San Juan National Forest

USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-4874

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
970-385-1257

South Fork of Mineral Creek. Photo by Laurie Robison, San Juan NF.

Location

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.

Facilities

Picnic tables, composting vault toilets, fire grates, trash disposal, potable water. No electricity. Operated by concessionaire.

Attractions & Considerations

The campground has 26 sites that are mostly level, at 9,800 feet. Some sites are handicapped accessible. Several camping loops and well-spaced sites offer plenty of privacy. Spruce and fir give lots of shade, but there are some sunny sites. A few sites are along the creek, and some have large parking areas.

Dispersed camping along Forest Rd. 585 is allowed only in designated camping areas. Please follow posted directions and instructions.

Nearby peaks have cliffs of brilliant color-contrasting reds and grays. A waterfall on the creek just upstream from the campground adds to the attraction of the area.

There are a number of recreational activities in this area. For those in search of fishing, Clear Lake is a 3-mile hike north of the campground, and Ice Lake is a strenuous, steep, and popular 3-mile hike west. Mineral Creek is another option.

Four-wheel-drive roads lead in all directions from Silverton. North of South Mineral Creek, near Red Mountain Pass, routes lead west off U.S. Highway 550 to Ophir Pass and Black Bear Pass. These roads are also suitable for mountain biking and landscape photography.

Map of Area