Thistledown Campground

About

Thistledown Campground is a rustic, first-come, first-served site in the Uncompahgre National Forest, located on Camp Bird Road (County Road 361) just west of Ouray. Situated in the Canyon Creek drainage at approximately 8,700 feet, the campground serves as a staging area for hikes into Mount Sneffels and Yankee Boy Basin, as well as access to the Weehawken Trailhead. The facility consists of roughly 9 to 12 sites, with the lower sites offering drive-in access and upper sites requiring a walk-up to haul gear uphill. The terrain favors tent camping, though small RVs under 22 feet may fit. Amenities include vault toilets, bear boxes at each site, and fire rings, though grills are often absent. Potable water is not provided; a creek runs adjacent to the campground, but its reliability can vary with seasonal rainfall and silt levels. The area sees regular bear activity. Access is via paved Highway 550 to the unpaved Camp Bird Road, which can be rough and dusty due to local Jeep traffic. The campground operates seasonally from mid-May through mid-September.