Sunshine campground
Sunshine
Reservations are not accepted at Sunshine Camping Area, making it a first-come, first-served campground. It is advised to arrive early to secure a spot, especially during peak seasons. The best time to visit this camping area is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant, and activities like hiking and fishing are at their prime. However, it is important to note that the campground can get crowded during weekends and holidays, so planning ahead is recommended.
While enjoying the serene beauty of Sunshine Camping Area, campers should be cautious of the local wildlife, such as bears and mountain lions, and take appropriate measures to secure food and garbage. Additionally, it is essential to follow all fire safety guidelines and respect the campground rules to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. With its scenic views, convenient amenities, and recreational opportunities, Sunshine Camping Area in Colorado is an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts seeking a peaceful camping experience.
What's on-site at Sunshine
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Sunshine, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Campground - Norwood Rd | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Alta Lakes Campground (Designated) - Norwood Rd | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Matterhorn | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Matterhorn Campground - Norwood Rd | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Sunshine -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork San Miguel River Near Ophir | 76 cfs | → |
| Cement Creek At Silverton | 59 cfs | → |
| Mineral Creek At Silverton | 225 cfs | → |
| Animas River At Silverton | 281 cfs | → |
| Animas River Below Silverton | 646 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ouray | 292 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Sunshine -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lizard Head Pass | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Lizard Head Pass | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Mineral Creek | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Mineral Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| El Diente Peak | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Red Mountain Pass | 1.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Judy Long Memorial Park
- Telluride Town Park
- Wilderness Mount Sneffels
- Uncompahgre National Forest
- Wilderness Lizard Head
- Wilderness Uncompahgre
Boat launches
Fishing spots
- Sheep Corrals Fishing Site
- Woods Lake
- Andrews Lake Swa
- North Fork Animas River
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Ridgway Reservoir
Points of interest
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Sunshine as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Sunshine
Can I make reservations at Sunshine?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Sunshine?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Sunshine.