Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
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Browse the FAQs below and find answers to your questions about Molas Lake Campground, the town of Silverton, and the surrounding Rocky Mountain wilderness.
Q. How big is Molas Lake Campground?
A. 137 wooded acres, including a 25 acre lake. Our 45 campsites are completely surrounded by national forest and other public land.
Q. What do I need to fish at Molas Lake?
A.You'll need to get a Colorado fishing license. This can be purchased at Outdoor World in Silverton (1234 Greene St), which is about a 15 minute drive from the park. Alternatively, you can purchase a Colorado fishing license from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
For out of state guests, a one day pass costs $9, a five day pass $21, and a season pass $56. Colorado residents can purchase a one day pass for $9 or a season pass for $26. Colorado seniors (over 64) can get a season license for $1.
You'll also need fishing equipment. Rainbow trout is the most common species in the lake.
Q. Are there electrical outlets in the campground bathrooms? How about water?
A. No, electric service is not available to campground guests at this time. The campground bathrooms are clean vault-style toilets without electricity. Please note that campground bathrooms do not have any running water. The campground bathrooms are clean vault-style toilets.
Q. Is there a camp store? What supplies can we buy at the campground?
A. Yes. The camp store offers minimal supplies including ice, marshmallows, and some fishing supplies. You can collect your own firewood throughout the campground free of charge.
Q. Do you sell/offer firewood?
A. Firewood is plentiful throughout Molas Lake Campground. Gather your own - and feel free to ask our camphost, John, for tips on the best areas.
Is there a fee to use the Day Use Picnic Areas?
A. No. Our four day-use areas are available first-come first-serve, free of charge. Each area has a fire ring and several picnic tables.
Q. Are there showers at Molas Lake Campground?
A. Yes. Hot water shower facilities are available for $4.00 per person, per use. Please note, however, that the campground bathrooms do not have any running water.
Q. Is there clean water at Molas Lake Campground?
A. Yes, a central water pump provides clean water for guests. Plan on bringing containers for storing water at your camp site. The five to seven gallon containers with a spout work well and are usually available at discount stores for under $10.
Q. Can I have mail/supplies/food/packages delivered to Molas Lake Campground while I am hiking/camping/mountaineering in the area via USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.?
A. Yes, we are now equipped to serve your resupply needs through UPS! Give us a call to set up your mailing(s).
Q. How cold does it get at night at the campground?
A. Because of the elevation (over 10,000 feet) the nighttime temperatures at Molas are cool all year round. It used to be that the park only had about 13 frost-free nights per year. However, temperatures have been somewhat warmed in recent years. The sun is intense at this elevation so the afternoon sun feels quite warm.
Below is a chart of 2008 temperatures for different times of year:
Avg High Avg Low
Late May 64 30
Early-Mid June 65 33
Mid-Late June 67 37
Early - Mid July 68 38
Mid - Late July 68 40
Early - Mid August 68 43
Mid - Late August 70 40
Early - Mid September 61 32
Q. What are some hiking opportunities in the area?
A. Opportunities for hiking in the San Juans are nearly limitless. However, many of the trails are poorly marked and difficult to find. For this reason, a trail map is highly recommended. Trail maps are available in the Town of Silverton at the Public Lands Center (1246 Blair St), Outdoor World (1234 Greene St), or online through the San Juan Mountains Association. The two most essential maps for hiking around Silverton are probably the two Drake Mountain maps available on the website (these maps are also available in town).
The park also has direct access to the Colorado trail. The most popular hikes in the immediate vicinity are to Little Molas Lake and to Andrews Lake. Both of those have trailheads within a mile or mile and a half south of the park. For a longer hike, consider continuing past Andrews lake five or six miles to Crater Lake. Another popular trail in the area is the trail up Engineer Mountain. That trailhead is in a nice parking area accessed via a gravel road about thirteen miles south of Molas Lake Park. The turnoff is 0.8 miles south of mile marker 53 (if you're coming from the park) or 0.2 miles north of mile marker 52 if you're coming from Durango.
Don't attempt any hikes without plenty of water and a good map.
Q. Do bears visit Molas Lake Campground?
A. Although there have not been any bear-human contact incidents in recent memory, bears have been known to visit the campground from time to time. Because of the remoteness of the campground and the bears' limited interactions with humans, the bears in the area tend to have a natural fear of people. However, you should play it safe and avoid storing food in your tent.
Q. What animals live in the area?
A. A wide variety of species live in the San Juan Mountains. To name a few, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, wolves, coyotes, black bears, and even the occasional bobcat or lynx. Although you will probably see some of these species on your trip, such as deer, elk, and sheep, it is unlikely you will see all or even most of these animals.
Q. Who owns and runs Molas Lake Campground?
A. The Town of Silverton was given the park as a gift from the Federal Bureau of Land Management in 1925. Currently, a contractor of the town works as the campground host.
Q. Can I bring my dog or cat to the campground?
A. Yes. Dogs must be on a leash and should never be left unattended.
Q. Does the campground have a dumping station?
A. Yes. There is a $10 dump fee.
Q. We are a large group. Can you accommodate us?
A. For groups of 15 or more, give us a call toll-free at 866-731-5204 for special rates and group site information.
Q. How far is the nearest town?
A. The town of Silverton is 4.6 miles north of the campground. Click here to learn more about our community.
Q. What kind of shopping/restaurants/attractions are in Silverton and the surrounding area?
A. Click here to explore listings of nearby things to see, do, and explore.
Q. What if we want to take an airplane to stay at Molas Lake Campground?
A. Several airports service the Silverton area.
- Durango - La Plata County Airport ( about 1 hour 20 minutes drive away)
- Telluride Regional Airport (about 1 hour 30 minutes drive away)
- Grand Junction Regional Airport (about 2 hours 45 minutes away)
Q. How long is the drive to Molas Lake Campground from...?
A.
- Durango: 44.5 miles (about 54 minutes)
- Telluride: 29.7 miles (about 1 hour 12 minutes)
- Grand Junction: 127 miles (about 2 hours 39 minutes)
- Colorado Springs: 300 miles (about 5 hours 48 minutes)
- Denver: 362 miles (6 hours 15 minutes)
- Flagstaff, Arizona: 355 miles (about 6 hours 49 minutes)
- Santa Fe, New Mexico: 257 miles (about 4 hours and 58 minutes)
- Farmington, New Mexico: 92.1 miles (about 1 hour 55 minutes)
- Salt Lake City, Utah: 408 miles (about 7 hours 18 minutes)
- El Paso, Texas: 523 miles (about 8 hours 36 minutes)
- Twin Falls, Idaho: 629 miles (about 10 hours, 22 minutes)
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 802 miles (about 12 hours 40 minutes)
