We stayed in #19 too in 2019 in mid June. Love this campground and the hike to Ice Lakes. So sad to hear of the destruction of terrain and trash and crowdedness.
As a life long camper, it absolutely kills me to see how completely disrespectful people can be. Growing up in Alaska and camping with my family since I was 2.... the first thing my father taught us was you leave it better than before you came. It's it a simple rule to follow, and it's the only way we can ensure these beautiful areas will be around for generations to come. 😢
We have camped here for 40+ years until 2020. Now we camp off grid. The sites where you mentioned fisherman or trail head parking were our favorite sites. they closed them in 2019 due to flooding each spring. There were about 5 along the river that are no longer available to camp in. We were very sad as we came here every summer. We now camp in Cunningham Gulch on the north side of town past the Old Hundred Mine. Glad you enjoyed your stay, And yes, you are now required to have a timed permit to go to Ice Lake. I am glad we hicked it many times before it got so crazy.
In all the campgrounds I have visited in Colorado, this is my favorite. My wife and I have camped there 9 times over a span of 15 years. In fact we were there just shortly after you filmed this. It was very crowded while we were there and is was disappointing to see how disrespectful some of the people were who came to hike the trail. I love your reviews and look forward to seeing more.
I can see why it is your favorite. Definitely a memorable one out of the 245 we have recorded so far. I probably won't include it in my usual list of recommendations/favorites because I really don't want to add to the problems that come with the crowds.
It's rare when I camp at any site that gets much use and not have to spend a fair amount of time picking up trash. I pray that someday I get to confront some of these aholes.
An excellent article. But I don't know whether to cry or scream ! Certainly one of the most beautiful campgrounds and areas in Colorado. It is regrettable that so many have discovered it. Disneyland. I think the forest would benefit if the entire area would either be closed for a few years, or be designated a Wilderness Area. Great video, Thank You.
@@kevin-flood Wilderness area would be a great idea. I wouldn’t mind a permit system to limit the number of hikers on the trail. Nearly 100 dispersed sites on Rampart Range Rd between Denver and Colorado Springs are going to cost $10/night (I think) starting this year. Broken bottles and trash all over when we were up there last fall. Sad that people don’t respect the land and leave it better than when they arrived. Nothing will be free if we have to hire cleanup crews everywhere.
Destroying mining history is next level ignorance. Modern Colorado history IS mining history. When those ruined structures are gone, that part of Colorado history is lost forever. These self centered people ignorantly kill history.
This is absolutely our favorite campground. Wife and I are so sad to hear about the fire and the lack of respect people have shown to the area. We haven't been able to visit in awhile, but would understand if they closed the campground and limited access to the trail.
Thumbs up on the youtube channel! Nice campground, if not getting up there in price. Definitely support the "Leave No Trace" motto - no matter where the campground is. Part of my gear includes a roll of plastic bags inside a 3 gallon bucket with Gamma Seal top. All of which comes in handy at primitive sites that don't have trash bins or vaulted toilets.
Is that site #14 with the teardrop and yellow tent attached next to Site #15? Can't believe you scored 15 on the water with a fairly full campground! Headed there in Sept.
Thank for all the great info you guys put out ! I'm planning a week long camping trip into the Silverton/Lake City area some time in mid August or Mid September but not sure what month would be best . Any advice would be much appreciated ❤
Campgrounds at elevations above 9,000 ft will likely close the week after Labor Day, so keep that in mind when planning. If you can't go twice, I'd go with mid-September for the changing aspen leaves.
@@natedunn8956 No worries on free camping. They will be open until the snow gets too deep. Next week, I’ll have a video of some free areas 2 miles outside of Silverton.
@@natedunn8956 I am shocked to learn that so many campgrounds with few services are now in the 20 buck plus range per night now. Ridiculous. I prefer dispersed camping anyway though, as I don't like having neighbors and having to put my dogs on leash.
Thank you for such a thorough video on this campground. I’m hoping to snag a spot in June. If we happen to be unlucky do you have recommendations for dispersed nearby?
I would think there would be a chance especially arriving around noon. Plenty of dispersed camping down the road by the Anvil campground if you need a backup plan
I’ve camped on that road many times (w/tent so walk-in sites), stunning area. So sad to hear about the trashing hikers & fire. I’ve stayed at this campground once, Site #5, which is a fantastic site. I’m just curious why people were able to have fires there during the fire ban? It looked like the hosts were getting wood delivered too? Anyway, thanks for the video, hopefully I’ll make it there this year!
