Options for camping on public land around Norwood are endless and depend entirely on what you’re looking for.
Are you tent camping, driving an RV or pulling a trailer? Would you prefer to be high up in the alpine or down in a warm canyon? Are you looking for wide open skies to catch the best views of the stars? What about trees from which to hang a hammock? Do you want the sound of a river to put you to sleep? Look no further, here is a list of the best places to camp on Wright’s Mesa and around Norwood, Colorado!
Camping Under The Stars
If wide open skies are what you’re looking for, there’s no better place to catch the majestic Wright’s Mesa sunrises and sunsets than at Miramonte Reservoir. Because Norwood is home to some of the darkest skies in the country, Miramonte Reservoir is one of the best places in Colorado for stargazing. Located 17 miles south of Norwood off Lone Cone Road, sitting at approximately 8,000 feet within the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area, Miramonte Reservoir boasts vast, 360 degree views with Lone Cone Mountain being the main focal point, and offers free developed and undeveloped camping in designated campsites around the lake. Miramonte Reservoir boasts ample tent camping, as well as campsites for large enough to fit RVs, trailers and boats.
Camping In The Forest
Thunder Road
Are you looking to head up to the high country? There are plenty of places to camp within the Uncompahgre National Forest. The closest camping to Norwood is along the Thunder Road Trails, four miles south of town. The campsites along Thunder Road are located within the first loop of the Thunder Trails, among oak brush and Ponderosa forests. Camping within the designated campsites at Thunder Road is free and perfect for tent and small RV and trailer camping.
Getting to Thunder Road is easy! Just head into town, to Norwood’s west side, travel along Highway 145 until it intersects with Aspen Street (County Road 42ZS). Travel south one mile and turn right onto County Road Y43. Travel 1/2 mile and turn left on County Road 41.5Y (see a large brown “National Forest Access” sign). Travel south 1.7 miles (the paved road will turn into gravel), then turn right onto Forest Service Road 609. Follow the National Forest Road for 1.2 miles until the Thunder Trails Trailhead parking area appears on the left. The campsites are located within two miles past the trailhead.
Busted Arm Draw
Another option for one of the best places to camp around Norwood, similar to the Ponderosa forest along Thunder Road is at Busted Arm Draw. Located off Lone Cone Road (County Road 44ZS), 13 miles south of Norwood, Busted Arm Draw sits within oak brush and Ponderosa forests and is another great location for stargazing. Busted Arm Draw features intermittent views of Lone Cone Mountain and offers free camping in designated sites. Dispersed camping can be found within the two mile road and there is plenty of room for tents, RVs and trailers at Busted Arm Draw.
To get to Busted Arm Draw, follow Lone Cone Road (County Road 44ZS) south toward Miramonte Reservoir. After passing the Uncompahgre National Forest sign, the road becomes gravel. Busted Arm Draw, also known as East Naturita Road (Forest Service Road 642) is located about a half mile after the pavement ends on County Road 44ZS.
Beaver Park
As you move higher into the National Forest, you will find a multitude of camping options within previously used campsites along national forest roads in the Beaver Park area below Lone Cone Mountain. Camping in Beaver Park and around Lone Cone Mountain makes for the perfect basecamp for exploration and adventure from hiking, biking, horseback riding and climbing mountains to hunting, fishing and foraging. From here you can grab the 4×4, ATV, UTV or dirt bike and explore everywhere from Norwood to Telluride, Rico, Dunton, Dolores and beyond.
Follow Lone Cone Road (County Road 44ZS) to where it intersects with Beef Trail Road (County Road M44), about a half mile before the pavement ends. Follow Country Road M45 as it zig zags through ranch land to meet up County Road M44. Head east until M44 intersects with Forest Service Road 611. Follow Forest Service Road 611 until you pass the National Forest sign. From there, the camping opportunities are endless.
Uncompahgre Plateau
Alternatively, another great area for camping and exploring the alpine is north of Norwood on the Uncompahgre Plateau between Norwood and Montrose. Access to the Uncompahgre Plateau from Norwood is via Sanborn Park and Davewood Roads. Sanborn Park Road offers dispersed camping in previously used campsites within Ponderosa forests before meeting up with Davewood Road higher up on the Uncompahgre Plateau.
From Norwood, travel east on Highway 145. Sanborn Park Road (County Road 47Z Road) begins in San Miguel Canyon where Highway 145 crosses the San Miguel River at the bottom of Norwood Hill approximately seven miles east of Norwood.
Camping Along The River
San Miguel Canyon
Whether you’re floating the river, fishing or just looking for the ambiance of the river to put you to sleep, two BLM campgrounds, located approximately 10 and 20 minutes east of Norwood along the San Miguel River, offer excellent camping with direct river access. Lower Beaver and Caddis Flats Campgrounds offer free camping within developed campsites as well as parking areas that are large enough to accommodate RV and boat trailer parking. Both Lower Beaver and Caddis Flats Campgrounds are located along Colorado Highway 145 between Norwood and Placerville.
Norwood Canyon
For river camping that is a little more off the beaten path, head down into Norwood Canyon along the San Miguel River. There you will find the Ledges Recreational Area, Ledges Cottonwood and Ledges Rockhouse Campgrounds sitting within groves of cottonwood trees. The Ledges Campgrounds sit below Wright’s Mesa, approximately 40 minutes from Norwood and offer camping for tents and RVs along with direct river access.
Here’s how to get to the Ledges Campgrounds. Travel 18 west of Norwood on Colorado Highway 145 toward Nucla and Naturita. Just after passing the intersection of Highway 145 and 141, turn right onto County Road 90 toward Nucla. Travel north 1.1 miles on CR 90 toward the power plant and turn right at the “Y” intersection across from the power plant. Stay on CR 90 toward Montrose for 6.8 miles till you reach a bridge that crosses over the San Miguel River. Immediately after crossing the bridge, turn right onto the unsigned road that parallels the river. Cottonwood Campground is about 2 miles from the bridge with Rockhouse Campground located one mile after.
For more information on camping around Norwood and Wright’s Mesa, stop by the GMUG National Forest office in Norwood. Click here to visit the GMUG National Forest website or click here for BLM camping information. Need to stock up on food and supplies? Check out our Business Directory for all your camping needs!