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Motorcycle Camping on Lizard Head PassColorado Highway 145 runs from Telluride down over Lizard Head Pass toward Cortez. Along the way there are a number of motorcycle-accessible campgrounds, including one right in Telluride. Not surprisingly, Telluride City Campground is the one in town. Heading south Toward Lizard Head Pass you come first to Sunshine Campground and then Matterhorn Campground. Over the pass, as you near Dolores, you’ll reach the very small town of Stoner. Just past Stoner, Dunton Road heads off toward (surprise!) Dunton. Mavreeso and West Dolores Campgrounds are a short distance up this winding, very scenic road. Telluride City Campground Amenities include tables, grills, rest rooms with showers, lots of trees, and some sites are right on the creek. There are 28 vehicle sites ($33) as well as 5 primitive, walk-in sites ($19). The whole area is pretty rocky so you definitely need a good foam pad or air mattress. Sunshine Campground This National Forest Campground has 15 sites that go for $18 per night, plus $7 for an additional vehicle. It will be up to the campground host as to whether two motorcycles count as two paying vehicles. Some are easygoing on that subject, some aren’t. The roads throughout the campground are good, smooth pavement. Amenities include tables, fire pits, outhouses, and water. Firewood can be purchased from the campground host. Many of the sites are in aspen groves but a few have no shade. Matterhorn Campground This National Forest Campground has 28 sites that go for $22 per night. It will be up to the campground host as to whether two motorcycles count as two paying vehicles. Some are easygoing on that subject, some aren't. The roads throughout the campground are good gravel. Amenities include tables, fire pits, flush toilets, showers, and water. Firewood can be purchased from the campground host. Some of the sites are along the river. Bring insect repellent. Highway noise can be pretty annoying at times during the night. Site #11 is our favorite, although walk-in sites #12 and #13 are also quite nice and the walk is shorter than some walks from motel parking lots to rooms. Mavreeso Campground This is a gorgeous, winding asphalt road up a beautiful valley. Because it is a little out of the way you won’t be bothered with traffic noise during the night. Dunton is a very picturesque old mining town but has been turned into a very expensive, exclusive tourist destination and you can only look at it. The road does actually continue and connect with Colorado 145 on the south side of Lizard Head Pass but beyond Dunton it is a very bad dirt road. In a 4x4, or if you’re good on a dirt bike, that ride is beyond incredible. There is another campground on that stretch past Dunton. Amenities include tables, water, grills, fire pits, and outhouses. Firewood is available from the campground host. Set in a wooded area, most of the 19 sites have ample shade. Campground fees are $24 per night. Talk with the campground host about whether a second motorcycle rightly counts as a second vehicle. West Dolores Campground This is a gorgeous, winding asphalt road up a beautiful valley. Because it is a little out of the way you won’t be bothered with traffic noise during the night. Dunton is a very picturesque old mining town but has been turned into a very expensive, exclusive tourist destination and you can only look at it. The road does actually continue and connect with Colorado 145 on the south side of Lizard Head Pass but beyond Dunton it is a very bad dirt road. In a 4x4, or if you’re good on a dirt bike, that ride is beyond incredible. There is another campground on that stretch past Dunton. West Dolores Campground is $24 per night, $6 for an extra vehicle. Amenities include tables, water, grills, fire pits, and outhouses. Firewood is available from the campground host. Set in a wooded area, most of the 18 sites have ample shade. |
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Matterhorn
Campground is close to the summit of Lizard Head Pass, several miles south of
Telluride, on Colorado 145. 
