Ridgway State Park
HIGHLIGHTS
Perfect camping location to access the San Juans, Telluride, Ouray & Silverton. Great cell signal in the Elk Ridge campground (NOT Dakota Terraces).
GATEWAY TO THE SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS
We called Ridgway State Park (the Dakota Terraces Campground) home for twelve days and enjoyed every single one of them. The camp spots were spread out enough to have privacy and surrounded by brush and trees. Our spot came with a pavilion structure, picnic table and inset fire ring with grill which we used almost every day to cook meals over the fire. Also convenient is access to water spigots close to your rig to fill up when needed. Sites only provide power in Dakota Terraces so take note.
The park has numerous hikes, one of which overlooks the Ridgway Reservoir; these are the views you come to this part of Colorado for. We spent time down by the reservoir with the kids, stacking rocks and taking in the beautiful scenery.
It is a short drive into the small town of Ridgway. Since the cell signal was so poor at Dakota Terraces we spent most weekdays in the town, at the park. The kids homeschooled on a blanket under the trees and I worked on my laptop at the picnic tables. Restaurants and funky shops are all a minute walk away from the town center. Honestly, we would live here year-round were we to settle down. It’s just that perfect.
What makes Ridgway State Park so perfect though is it’s location as a gateway to the San Juan Mountains. That means reasonably short drives (20-50 minutes) and you’re in Ouray, Silverton or Telluride; traveling down the Million Dollar Highway or topping out on Last Dollar Road. There’s simply so much to see around this area and so many outdoor activities right at your finger tips. Ridgway State Park makes that accessible and at a really reasonable cost.
