Van camping parking near Ouray

Hello, does anyone know of a good place where I could park and camp in my van in or near Ouray? I'd like to go ice climbing and would prefer to sleep in my van.

Ironton, halfway up red mountain pass has a parking lot near the corkscrew pass road and at the top of red mountain people stay there who ski  the bowls there. I don't know the current status of these area now but have seen cars there before that have spent the night there.

Kevinmurray wrote:

Ironton, halfway up red mountain pass has a parking lot near the corkscrew pass road and at the top of red mountain people stay there who ski  the bowls there. I don't know the current status of these area now but have seen cars there before that have spent the night there.

Thanks kevin. I'll check it out.

There is a pull off as your coming into ouray it will be on your right side. It’s just outside of city limits and legal to park over night 

Lots of headlights and traffic noise on that turn out but I have seen people parked for several days.

Wanna freeze?

The KOA is fairly cheap and gives you a hot shower, toilet, and power if you need it. 

I've slept at that pulloff (many years ago, so things may have changed), and can confirm that it's cold and noisy, but bearable for a short stay.  I'd just pay for the KOA if I were you.

Go up the pass for SURE if you're a trooper. Get KOA if you're a light sleeper.

We always camp at Ironton up the pass. Going from Ouray it's on the left side of the road. Takes us like 15 min from Ouray driving our version of safe. Once you make the left off the highway you can follow a road that goes back a little but is inaccessible in the winter mostly, and then there's a road that runs parallel to the highway as well (the noise you're imagining is real) which we've had better luck staying in with snow and such in winter. That area though is crazy popular and crowded now because it's the only real camping in the winter around there for free so during the weekends I recommend getting situated before too late or it'll be an active parking lot which I've also seen before. Don't go though if you're looking for a sneaky piece of solitude.

bearded sam wrote:

The KOA is fairly cheap and gives you a hot shower, toilet, and power if you need it. 

KOA is closed for a couple months this winter.