During the different stages of fire bans, you can sometimes have a fire in the metal fire ring in a campground but at the same time can't use a rock ring a mile down the road. We've been confused a couple of times. It's a beautiful area. Hope to explore it more someday.
@@CampgroundRecon Yeah, it can be confusing. They must have just lifted the stage 2. There’s a beautiful waterfall on the other side of the creek, South Fork Mineral Creek Falls or just South Mineral Creek :)
@@CampgroundRecon do you use a specific app on your phone or tablet or you just go with the flow and look for spots I'm thinking of going to Durango Silverton area and coming up from the south go up North probably maybe Aspen come all the way around through i-70
@@edadpops1709 Haven't heard for sure. From the looks of the fire map, the view directly across the road from the camp host is probably much different. The views down the valley towards Silverton were not impacted.
We stayed in #19 too in 2019 in mid June. Love this campground and the hike to Ice Lakes. So sad to hear of the destruction of terrain and trash and crowdedness.
I hope they make a reservation system for the trail to cut down on the craziness.
As a life long camper, it absolutely kills me to see how completely disrespectful people can be. Growing up in Alaska and camping with my family since I was 2.... the first thing my father taught us was you leave it better than before you came. It's it a simple rule to follow, and it's the only way we can ensure these beautiful areas will be around for generations to come. 😢
Agree! It is pretty sad how bad this problem has become
Wish we had made this stop on our trip 💚
Thanks for sharing your videos😊
Leave No Trace - Center for Outdoor Ethics. If you are new to the outdoors, please check out their site.
lnt.org
We have camped here for 40+ years until 2020. Now we camp off grid. The sites where you mentioned fisherman or trail head parking were our favorite sites. they closed them in 2019 due to flooding each spring. There were about 5 along the river that are no longer available to camp in. We were very sad as we came here every summer. We now camp in Cunningham Gulch on the north side of town past the Old Hundred Mine. Glad you enjoyed your stay, And yes, you are now required to have a timed permit to go to Ice Lake. I am glad we hicked it many times before it got so crazy.
Glad you got to experience it back then!
Great review. Always look at your reviews before picking a campground. Thanks
Thanks for watching!
You get extra points for hitting a man coming out of the crapper😁
In all the campgrounds I have visited in Colorado, this is my favorite. My wife and I have camped there 9 times over a span of 15 years. In fact we were there just shortly after you filmed this. It was very crowded while we were there and is was disappointing to see how disrespectful some of the people were who came to hike the trail. I love your reviews and look forward to seeing more.
I can see why it is your favorite. Definitely a memorable one out of the 245 we have recorded so far. I probably won't include it in my usual list of recommendations/favorites because I really don't want to add to the problems that come with the crowds.
It's rare when I camp at any site that gets much use and not have to spend a fair amount of time picking up trash. I pray that someday I get to confront some of these aholes.
Excellent video. Been there, thank you.
Best video I’ve seen so far 👍🏽
Thanks! I was feeling creative on that one.
Thank you!
You're Welcome!
Denver Post article about the problems at Ice Lake Trailhead. theknow.denverpost.com/2020/12/14/ice-lakes-trail-damage/250592/
An excellent article. But I don't know whether to cry or scream ! Certainly one of the most beautiful campgrounds and areas in Colorado. It is regrettable that so many have discovered it. Disneyland. I think the forest would benefit if the entire area would either be closed for a few years, or be designated a Wilderness Area. Great video, Thank You.
@@kevin-flood Wilderness area would be a great idea. I wouldn’t mind a permit system to limit the number of hikers on the trail.
Nearly 100 dispersed sites on Rampart Range Rd between Denver and Colorado Springs are going to cost $10/night (I think) starting this year. Broken bottles and trash all over when we were up there last fall. Sad that people don’t respect the land and leave it better than when they arrived. Nothing will be free if we have to hire cleanup crews everywhere.
Destroying mining history is next level ignorance. Modern Colorado history IS mining history. When those ruined structures are gone, that part of Colorado history is lost forever. These self centered people ignorantly kill history.
This is absolutely our favorite campground. Wife and I are so sad to hear about the fire and the lack of respect people have shown to the area. We haven't been able to visit in awhile, but would understand if they closed the campground and limited access to the trail.
