Guide to Alta Lakes – Telluride, Colorado

A travel guide for Alta Lakes, Telluride – with info about camping, things to do, and how to get there (make sure your car can handle the rocky road!)

Alta Lakes is a gorgeous area near Telluride, Colorado, with three alpine lakes nestled high in the San Juan Mountains. It’s just outside of the old ghost town of Alta, sitting at 11,300 feet (3444 m) above sea level. With a campground, hiking trails, and so much to do, Alta Lakes is a must visit if you’re in Telluride.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know before you go – information about the road to get there (it’s not for everybody/every car!), things to do in the area, where to stay, and how to prepare to visit Alta Lakes.

Head’s up: some of these links are affiliate links, so I get a commission if you make a purchase (at no cost to you). But that’s great, because I was going to share anyway, and this helps me keep making free guides for you!

Directions to Alta Lakes, Telluride

If you’re flying in for your trip, the closest airport is in Telluride (TEX). It’s just 10 minutes from the heart of both Telluride and Mountain Village.

Expedia is a good way to find flights and rental cars, and I super recommend signing up for Going – they send you amazing deals, so you can find cheap flights. The free account is great and totally worth the few minutes it takes to sign up, and I do recommend the premium account too!

There’s a shuttle from the airport and the small town of Telluride is very walkable and has a good bus system, but you will need a car to drive to Alta Lakes. If you fly, you can rent a car through Discover Cars or Rental Cars. But, a great alternative to a rental car is a tiny home on wheels! With a camper van, you get a vehicle and a place to sleep, all in one! This is my favorite way to travel, and you can rent a fully decked out van with Escape Campervans. Another option for vans is to use Outdoorsy, which is more like Airbnb for campers – you can rent a van, RV, or trailer from a person in the area.

To get to Alta Lakes from Telluride, you’ll drive west of town towards Mountain Village. Take a left onto CO-45, then after about 5 miles (8km), there will be a left turn onto Alta Lakes Road, which is a dirt road. This road is rough and bumpy, so make sure to read the next section to help you decide if your car can handle it! You’ll take the dirt road all the way up, pass the Alta ghost town, and continue to the Alta Lakes Campground.

Even if you aren’t camping, this is the best place to park to see Alta Lakes!

Alta Lakes Campground Coordinates: 37.88459703, -107.84666182

The Road to Alta Lakes

The first thing you should know before deciding to take a trip to Alta Lakes is that the road to get up there is pretty rough. It’s about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of dirt road, and it’s very narrow in places, with steep drop offs, and portions of it are very rocky.

I drove up to Alta Lakes in a 2WD Ram Promaster van – I made it up just fine, and didn’t think the road was too terrible, but there were definitely portions of the road where I had to go really slow, maneuver around big rocks, and one section that had me gripping the steering wheel. In my opinion (and remember, think about your experience, ability, and comfort level – I’m not responsible for decisions made after reading this guide!), in the summer when the road is dry and there’s no snow or ice, this road is fine for 2WD vehicles if you have experience driving on dirt roads and are fairly comfortable with it. But, clearance is what’s going to be important for this road – my van has 6.5 inches of clearance, and I wouldn’t recommend doing this one with anything lower.

If you’re coming to Alta Lakes when the road still has snow or ice on it, that’s a different story – I definitely wouldn’t attempt that in a 2WD vehicle. The road to Alta Lakes closes for the winter, and is usually open April through October. But, the snow usually doesn’t melt until at least mid June, so I’d recommend waiting until the road is clear and conditions are good. The road is rough enough without adding snow or mud to the mix!

Another thing to keep in mind is that the road is narrow, and in some spots only wide enough for one car. The sketchiest portions of Alta Lakes Road are close to the beginning – there are a few sections that are very narrow, with a steep dropoff on your right. This road is not recommended for trailers, RVs, or buses.

If you’re driving on Alta Lakes Road, take it slow, and remember that cars going uphill have the right of way.

The Best Time to Visit Alta Lakes, Telluride

Alta Lakes is open year round, but the road isn’t! Visiting in the summer is definitely the most popular option, because of the warm weather, and the fact that Alta Lakes Road is open. The best time visit Alta Lakes for most people will be late June through early October, as this is when the weather is best and the road is open.

