Molas Pass

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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles60 reviews
Excellent
51
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7
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olozbal
Decatur, GA221 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Family
Spent the July 4th weekend at Molas Lake campground and we loved it. You'll love this campground. It's about 5 miles south of Silverton on US 550 and its website claims it's the most beautiful campground in Colorado (it's how I found it on Google). It's run by a really nice couple and it even has some basic things you may find in a KOA type place like coffee/danishes in the morning and ice cream in the evenings. But that's about where the similarities end. Some tips:
- This place is at over 10,000 feet in elevation. We live at 6k and we even felt it. You'll feel a little weird the first day. In July for us it was 40's or so at night and mid/high 60's during the day. We even got a little rain every day.
- We car camp which I think this is what this place is best for. The lake front places are all tent only ones, I think it allows pop ups and such up to 22 feet or so. We also saw RV's parked way back at the entrance. We had probably the best site in the place which was #10. Perfect spot for a car, large tent, picnic table, fire, and even a lower area next to the water we could launch our inflatable raft from. #11 next to us was larger and two families were on that one.
- Very little amenities. The toilets are kept up best they can but it's basically one step better than a porta pottie. No potable water except at the front check in area so bring a water jug. We took our boat across the lake as it was faster to pick up water and firewood.
- Fishing is why people come here. It's stocked with Rainbow Trout and folks were catching quite a bit from shore. A few people bring canoes or rafts like we did which is nice if you have one.
- Great hike about 15' away from camp takes you to a waterfall. Our 8 and 10 year olds did it and felt like they climbed Everest.
- They say absolutely no alcohol. I swear I absolutely didn't have a case of Bud Light with me. Not sure why that is (maybe because it's state owned?). I think they're just trying to keep it cordial and not a party site? I did see a sheriff patrol once through. Keep it quiet and you'll be fine.
- Great site if you want to bring your family and introduce them to fishing. Glassy water and a ton of epic picture opportunities.
- The altitude is the only thing to remember on this.
- You can reserve online, not sure if you can pick specific site numbers but you can pick which type spot you want. We were there on July 4th and for it being "crowded" I thought it was fine.
Written July 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Landlubber07
Warner Robins, GA122 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • Family
Although this campground is designed primarily for tents or very small rvs, large RVs have the best option here in the "Lakeview Ultra RV" sites. The ultra sites are on a plateau overlooking the entire lake and campground. The views are stunning. It can't even be put into words! The campground is dry- no electric or water so come prepared. It is just the most spectacular place, worth any inconvenience due to a lack of creature comforts. You'll spend hours just viewing heaven outside your door. Fishing and hiking are excellent. Campground hosts were very friendly and helpful.
Tips: showers and firewood are grossly overpriced. Save your money and take a day trip to Ouray for a dip in the amazing hot springs. Shower there for free (with price of admission to the springs). Firewood was over $8 for a tiny bundle, so bring your own. This is one of the highest elevation campgrounds in the US so prepare for cold weather. It dipped below freezing overnight in late June. Also the intensity of the sun makes sunscreens necessity.

This campground is an excellent Base camp for exploring Silverton. Silverton is a great place with interesting things to see and do, but the camping in the town proper doesn't touch this by a mile. Seriously, people come from all over the world to camp here. It's truly an amazing experience. The night sky was crystal clear and full of stars.
Written June 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Boyd B
Orem, UT214 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Friends
The winding mountain road up to view Molas Pass challenged my driving skills and is one I would never try in the rain or snowy weather. Gorgeous scenery with about the highest mountains I have ever viewed in the United States. Picture postcard beautiful!
Written October 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William D
Durango, CO103 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014 • Family
At elevation 10,910 ft./3325 m. Molas Pass is among the highest mountain passes in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado. Many outdoor guides rank this range as the wildest and most beautiful in North America. You will encounter the pass on US Hiway 550 while driving North toward Silverton or South away from Silverton.

For sight seers, Molas Pass offers spectacular views from the road and scenic overlooks. For sheer adventure, stop, get out of the car, and take it all in as long as you are OK with the altitude and sharp drop offs. Note that this pass is considerably less intimidating than Red Mountain Pass on the same road, and it is generally kept open in the winter months (Red Mountain Pass is not).

