Sunshine
Federal campground in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Location: Telluride, CO, CO
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (0 reviews)
Season: May through October
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/sunshine to be notified when sites open up.
Located just 10-15 minutes from downtown Telluride with excellent access to gondola and hiking. Campers praise the clean facilities, friendly hosts, and beautiful Aspen Grove setting with amazing views.
Wildlife alert: Mountain Lions present in area; also Wapiti, American Pika, porcupines, Gunnison's Prairie Dogs, and various bird species including Dusky Grouse and grosbeaks.
Insider tips for Sunshine: First-come, first-served basis only — arrive early to claim a site Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival to use Scan and Pay feature for remote payment Dog-friendly campground
Skip Sunshine if: You need hookups — no hookups available at sites. You require advance reservations — first-come, first-served only. You're visiting November-April — seasonal operations May through October only.
Best time to visit Sunshine: September-October — Aspen trees are saturated throughout campground and would be gorgeous in fall. May-October — Official operating season.
Nearby campgrounds: Matterhorn (MONTROSE, CO), South Mineral (Durango, CO), Woods Lake (Telluride, CO), Cayton Campground (Rico, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Sunshine
Cell signal at Sunshine (Telluride, CO): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryFirst-come, first-served basis only
arrive early to claim a site
Download Recreation.gov mobile app before arrival to use Scan and Pay feature for remote payment
Dog-friendly campground
Aspen trees are saturated throughout campground and would be gorgeous in fall
Official operating season
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 km
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Sunshine cost per night?+
What season is Sunshine open?+
Does Sunshine have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Sunshine?+
How do I make reservations at Sunshine?+
What is the cell service like at Sunshine?+
What season is Sunshine open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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