State: Colorado
Open: Seasonal
Number of Sites: 26
Elevation: 9839
County: San Juan
Free: No
About: South Mineral Campground is accessed by turning off U.S. Highway 550, about 3 miles west of Silverton, onto Forest Rd. 585, which heads west along South Mineral Creek. The campground is 4 miles off the highway and has 26 mostly level sites. Several camping loops and well-spaced sites are mostly shaded, but some are sunny. A few are next to the creek, and some have large parking areas. The Ice Lake Basin Trail, a strenuous, steep, and popular hike, begins across the road from the campground. It leads up above timberline to high alpine lakes surrounded by meadows of wildflowers and rocky peaks. Please stay on the trail to avoid steep, dangerous dropoffs. Dispersed camping along Forest Rd. 585 is allowed only in designated camping areas. Follow posted directions and instructions. The road to the campground is drivable by 2WD, but not far after the campground, it becomes 4WD. Driving off- road is prohibited, but many other 4WD roads in the Silverton area are open to motorized use.
Fees: na
Usage: Heavy
Water: Potable Water
Restrooms: Vault Toilets
Directions: South Mineral Campground is the last developed camping area along U.S. Highway 550 on the San Juan National Forest. Two miles west of Silverton, Forest Road 585 heads west along the creek, four miles to the campground entrance. The road to the campground is driveable by 2WD, but not far after the campground, it becomes 4WD. Driving off-road is prohibited, but many other 4WD roads in the Silverton and Red Mountain Pass areas are open to motorized use.