Hi! I’m Allie and I sold everything in 2020 to live solo in my RV full time. Traveling the United States, I camp mostly in public lands for free as I hike, bike and seek out quiet spots in nature.
6.14.22 Telluride Colorado
I had heard Telluride, Colorado was a definite stop to see while in Colorado. I had knew this since I was a child in Southern California (THAT long ago, lol). Yet it’s not the easiest location to access, one really wants to see this town because it’s tucked into the mountains.
But I need to say, it’s very worth the drive to experience Telluride!
Staying Near Telluride Despite My Resistance to Go There
To be completely honest I wasn’t very thrilled about going to Telluride. I read and heard that it’s a tourist trap, it’s expensive, it’s yuppie, it’s crowded and there’s nowhere to park, especially an RV. These are all reasons I avoid places.
But I went anyway and focused on the beauty of the town and the mountains. And it surely delivers!
Another reason I wanted to avoid Telluride, Colorado is there’s no convenient camping nearby. There is one campground in town and no RV parks or resorts for hours. Let’s just say Telluride is not RV friendly.
I ended up camping about 1 hour away in one of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever camped!
Way up high above the mansions, outside town, out past the airport, at 10,433 feet in elevation is National Forest dispersed camping. It’s a trek to get there but very worth the drive.
Me and Minnie Rambles tucked ourselves within an aspen tree grove for 2 nights. The camp area is very tight and can get crowded but the view, well, you can’t beat it! The forest road continuing up the hill is prime dirt for those in 4×4 vehicles and I saw many, even met a few during my walks. Every person couldn’t get over the beauty that resided in those mountains!
Going to Telluride in an RV to Hike
The day had come to leave the beautiful mountaintop to descend into Telluride. Though conditions were perfect – amazing weather and mid-week – I still had to psyche myself up for crowds and conditions not conducive to RVs.
From where I was camped it took me about an hour to get to Telluride. Knowing the town could get crowded with limited parking, I left very early to hit the trailhead parking lot by 8 AM.
It was nice cruising into town with little to no people around. I could leisurely drive the historic main street not worried a tourist would walk out in front of my 12,000 pound vehicle. (They do it everywhere and I’m still baffled.)
At the edge of town and the end of the road is the trail head for Bridal Veil Falls Trail. There were a couple of vehicles here but still plenty of parking. I backed her in to a corner where I figured I could still get out if vehicles parked around me yet as out of the way as possible to allow for as many vehicles to still fit.
Hiking Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride, Colorado
Hikes like this are why I drive out of the way to a touristy town in an RV. Sometimes not an easy feat.
This hike was stunning with waterfalls everywhere! Small waterfalls, large waterfalls and tall waterfalls! They cooled me off as the morning got hotter.
Even without the falls the hike is fun and exciting! There are trees, bridges, rocks, slight elevation, birds and not very long at 2 miles out and back. Overall, one of most gorgeous hikes I’ve ever done – and I’ve done my fair share.
Once done with the hike I rode my new bike (I was so excited to ride it!) into town for an overpriced, not that great sandwich, to walk a bit and people watch. Telluride is a very interesting place to people watch.
I know this blog post seems to be a negative review of Telluride yet, honestly, if you get the chance to visit I would say do it.
The positive attributes of this part of Colorado far outweigh the negative. Did I mention people were pretty friendly here too? They loved their town very much and fiercely protect it. They support each other to keep Telluride safe, beautiful and small. That’s a community I can stand behind.
Thank You for Stopping By!
I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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