Anytime outside of this range, and you can expect snow on the road and at the lake! You can still visit Alta Lakes, but when the road is closed, you’ll need to snowshoe or take a snowmobile. Early in the season, when the road opens, there might still be snow, so make sure you have 4wd and can make it up the road safely. Keep in mind that Alta Lakes is at a higher elevation than the town of Telluride, so it gets colder as you go up.

Leave No Trace at Alta Lakes

Anytime you’re outdoors, it’s essential that you practice Leave No Trace (LNT). LNT is a set of seven principles that help us understand our impact on the outdoors – because while we usually have good intentions, the environment is more fragile than we think, and one snap-second decision can cause damage to the environment that will take the earth years, even decades to repair. This is a pretty popular hike, so it’s super important to make sure to prevent damage!

Leave No Trace means enjoying the outdoors without disrupting nature, as much as it’s possible to do so. Here are the 7 principles of LNT, and how they apply when you visit Alta Lakes!

• Plan ahead and prepare – make sure your vehicle can handle the road, know what to expect when you get here, and bring all the gear you’ll need.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces – stay on trails and don’t take any shortcuts, as this causes erosion, kills plant life, and damages trails. Camp only in designated spots.
• Dispose of waste properly – don’t leave trash, or anything else, behind. Pack it out!
• Leave what you find – I know it can be tempting to take a cool rock or leaf, but leave these things where they belong! Animals often use these, and if everyone takes one, the area won’t be as pretty.
• Minimize campfire impacts – campfires are allowed in the fire rings at campsites, but check to see if there’s a burn ban first.
• Respect wildlife – don’t approach wild animals, and never feed them.
• Be considerate of other visitors – be respectful – no speakers or loud music. If you’re camping, if you must use a generator, do it during the day time.

Things to Do at Alta Lakes

Alta Lakes is such a good place for an outdoor getaway, because there’s so much to do! Here are some things to do at Alta Lakes, Telluride.

Camping at Alta Lakes

Camping at Alta Lakes is a beautiful experience, allowing you to stay close to the water (but not too close – you should always be at least 100 feet away from water when camping!). The Alta Lakes Campground is a free campground, and this is where you can camp. Make sure to stay at the established sites – they have signs!

There are port a potties at the Alta Lakes campground, and some of the campsites have fire rings and picnic tables. There are no other amenities, so make sure to pack out your trash and keep it clean.

Hiking at Alta Lakes

There’s a small system of unmarked trails that go around the lakes. I highly recommend taking a walk from the campground (which is at Lower Alta Lake) to the other two. The third lake, which is only accessible by foot is the most scenic, with a waterfall cascading into it, as well as a red phone booth on the shore (for some reason, but it’s cool and interesting to see!). These trails aren’t marked, but if you follow along the shore of each lake, you’ll see where the trails go and will find all three lakes easily./

There is also a sign for the Alta Trail just before the entrance to the campground – this short trail leads to the ghost town. It’s not much of a trail, as it’s very narrow, muddy, and basically a creek in some places, but walking downhill through the meadow is more scenic than taking the road!

Though the trails at Alta Lakes aren’t officially marked, I still recommend having All Trails handy, as this allows you to see the trails on a map.

Alta Ghost Town

You’ll pass Alta, an old abandoned ghost town, on the drive up to Alta Lakes. Gold, silver, copper, and lead was mined here, and you can still see the remains of the abandoned town. There are some buildings that are still standing, and some ruins. I highly recommend stopping on the drive up, or walking down to it later.

Paddle boarding and Kayaking

Getting out on the water is a fun way to experience Alta Lakes. There’s no boat launch, but there are several spots at Lower Alta Lake where you can get in the water. I have an inflatable paddle board, and it was so fun to take it out at sunset.

Gold King Basin

Just before the Alta Lakes Campground, as you’re driving, there’s a sign that points straight for Alta Lakes, and to the right for Gold King Basin. I definitely recommend going to see Gold King Basin too – it’s absolutely stunning, with mountains surrounding a small lake. You can drive there, but you need a little more clearance than Alta Lakes Road. You can also camp there, but there’s only a couple of spots – if you’re lucky enough to get there first, you’ll have a much more private campsite than you would at the Alta Lakes Campground. You can also just walk there from Alta Lakes – it’s under a mile.

What to Bring to Alta Lakes

Here’s what you’ll need to bring when you’re exploring at Alta Lakes!

