Amphitheater (CO)

Dave & Nancy, the hosts, were fantastic! So helpful and kind. Also, the latrines were nice and clean. And of course the location is unbeatable — so beautiful, and right close to Ouray.

There did happen to be a fair bit of overnight bear activity — mostly pesky bears who know how to open a car door or open a cooler that’s been left out. So be sure to take all the normal precautions. We didn’t have any trouble, but some neighboring campsites did.

Site was exposed, but minimal rainfall so it was great because the campsite afforded great views of the cliffs on either side of Ouray. The hosts were fantastic, they regularly made rounds of the campsites, warned us about animal activity, and made great converation with guests. Stayed 4 nights, and we would have happily stayed longer.

Park hosts do an amazing job.

First let's get the big negative out of the way. I read a lot about the toilets being stinky. It's true! At least for the one by our campsite. The odor from the vault toilet near our campsite was terrible. This is the toilet for the campsite 10 thru 14 loop. We've been to many campgrounds with vault toilets. This one was by far the worst. The toilets at the top of the campground were much better. Highly recommend stopping at the upper toilet if you have serious business to attend to :). On a more pleasant note, the view from our campsite 11 was amazing. The hosts were great. Proximity to Ouray and Jeep trails were also very nice. The pros definitely outweigh the one big negative.

We travel to the southwest of Colorado every year and every year without fail we have a place to stay at the Amphitheater. Although we missed Steve, David and Nancy were wonderful hosts as always. they are organized, keeping the sites clean and ready for all who came. We are returning in September for a few days and we will use the campground again to use a base while we go and explore the trails again in the fall colors. Again kudos to David and Nancy for taking that campground on by themselves and doing a great job, its really the hosts that make that place a temporary home.

The campsite was amazing and cleaned every day by the host, the only complaint is the restroom that is a little to well used so the stench was unbearable after the hot sun

I always love the camp hosts At Ampitheater. Helpful and attentive. It’s the perfect spot for enjoying the perimeter trail, good proximity to hot springs and town.

Beautiful Campground! Excellent Hosts!

Had a great visit to the Ouray area and great stay at The Amphitheater Campground. The host were some of the best host we have ever come across in our travels. The campgrounds were clean especially the restrooms.
I was expecting a Stage 2 fire ban because the state had issued one for the area which would prohibit wood campfires but allow gas/propane firepits. Its a federal campgrounds and fires were allowed.
I would recommend that federal campgrounds follow state fire bans that are in effect.
Cant wait to stay here again.

Beautiful campgrounds and very helpful hosts. Camp staff was on it when a bear wandered through and alerted all campers.