Quote: Never been there, don't have a clue, but we suspect that being flatlanders, we may need to spend the nights at around six or seven thousand feet in order to rest better, making day trips over those cool passes, ect...
Huh?!? There is _no_ 6-7,000 feet _there_ {grin!}. You will _not_ acclimitize in less than a week or ten days. If you start to feel you're having symptoms of hypoxia, go down to a lower elevation (that is the only "cure").
If you're spending the days higher than 10,000 feet (there are about six fourteeners and a whole bunch of thirteeners in the area) it might be enough for you to _sleep_ at a lower altitude (...but you're not going to get below 8,000 feet). There are "government" campgrounds around 9,500 feet on the Lake City (Hinsdale County) side of the San Juans. They are Mill Creek (BLM); Williams Creek (FS); and Wupperman (Hinsdale Co.). They are all near Lake San Cristobal which is the second largest natural lake in Colorado. Caution: This lake was caused by a landslide of bibilical proportions. It lets loose about every 350 years (...so it's overdue {grin!}).
While dispersed camping is possible in the BLM areas of the San Juans, the alpine zones are very sensitive to human occupation. Contact the BLM field office in Gunnison (970-641-0471) for current regs and prohibitions. As a practical matter, these lands will never have a chance to recover from parking an RV on them. For that reason, I would recommend considering organized campgrounds instead of 'dragging' an RV in there (the roads aren't really conducive to such a large rig, anyway). There are commercial campgrounds (Silverton, Ouray, Lake City, and a huge State Campground at Ridgway) in the area as well as the above mentioned three that are very "onsite". At the very least, try to 'ration' your time on the sensitive alpine soils.
That is sure beautiful area. I spent several days at the campground in in downtown Ouray last September. I rented a jeep to save wear and tear on the TV even though it is 4WD.
As for the effects of altitude it depends a lot on your physical condition. I live at 2500' which isn't much head start. I walked all over Ouray the first day, and the second took the jeep over Imogene Pass at 13,000+ ft. I stopped at various old mines and hiked around. By the way I'm 78 and have pacemaker. The main thing I notice is just taking a bit more time to stop to catch up on breathing.
I hope the snow clears this year. I would like to do it again after Labor Day this year.
Just my thoughts:
South Mineral Campground:fine for big motorhomes or anything else you want to camp in. There is an organized fee area at the very end of the road with water and latrine. Several dispersed (free) areas along the road with latrines. Great fly fishing (trout) in the stream and beaver ponds. Lots of wildlife and waterfalls.
Eureka: this is a "ghost town" owned in part by the county and part by Sunnyside Gold who are nice enough to overlook all the people taking advantage of a great campspot. No problem getting big rigs or anything else in here. BUT! Don't even consider camping here if you are not tolerant of a few ATV riders who are not respectful of others. So sad that a few have to ruin the fun for those that ride responsibly. Other than that, it is a wonderful place and lots of 4x4 roads start here.
Don't even consider camping with anything at Animas Forks. OP, your small rig would make it up there but the road is very narrow, switch backs, drop offs, and don't forget all those rental Jeeps with drivers who are clueless
Be sure to call the Silverton Chamber of Commerce to find out what 4x4 roads are open. Also ask if the roads are open to the other side, Ouray and Lake City counties are not as quick to get things done as San Juan (Silverton).
Don't forget warm clothes, rain gear and bug spray. Enjoy!
I lived fulltime in Silverton for 16 years so if you have any more questions I will try to answer.
2006 Jayco Seneca 35GS
1993 Ford Ranger toad, converted to flatbed to haul our ATVs
2006 Toyota Tacoma TRD
2 ATVs
2 Border Collies
pics of our Seneca changes
Larry, I will watch for you. I will have my son with me for a few days so there will be a gray tundra and TT with my Winnie and jeep. Poor kid he has to come back and go to work. Sure is nice to be retired.
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Other than that, it is a wonderful place and lots of 4x4 roads start here. 
