Elk Ridge Campground

We spent a week in the full hookup section (Pa Co Chu Puk) and 3 nights in the Elk Ridge section which is electric only. Both were very nice, but the views from up on Elk Ridge were awesome! This state park has so many fun things to do like a swim beach and playgrounds for the kids and miles of hiking and biking trails. The views from the bike rides were some of the most beautiful views ever. It's also en easy drive into Ouray, Telluride and Montrose. Lots to see and do in this area! We loved this campground and would definitely like to return again someday.

Some other information to know is that Verizon did not have a very strong signal at the Pa Co Chu Puk section, but with our booster it worked much better. At Elk Ridge we didn't even need to use the booster, we had a strong 4G signal.

A couple of cons about this place is they don't seem to ever mow the grass. The grass at our sites (especially at Pa Co Chu Puk) was very long. Also as with all CO State Parks they charge an expensive $10 reservation fee, plus either $7/night extra state park fee or you must buy the $70 annual pass. It makes camping at these state parks more expensive than other states we've been to.

There are three sections at Ridgway, each quite different. Elk Ridge is quite high up and heavily wooded. Dakota Terraces is at lower elevation and mostly grass and small shrubs. Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is a few miles away and is very close to the highway, but has full hookups (the others only have 30A electric). We stayed at both Elk Ridge and Dakota Terraces in our motorhome. Both areas have great views and spacious sites, however we found Elk Ridge to be much more attractive than Dakota Terraces. Unfortunately both these areas had the most un-level sites we've encountered in the more than 100 campgrounds and RV parks we've visited, making it impossible to get level even with many blocks under our motorhome's wheels. We were also disappointed in the shower facilities. Most electric-only public campgrounds we've visited offer very good free showers, but Ridgway charges $1 per four minutes. We knew this going in, but were surprised how poorly the showers worked, considering we had to pay for them. There was very low water pressure, with several of the showers we tried just drizzling water out of the shower head. To top things off the campground was full of mice during our visit (the sites are left in a "natural" state, which means tall grass and shrubs) and quite a few made it into our motorhome. We checked with two different camp hosts and they each said they'd caught more than 30 in their RVs so far this season. At Elk Ridge we had very good AT&T data but poor Verizon. At Dakota Terrace both were poor and we needed our booster to get Verizon data to work (we never got AT&T data to work at Dakota Terrace). We found the campground to be beautiful and enjoyed walking the trails and lake with our dog, but the disappointing showers, un-level sites, and mice mean we likely won't return unless we opt to try the full-hookup Pa-co-chu-puk loop.

We stayed up top (Elk Ridge) which is a large expansive campground with some pretty nice views. All the amenities you can think of, plus some nice trails. The swim beach was closed down as the water level was very low late in the season. They allow dogs off leash in the day-use area (1 mile south of the campground entrance).

You can get a good Verizon signal up top in this campground, but not so much at the Pa-Co-Chu_Puk campground up the road.

We enjoyed our stay at Ridgway State Park. We camped in the Elk Ridge section D loop. Lots of easy pull-through sites. There was electric hookups at our site with shared water. Shared water being a place where you can fill your tank. Our site was on the right side of the one way road and our friends camped on the left. They had to pull in facing the road, so their "yard" and picnic table were on the back side of their rig. So, if you are in a camper, I would recommend the outside sites on the right for privacy.

There was a nice laundry facility in one of the bathhouses. The showers a $1.00 for 4 minutes.

Downtown Ridgway has a good brewery, Colorado Boy and several restaurants. On Thursdays in July there is live free music in the town park which was a lot of fun. Just 15 minutes or so from Ouray and great hiking all around.

We loved our stay at Ridgway SP! They're located just 45 min outside Telluride and 5 min from the town of Ridgway. It was fully operational, well-maintained, space between the sites and surrounded by beautiful mountain views. They only have one loop open in the winter and we were one of just a couple campers. Each site has two picnic tables; one covered and one uncovered that's closer to the fire ring. The visitor center is great and the staff was very friendly and helpful. The nature walk from the visitor center is nice and the viewpoint of the reservoir and San Juan Range is stunning!

We stayed at Ridway State Park for seven glorious days. We were in a self-contained RV, so we did not have to use the showers or bathrooms.

The park is very busy during the summer, but we always felt like we were the only ones camping there. It is so quiet at night, no traffic noise or anything to keep you awake.

As with any state park, there is only electric at the sites (at least the one we were at). There is a dump station when you first enter the park with potable water to fill your tanks.

The sites are large with lots of pine trees.

The park has quite a few hiking/biking/running trails - you can pick up a trail map at the visitor center. Of course, the park is hilly - so be prepared to bike/run uphill a lot.

The park is about five minutes into Ridgway and about 15 minutes into Ouray - great location for anything you want to do in that area.

We had EXCELLENT Verizon service, but no TMobile service. We could not pick up any channels with our antenna.

The camp hosts are very visible and they bust their butts there. The park is so big - they have a lot to do with everyone coming in and out each day.

Check out is not until noon which is nice!

Stayed in the Dutch Charlie campground at Elk Ridge D loop in site 80...wow!! Our site overlooked the lake (reservoir) and was nice and private. Shower house was nice...coin showers. Paved roads and paved spots. Lots of accessible sites and walkways for those in need. Visitor center was lovely and helpful (the 2 deer outside were a nice touch!) We unhooked our trailer and drove up and over Owl Pass (4X4 road) and then over to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The next day we drive the Million Dollar highway from Out at to Silverton...beautiful!!

This place was perfect for our family’s first camping trip with our 3 1/2 year old and 11 month old daughters. We were in such a quiet area with great camp hosts and neighbors. Lots to do within the park and gorgeous Ouray is just a quick drive away. We’ll absolutely be coming back, hopefully for a week next time!

Found this state park on accident over 20 years ago. It has been on our every other year schedule ever since. Sites are well spaced. We always stay in the Elk Ridge Campground. Since we only stay for about 4 nights, we do not need full hook-ups, but the electric is nice to have. Look for a site on the outer loop if you have a trailer or RV. That way your door does not face the road.

This state park makes a great base camp to explore the surrounding area. No shortage of place to see or activities to do.

We camped at Elk Ridge and then moved down to Dakota Terraces because we couldn't get a single spot for our entire stay. The state park is very nice with lots to do, fishing, water sports, boating, hiking, etc. It's also close to Ridgeway, Ouray and Montrose.

Generally, Elk Ridge has good sites for all size of rigs and most were level or level enough. 30 amp power, plenty of community water spigots and a free dump station down the hill. Sites offer tables, fire rings and some have shade structures too. Plus, there is a cell tower in the campground making for blazing fast data speeds.

On the downside, Colorado state parks are pricey at $32 for electric only plus the $8 daily entry fee. But around Ridgeway, the RV parks are much more. They also charge for showers too. And from Elk Ridge, there is no lake access. But overall we enjoyed our stay.