telluride provides museums, galleries, and other cultural experiences.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 7 nights per visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One camping unit per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov or its app, and through the contact center.

AccessibilitySome sites are accessible, and the campground layout allows for easy navigation even for first-time visitors.

Site SizeThe campground offers a mix of site sizes, from walk-in tent sites to large RV sites with full hookups. Specific site recommendations include 'Spot 18 was our favorite,' and 'Site 27...was on the perimeter and felt very private.

PrivacySites vary in privacy, with perimeter sites offering more seclusion, such as 'Most of the campsites on the outside of the circle are fairly private.

Total Campsites28 campsites

Recommended SitesFor tent campers, walk-in sites offer better views and privacy. Electric hookup sites #24, #25, #26 are ideal for RVs. Reserving outer-loop sites reduces road noise.

Best CampsitesSites 7, 18, 19, 21, 24, and 27 show up in reviews. Site 18 gets mentioned as a favorite. Site 27 sits on the perimeter with strong privacy. Most outer-loop sites offer better seclusion than the inner ring. Site 1 reportedly works well for Starlink if you need connectivity.

Need help booking Matterhorn?

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Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Matterhorn Campground offers a comprehensive range of amenities, appealing to various camping needs. It features single-family sites equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Some sites are accessible, while others include full RV hookups. Flush and vault toilets, drinking water, showers, and trash collection are provided. Visitors particularly appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities, as highlighted in reviews such as 'Bathrooms were clean. Four campsites around us were very loud, with loud music and talking to 1:30am.' Additionally, 'Great campsite with electricity, flush toilets, and free showers.'

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Sewer hookups

Flush toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Matterhorn Campground provides a plethora of recreational activities, leveraging its proximity to trails, wilderness areas, and scenic spots. Popular activities include hiking the Galloping Goose Trail and exploring nearby Trout Lake. Wildlife viewing is common, and fishing opportunities abound in the area.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

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Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

253 reviews

Recommended

Matterhorn is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Matterhorn Campground consistently receives positive reviews, with an average sentiment rating of 4.43. Key themes include praise for cleanliness, helpful hosts, and scenic views.

Review Summaries

Based on 253 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviews frequently commend the campground's cleanliness ('The bathrooms were clean throughout my stay'), scenic beauty ('Beautiful views, nice tree cover'), and host attentiveness ('Host was friendly...

Based on 253 reviews

Common Concerns

Some complaints include road noise ('The downside is that sometimes the main road adjacent to the campsite gets loud from traffic'), inconsistent water availability ('Chlorinator was broken so no...

Based on 253 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews include: - Site 7: 'Had no trees and was situated next to the bath house, it was really quiet and peaceful.' - Site 27: 'On the perimeter and felt very private.' - Site 18: 'Our...

Based on 253 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips from users include choosing perimeter sites for privacy, bringing extra water in case of issues, and utilizing the free gondola to explore Telluride.

Based on 253 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are the most popular, with many reviews praising activities like hiking and fishing. Early season visitors have reported water access issues, while winter visitors enjoy nearby skiing...

Based on 253 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'This place is a dream. Every campground site is surrounded by Aspens and a fantastic view.' - 'Bathrooms and hot showers! Was the best and VERY clean.' - 'Host Sue was amazing. She helped us with...

Based on 253 reviews

Accessibility Features

Sites are accessible with well-maintained facilities. Hosts are frequently noted for their helpfulness, such as 'Host Sue was amazing. She helped us with everything.'

Based on 253 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, with one user stating 'They were very nice to my dog Mason.' Another noted the camp host's off-leash dog tried to bite their leashed dog.

Based on 253 reviews

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