Explore the Best of Telluride, Colorado

Telluride could easily be the most beautiful small town in America. We have our favorites, but we were recently reminded how incredibly beautiful this small town is. While most have a view of a mountain range, Telluride is surrounded by mountains. If you would stand in the middle of town, you would have a 360 degree view of mountains. Founded in 1878, shortly after the Colorado Gold Rush started, it quickly became a mining town. Not for gold though, as no gold was found but it was rich in Zinc, Lead, Copper and Silver. It was originally supposed to be called Columbia, but too many people got it confused with Columbia, California. So Telluride it is.

We wrote this guide in two sections, so pick which one interests you or scroll to read it all!

The Best RV Guide to Telluride, Colorado

While our travels are mostly based on finding the best hikes and most beautiful boondocking spots, we love exploring towns as well. Finding RV specific information for some areas is still difficult. You might be able to find information on just boondocking, or things to do, but combined is relatively bleak. So this guide will help you if you are here for the town itself or figuring out how to RV in the area. While there are accommodations in Telluride, it is a great place to experience in an RV.

The Best Free Activities in Telluride, Colorado

For being a remote town in Colorado there are a lot of free things to do here and they, of course, are all outside!

Gondola – I love a mountain town with a free Gondola!

For me, this is the most amazing thing that the town did. A free gondola from Mountain Village to Telluride. It is free and it goes from 6am to midnight! There is also free parking for RVs and oversized vehicles at Mountain Village (as well as regular vehicles)! Read below for more information. There are a few sections to the Gondola:

Mountain Village Parking to Station Mountain Village: The gondola starts up the sidewalk from the parking garage and right next to the market. This takes you to where the bike park is, the village with hotels, stores and restaurants, and hiking trails. You have to get off the gondola here to either stay and enjoy or catch the next gondola to San Sophia Station or Telluride.

Station Mountain Village to San Sofia Station at 10,540′: Once you hit San Sofia Station you have a choice. You can stay on for hotels, restaurants or hiking, or you can stay on and it will take you to Telluride.

San Sofia Station to Telluride: This last section has a big drop off so if you have a fear of heights you may want to hold off looking out the windows. This will drop you off right downtown and two blocks from mail street. There is no parking at this gondola station.

I almost forgot that the the gondola is dog friendly!

Farmer’s Market – The next best thing is the farmer’s market on Friday’s. Check out local vendors, artists and food stalls. It runs right downtown. There is also a market in Mountain Village.

Hiking – This is one of the reasons we come here! Hiking in the area is top notch and there are quite a few options just from town. If you have a car then there are hikes close by (within 30 minutes). Here are a few not to miss.

Bridal Veil Falls Trail – An easy trail for the entire family it is 2 mile round trip. If you want a bit more time on feet or a challenge this can be made into an 11 mile hike round trip to Blue Lakes. You will need to drive to this trailhead.

Ridge Trail – This was fun to get off at the San Sofia Station and hike down to Station Mountain Village. Just under 2 miles it is another great family friendly hike. You will get a hike with views and then through Aspens before you hit the mountain bike trails to the station.

Lizard Head Trail – This is a challenging hike. Know your limits and the weather report. This trail is about 30 minutes out of town and can be a moderately hard to a hard hike. You have options on how long you want it to be but plan on anything from 8-18 miles with around 2,000′ to 5,000′ in elevation gain. Make sure to check the weather because being caught in a thunderstorm at the top would not be fun. Especially since this hike starts at 10,000′! There are two parking lots at the trailhead and one across the highway.

Hope Lake Trail – A beautiful trail to a beautiful lake this is a fun one for the family. Again, about 30 minutes from town this 5 mile hike with about 1,400′ in gain is a good one for the day.

Paved Running/Biking Path – The Telluride Bike Path is maintained all year round! It is a 6.6 mile out and back from town and will provide beautiful views and potential wildlife viewings the entire way.

Fishing – There are lakes, ponds and alpine streams for you to choose. It is a fishing paradise! Plus you can be minutes from town or right downtown.

Food and Libation in Telluride

Since the majority of the activities in Telluride are outside, you will definitely work up an appetite. The food scene here is getting better but don’t be surprised by the prices. It shouldn’t be a surprise due to the town’s location and popularity but it is almost resort prices throughout town. Here are a few suggestions.

Wood Ear – This was mighty expensive but very much worth it. We really enjoyed our meal and the service was great. Right downtown it is easy to access.

Un Dos Tres Tacos & Tequila – I will say that I was thoroughly disappointed in the quality and flavors that came from this place. We got multiple tacos and chips and guac. I can’t even say I liked any of it but it was very popular. This place was also on the more budget friendly side of costs.

Lunch Money

Caravan

Counter Culture

Don’t miss the brewery! Telluride Brewing Co has a few locations so you can’t miss an opportunity to check out their selection of beers.

The Best Guide for RV Information for Telluride, Colorado

Now to the important stuff! Surprisingly or not, Telluride isn’t the most RV friendly. However, it is still very easy to experience the area and the town if you are in an RV. If you are in a short van, you can find parking in town or the side streets if you are exploring, but if you are in anything bigger you will need to read below.

Camping – In the town of Telluride there is no camping or sleeping in a vehicle overnight on any public street. There is a big sign right when you arrive into town. If you need a place to park your RV overnight while you stay in a hotel, see below. Otherwise, check out some of the most amazing areas for free camping within 20-30 minutes of town.

There is a campground in Telluride, the Telluride Town Park Campground. This is dry camping and hard to come by a reservation. $39 or $49 per night was no sewer, water or electricity. There is water available, bathrooms, sink and showers. The showers are $1.00 for 75 seconds! Generators are only allowed from 3pm-6pm and there are zero fires.

Laundry – The Laundromat and Telluride Eco Cleaners is right before you get into town. While good in a pinch, they could clean a bit more in The Laundromat. Prices were not outrageous and the dryers worked well. It is also right new the brewery and coffee shop!

162 Society Dr, Telluride, CO 81435

Grocery – There is a market at Mountain Village right where you can park your RV and across the walkway from the free gondola entrance. There is also a market in Telluride. Surprisingly the prices are not that outrageous but if you are on a budget, I would suggest doing the grocery shopping in Montrose or Ridgway.

Potable Water/Dump Station – $22 as of 2024 to use their dump and fill up with potable water. You have to pay the fee at the office first.

Gas and Propane

There are a few gas stations that were not that much more than Ridgway. So if you are in a pinch it won’t break the bank. Propane was exchange tanks only, no fill.

RV Parking in Telluride and Mountain Village

The best tip is to park at the parking lot for the free Gondola in Mountain Village! It is free from 6:30am to 2:00am! If you need to park overnight it is $30-60 depending on the size of your rig. They have oversized parking and high clearance in their lot going down to the first level. We have a 22′ RV + 4′ extra for our bikes and we were able to find a spot and turn around. You could be a little bigger and towing and turn around in the lower level. This was so worth it! We spent the day commuting on the gondola and explored Telluride and did a few hikes!

455 Mountain Village Blvd.

In Telluride there isn’t any actual RV parking. There was a yard that someone had a few travel trailers in that was charging $30/day but it seemed a bit iffy getting in and out. Otherwise, as mentioned above, you can park on city streets if you are around 22′.

We hope you enjoy Telluride!

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