first time festival goer…what are the camping situation outside of town. are there plenty of camping options? and about how far ?
Camping outside of Telluride during Bluegrass can be pretty tough.
http://www.bluegrass.com/telluride/camping-nonPB.html
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gmug/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=71922&actid=29
Most of the official forest service campgrounds within driving distance are often fully occupied by the RV crowd all summer anyway, and you could be facing a significant drive each morning and night. I’ve known folks who camped at Alta Lakes during the fest, but there are only 16 sites there and I’m not sure there is a water supply or anything other than a vault toilet up there.
Thanks for the info. 1st timers this year. cant wait!
the problem is getting to and from your out of town camping site to the festival. parking in mountain village during the day and taking the gondola is an option, and sometimes you can find space at society corner and take the bus, but bring hefty backpacks and be prepared to carry in alot of gear every day, warm clothes, chairs etc, becuase you are not getting back to the car mid day.
good thoughts. from outta state and never been to telluride area. is it safe to plan about an hour from getting in to mountain village with gondola ride and getting to festival? im assuming town will be jam packed
and on one other thought… i have to claim ignorance when i chose my username…i had know idea about telluride tom existed :cheers. for that i apologize :cheers
Possibly a line waiting to park in Mountain Village. Park. Walk to gondola admiring the view the entire way there (and make a few new friends). Wait in line for gondola (and make a few new friends). Ride gondola (and make a few new friends). Come out of gondola house, turn right, walk to Box Office (and make a few new friends). Possible line to pick up tickets (hey! time enough to make new friends!). Walk path to entrance gate. Pass through customs. Walk onto fest grounds, get shivers, scout out spot for the day, possibly seeing new friends who wave you over. Settle in for the day. Grin really, Really, REALLY BIG!
Yeah, about an hour should do it from vehicle to FESTIVVVAAALLL!!!. :thumbsup
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
Not only will town be jam packed, but you can’t even drive into Telluride during Festival without a local license plate or a Town of Telluride vehicle access pass (which you would come with a condo rental, for example). So parking in town is not an option for almost everyone. There is plenty of parking in Mountain Village and the free and scenic gondola ride is a great way to access town and the festival. So your in and out times will depend on where you find a camp site. You should look for a pair of Lawson or Illium camping passes on this Forum or on the note board by the box office once you arrive - if you can find official camping passes, you’ll save tons of driving and travel time, as well as make, like, a thousand new friends.
We still have camping available at Mary E. Illium, Lawson Hill, and the High School.
I camped at Mary E my first two years and loved it. Mary E is closer to real camping than any of the other camps, but you can still find plenty of parties. The shuttle rides are great as well. No one wants to drive after a full day of festivating. If you’re in Mary E, no one in your group needs to act as DD and miss out on the fun. The shuttle drivers have your back!
Well there you go! Camping at any of those locations is excellent. Grab some tickets for High School camping, T-Tran, and you’ll waste no time driving every morning and night, and you’ll be close enough to the Fest to run back to camp for a snack or another layer or whatever. Not to mention all those new friends…
Thanks for the heads-up, Dustin.
Just a reminder that the High School camping has restrictions of No Smoking and No Alcohol. There is also quite time in the evening.
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
As most people have mentioned, the official campgrounds provide a great level of convenience & time savings which really can’t be underestimated … especially if you haven’t attended before.
However, I will say this: if you’re one to relish being reclusive and finding your own spot with very few neighbors, I can also see how “outside camping” would have an appeal vs. wall to wall tent city in some of the campgrounds. Then again, this communal aspect is what some find appealing.
Regardless, if you’re going to be driving back somewhere after the festival ends, not only should there be a designated driver, but be great care taken watching for wildlife on the roads!
VERY good point. The elk are on the move that time of year. Massive creatures that can really do a lot of damage. Just ask the local Marshall what happened to his SUV.
Auntie Hope :festivarian2 :green
WOW! all you festivarians are so nice! can’t wait to meet you all and call you a friend. Thanks for all the info…really helpful. Did i hear somebody say BACON?
ANOTHER thing if you do not have 4 day passes- I think I see you looking for just sat and sundays- the only campground that you can do is LAWSON… Tell me what your exact ticket needs are … ALso, if you want your vehicle for some reason and you want to camp at Illium I know where there is an Illium vehicle pass or two
No apology necessary. Your name is unique in it’s own way. :wave
I’m sure you’re going to have a blast. Welcome to the family. :cheers
we are camping at either: woods lake (1/2 hour from telluride)
incredibly beautiful
lots of large campsites
listening to the festival on KOTO radio
(except going into the festival on thursday)
doing free music at elks park
nightgrass options
biking, hiking, fishing
or: sunshine campground
10 minutes from mt.village
very beautiful
much smaller than woods lake
VERY SADLY NO BLUEGRASS FANATIC FRIENDS…
anyone interested in this low cost option?
do you think there will still be cam sites available at either woods lake or sunchine on thurs or fri? wont be down in that area til then. got a room sat and sun…oh yeah. thanks for all the info everybody. i might need a designated walker…any volunteers?
I would say the chances are slim…