Forest Service website is still showing it as closed but they could be slow to update. Last I saw was supposed to be closed until the end of June.
Thumbs up on the youtube channel! Nice campground, if not getting up there in price.
Definitely support the "Leave No Trace" motto - no matter where the campground is. Part of my gear includes a roll of plastic bags inside a 3 gallon bucket with Gamma Seal top. All of which comes in handy at primitive sites that don't have trash bins or vaulted toilets.
Is that site #14 with the teardrop and yellow tent attached next to Site #15? Can't believe you scored 15 on the water with a fairly full campground! Headed there in Sept.
14 & 15 were together in that loop
Sorta reminds me of West Fork CG near Pagosa Springs, but $30 is absolutely ridiculous.
Definitely one of the higher priced Campgrounds. Lots of dispersed camping down the road closer to the highway. but not too close
Thank for all the great info you guys put out ! I'm planning a week long camping trip into the Silverton/Lake City area some time in mid August or Mid September but not sure what month would be best . Any advice would be much appreciated ❤
Campgrounds at elevations above 9,000 ft will likely close the week after Labor Day, so keep that in mind when planning. If you can't go twice, I'd go with mid-September for the changing aspen leaves.
I'm mainly interested in the free camping areas, will they close also the week after labor day weekend ?
@@natedunn8956 No worries on free camping. They will be open until the snow gets too deep. Next week, I’ll have a video of some free areas 2 miles outside of Silverton.
@@natedunn8956 I am shocked to learn that so many campgrounds with few services are now in the 20 buck plus range per night now. Ridiculous. I prefer dispersed camping anyway though, as I don't like having neighbors and having to put my dogs on leash.
@@timthompson8297 I'm right there with ya brother !!
Thank you for such a thorough video on this campground. I’m hoping to snag a spot in June. If we happen to be unlucky do you have recommendations for dispersed nearby?
You'll pass dispersed camping on the way up to South Mineral. Here's a video of the area: czcams.com/video/mKksPrLHiI8/video.html
@@CampgroundRecon awesome thank you!
Question we arrived on a Sunday, would we stand a good chance of getting a spot in June?
I would think there would be a chance especially arriving around noon. Plenty of dispersed camping down the road by the Anvil campground if you need a backup plan
I’ve camped on that road many times (w/tent so walk-in sites), stunning area. So sad to hear about the trashing hikers & fire. I’ve stayed at this campground once, Site #5, which is a fantastic site.
I’m just curious why people were able to have fires there during the fire ban? It looked like the hosts were getting wood delivered too?
Anyway, thanks for the video, hopefully I’ll make it there this year!
During the different stages of fire bans, you can sometimes have a fire in the metal fire ring in a campground but at the same time can't use a rock ring a mile down the road. We've been confused a couple of times.
It's a beautiful area. Hope to explore it more someday.
@@CampgroundRecon Yeah, it can be confusing. They must have just lifted the stage 2. There’s a beautiful waterfall on the other side of the creek, South Fork Mineral Creek Falls or just South Mineral Creek :)
Got a question do you have to buy a day pass or a parking permit to camp at that site at ice lake Thank you
I don't believe you need a parking pass but you should show up very early to get a parking space at the trailhead.
@@CampgroundRecon hey man thanks a lot stay blessed be safe I've been binge watching your CZcams channel I like it very informative
@@CampgroundRecon do you use a specific app on your phone or tablet or you just go with the flow and look for spots I'm thinking of going to Durango Silverton area and coming up from the south go up North probably maybe Aspen come all the way around through i-70
In your experience do you prefer this campground or Amphitheater in Ouray?
South Mineral is my favorite of the two
Do you have an idea of how long it takes to get from this campsite to Ouray?
Just under an hour
Why stay in a campground if you can get free dispersed camping?
Was there cell service?
No cell service at this one
When was this footage shot? What time of year?
September of 2020
Thanks!
I’d rather apply that money to a tent trailer.
Nice campground. So sad how that area was overrun and trashed by people.
Such a beautiful area too. Implementing a permit system would probably be best for the area...
Did the fire ruin campground views.
.
@@edadpops1709 Haven't heard for sure. From the looks of the fire map, the view directly across the road from the camp host is probably much different. The views down the valley towards Silverton were not impacted.
Again, people are no damn good.