Hi
We are planning to tent camp one night near Ouray and one near Mesa Verde in early June. Looking for campground suggesions. Also what is the expected temperature at night in June. Might it even snow in Ouray? Thanks.

It depends on what you want.

There is a campground in town on the river and a KOA on the same river north of town.

There is a national forest c.g. just south of town called Ampitheatre which is supposed to be nice.

About 15 miles of town is Ridgeway State Park which is large, scenic and has nice facilities.

About 15 miles east of there is Silver Jack c.g. I have never seen it but keep reading about it being very scenic. Some of the scenes of True Grit were filmed there. There are no facilities but you could go over to Ridgway S.P. , pay the small entry fee and take showers.

Mesa Verde itself has a campground, but if you're looking for someplace potentially cooler, Target Tree is a national forest campground just off Highway 160. The downside is that it doesn't have many amenities, and it's 10 or 15 miles east of the Mesa Verde entrance station.

If you plan to finish your visit to MV, then set up camp, you might also consider camping in the La Plata Mountains, around 25 miles east of MV on 160. You would turn north at Hesperus toward Mayday, then drive past the paved road on a good dirt road (no 4WD needed). A little way up the canyon, to your left, is the Kroeger Campground, or just set up camp on your own. La Plata Canyon is cool, lush, and beautiful, a well- kept secret. (Oops!)

If you're going all the way to Durango, there's a KOA campground north of town on the Animas River. The Junction Creek Campground is another national forest facility just outside of Durango at the beginning of the Colorado trail. It can be reached by turning west off Main Street / Highway 550 onto 25th street, which becomes Junction Creek Road.

The forecast for this week in Ouray is upper 60's during the day, upper 30's at night. Check the weather channel before you go. I imagine in early June, it might be a little warmer.

Thank you for replying. I had a feeling travellyn might reply because I have read many useful suggestions from her (his) posts regarding SW Colorado. The Ouray choices all sound good.
We are stopping in Ouray, in Mesa Verde, and then heading west to the Grand Canyon. So am wondering about the campground in or near MV park or to the west of there, instead of to the east. It sounds like that area is not comfortably cool. Could you tell me the approx June temperatures in Mesa Verde? Also do you need reservation this time of year on a weekend in these campgrounds. Thanks

With your itenerary, I'd plan on camping in the park itself. High temperatures will be in the 80-90 range in the afternoon, but I'd expect nights to be quite cool, mid thirties to forties. Mornings and early evenings should be especially pleasant. Although it really is a "dry heat" in the day, the sun is so intense that it feels hotter. Loose, light colored, long sleeved shirts, hats, and plenty of water can really help.

The campground is first come, first served and has around 400 sites. I heard a few years ago that it had only filled once, and that may be an overestimate. Most people just go for the day, so by 6pm, the park seems like a different place.

I've never camped in the park because our house is not far from the entrance station, but it's something my husband and I keep saying we'll do. I've heard it's an especially nice experience to be there from dusk till dawn.

Thank you for the reply.

To clarify why I wouldn't look for a cooler campground than at Mesa Verde:

1) Mesa Verde probably won't be too hot in early June, and

2) Anything west of Mesa Verde is going to be lower and hotter till you get to Flagstaff or the North Rim.

Have a great time!

Have been to Mesa Verde twice in recent years. Stayed in the park once and once in Cortez. Nights were cool. Will also be cool in Ouray at night but chance of snow is slight. You will see snow on the ground when you go over the 10000 feet plus passes going from Ouray to Durango. Consider a visit to Monument Valley on your trip from Mesa Verde to the Gr. Canyon. When you get to Kayenta on rt. 160 you will be 25 miles south of Monument Valley. The drive to the valley is scenic as is the valley itself.

We appreciate the suggestions. We plan to camp at one of the three Ouray campgrounds and at Mesa Verde. We have never camped at a KOA before and wonder how tent friendly they are. We are driving to the South rim after MV and planning to each put all four of our limbs in the four corners and then may make the detour into Monument Valley. It sounds worth it. We thought about camping there instead of Mesa Verde but probably won't. Thanks again.

One of my favorite camping spots ever is the KOA just north of Durango. Right on the river. Just beautiful. It would be a great base to use to visit both Mesa Verde and Ouray.
I've tent camped in Mesa Verde too. Basic campground.
Drive carefully in the park. One of the very few traffic tickets I've ever gotten was from the overzealous park superintendent at 7am. He said I did "rolling stop" coming out of a parking lot. The guy was a jerk. Another park guest pulled over behind me because he was concerned about two women being pulled over "for no reason". Our two cars were the only cars in the area. I appreciated his Good Samaritian attitude, but even his verification that I stopped at the sign in the parking lot didn't help.
In any case, I love Mesa Verde. I adore SW Colorado (especially in winter). Enjoy the trip.
(Nights will be cool)