Molas Pass is a dream destination for mountain and road bikers, hikers, kayakers, fishing enthusiasts and campers. It is a major feature of the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic race held every Memorial Day week end, which thrusts riders into a race against the narrow-gauge steam train that runs from Durango to Silverton. Whether participating in the Iron Horse or riding on your own, traversing Molas is a badge of honor for cyclists, and it is a high adventure destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes.
Written October 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nickie B
2 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Family
To preface, my husband and I are avid campers and have camped all over the great United States, with varying degrees of difficulty. We live in the great state of Arizona, and love to travel to nearby areas for new adventures. We consider ourselves experienced, and wish to bestow our knowledge and love of camping, fishing and hunting upon our children. My daughters, ages 5 and 3 wanted nothing more than to go fishing. We have taken them fishing many times before in our state, but that was months ago, and they've since "forgotten how". Which worked out fine because we were invited to meet my husbands brother and wife, and their two children ages 7 and 4. The place, Molas Lake. We read all about it online and were very excited for our trip.
The campgrounds are STUNNING. Views of the mountains, lake and amazing pines stretching far and wide. Our campsite was on the rocky and hilly side, which was a bit difficult for the kids to maneuver, but we made do. We reserved two campsites next to one and other so we could all eat, play and be merry.
Now to my complaint. My husband wasn't particularly interested in fishing or eating fish (we had planned for smoked tri tip afterall), but we knew that his brother (two years his elder) is a very skilled fisherman and was excited to fish with all of the kids. My husband went along, across from our campsite to the lake, to help his brother "rangel" all of the children. He had already looked up the rules on DPW for the state of Colorado and learned that children are allowed to fish without a permit, he has always been a stickler for the rules.

He did not purchase a fishing licence for himself because we would only be there for a day and figured his brother (a Colorado resident and holder of a fishing permit) could show our kids the ropes this time. My two daughters were taking turns using their Barbie-Themed pole. It broke after about two hours. My brother in law kindly shared his second pole with my daughters. My oldest daughter wanted to come back to the campsite after fishing for five minutes, so my husband took her back to the site, and brought my youngest daughter, 3 year old Anna, back down for her turn to fish with the group. Not even five minutes after he took her down there, DPW truck shows up, and gives my husband a ticket for fishing without a license. I was listening to the man speak in over-the-top RUDE tones to my husband, claiming he had been "watching him fish for half an hour" He explained to the DPW officer that he had just arrived, and was just helping the little one throw in the line, to which he replied "YOU TELL YOURSELF WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOU WERE FISHING HARD". Absolute absurdity. My daughter came back crying, scared and worried that SHE WAS IN TROUBLE FOR FISHING. Not a good experience at all. We know that this officer mistook my husband for his brother, but this officer refused to hear either of them out. For his mistake, and refusal to simply issue a warning, we now have to pay $70.
Yes, I realize this is review geared mostly toward DPW, but I feel as though the campgrounds should be made aware that this incident with a rude officer really soured our experience.

If you wish your children to enjoy fishing, or if they are young and need a grown up to assist with tangled lines or holding the pole while putting a worm on (yes, my daughter was using a worm she had found earlier) then I would avoid this campground for the sheer ridiculousness of said particular officer. We will find campgrounds elsewhere in the future.
Written July 14, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryle G
Broomfield, CO147 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
I absolutely hate going over any pass and this is no exception. However, the rest area here has stunning views in every direction. They have signs that let you know the names of the surrounding mountains and there is a beautiful lake in the distance to admire. There is a clean outhouse there if needed as well.
Written August 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William B
Ocala, FL74 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Couples
Ran into 6" of snow going over pass Friday (26th) which is a good reminder be prepared for winter in high country ANYTIME of year. If you are over 7,000 feet winter is one sudden storm away! Visibility poor, wing driven snow, road slippery...
Written July 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Williamsland
Dallas, TX938 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Driving up from Durango, the twists and turns and views were awesome! Be careful if you go in the winter, make sure you have proper tires or chains. If you can, switch drivers if you pass back down, it's unfair for just one person to see these amazing views!
Written January 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dawn_ee
Columbia, United States7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014
We arrived after dark and were greeted warmly by the camp hostess.

We woke up to an amazing view surrounded by mountains in every direction. The campsite was clean and well maintained. Firewood prices were reasonable.

The camp host and hostess gave us some great ideas for day activities.

We would recommend using the second entrance if coming from Durango....the first is very bumpy and was a little scary in the dark!!

The campsites are rustic, although there are well-maintained toilets throughout the site, and a potable water faucet beside the camp office.

We tent camped and ended up using rocks to anchor our tent because the terrain was too rocky for stakes. The views and beautiful lake were well worth it.

We will definitely be back!!
Written August 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris B
Denver, CO40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2014 • Solo
I spent several days mapping Molas Pass for a college geology project and all I can say is the beautiful views and fantastic volcanic/glacial geology could have kept me here for much longer!
Written August 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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