What to Wear at Alta Lakes

• Bathing Suit – the water at Alta Lakes is pretty cold – but if you’re a fan of cold plunges, bring a bathing suit! My favorite swimsuits are from Tomboyx.
• Sun Shirt – this is my favorite thing to wear on outdoor adventures, as it provides sun protection while keeping you cool. I like the Mountain Hardware Crater Lake Hoodie, and the REI Sahara Shade Hoodie.
• Layers – it gets chilly in the evenings, so a lightweight windbreaker or a fleece is a good idea. For cold weather, a down jacket will keep you warm.
• Hiking Shoes – I prefer hiking in sandals and usually hike in my Chacos, but boots are a good idea if you need more ankle support. I love my Danner boots!

What to Bring to Alta Lakes

• Water – water is a must, always – and bring extra for desert hikes. I usually bring my 2L hydration pack on hikes, along with a Nalgene water bottle that I put electrolytes in.
• Sunscreen – no matter the time of year, make sure to protect yourself from the sun. Being at high altitude means the sun is extra intense!

What to Bring for Camping at Alta Lakes

There are a few campsites along the trail, so this can be a fun, easy backpacking trip!

• Tent – somewhere to sleep! I love my super light Big Agnes Tiger Wall tent, and I also use a footprint to keep the bottom safe & dry.
• Sleeping Bag – I use a quilt instead, and I love the Revelation Quilt from Enlightened Equipment.
• Sleeping Pad – an essential for a comfy night of sleep! I use a Therm-a-Rest pad.
• Camp Stove – there’s nothing like having a hot meal at camp. I use an MSR Pocket Rocket stove, which is incredibly small, along with this GSI Cookset.
• Water Filter – you’ll need water to drink and for cooking, and instead of carrying it all in, you can filter water from the lake. The Sawyer Squeeze is a great filter, and I use a CNOC Vecto for collecting water.

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Where to Stay Near Alta Lakes

Telluride is a great Colorado mountain town for a little getaway, so here are the best places to stay while you’re here!

Alta Lakes Camping

Of course, there’s the Alta Lakes Campground. There are also a few pullouts on the road on the way up, but you’ll definitely want to make sure that you aren’t on private property, and you can find campsites on public land just outside of Telluride.

For camping near Telluride, I recommend using The Dyrt – it’s the best way to find campsites. You can use the free version to find campsites, but with The Dyrt Pro you’ll also be able to see the boundaries of national forest land just outside of town. You can stay right in town in one of the paid campsites, or, in the national forest, you can camp just about anywhere for free! You can try The Dyrt before you commit, so click here for a free trial.

There are plenty of options for free camping near Telluride – so check out this guide to learn how to find free campsites!

Alta Lakes Observatory

Next to the third lake, there’s a private backcountry cabin. The Alta Lakes Observatory is a unique place to stay, and is one of just a few homes in the United States that sit at over 11,000 feet! The Observatory gives you access to Alta Lakes, to the Telluride Ski Resort, and is an incredible getaway.

Telluride Hotels

Telluride has lots of hotels, inns, and lodges that make for a convenient place to stay in town.

Some options for places to stay:

• Mountain Lodge Telluride – a gorgeous lodge surrounded by mountains.
• New Sheridan Hotel – a historic hotel in downtown Telluride.
• The Victorian Inn – a charming, cozy hotel close to trails and attractions in town.

For more options, check out this map of places to stay. Make sure to change the dates, and zoom out to see all of your options!

Cabins, Glamping, & Yurts

For a unique place to stay during your trip, check out Hipcamp! It’s like Airbnb for campsites – and you can find yurts, cabins (like this yurt), glamping sites, and more. 

You can even get $10 off your first booking here!

A Camper van

With a camper van, you get a vehicle and a place to sleep, all in one! This is my favorite way to travel, and you can rent a fully decked out van with Escape Campervans. Another option is to use Outdoorsy, which is more like Airbnb – you can rent vans, RVs, and trailers from people who live nearby!

More Adventures Near Alta Lakes

Have you been to Alta Lakes, or are you adding it to your bucket list? Let me know in a comment below!

Ouray is another mountain town that’s nearby, and I recommend hiking the Ouray Perimeter Trail or the Chief Ouray Mine Trail.

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