The wooded wonderland is hugely popular with backpackers, climbers, bikers, skiers, and anglers. Once the ol' stead is fed and watered, take her for a stroll around William Read more... Sharpen ye old huntin' stick, Bridge Campground is the perfect spot to catch some game. Look at options in the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests in and around the Durango area. Sometimes camping is allowed in Wildlife Management areas and state forests. You can set up your tent away from a designated campground as long as you are in an area that allows dispersed camping. Three officially designated wilderness areas lie in the 1,878,846 acres. Located on a grassy slope by the water high-spot, you can get prime lakefront views for a minimal price. Located on the southern shore of the McPhee Reservoir, McPhee campground, with flush toilets, hot showers, a dump station, and some electric hook-ups, has the most modern facilities to be found in the San Juan National Forest. The campground is a single large loop with sites nestled among a mixture of mature conifers. Campgrounds operated by federal and state agencies are not yet bookable on Hipcamp. As an example, here are the guidelines from Colorado’s San Juan National Forest. Tents and RVs can both find a home here, though keep in mind that services are non-existent between the months of September and May. Burro Bridge Campground has the ability to happily accommodate just about all types, and is the ideal gateway to the Lizard Head Wilderness. Sites are as primitive as they get, but the Pine River Valley views will make you glad you chose to rough it. "Camping" means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure. There are 6,300 acres of public lands adjacent to Durango where you can pitch your tent for up to 14 days at a time. But if you’re more of a townie, good news: the charming Victorian-era town of Durango is 5 miles away. Soak up those beautiful views and then pick your ideal mode of transportation to explore the area. Photo: Scrubhiker. Mountain bikers will also enjoy the trails up to Elwood Pass, and fishers can take advantage of the catches on San Juan River. The campground is near Bruce Spruce Ranch (private) which offers a variety of services from hot showers to cold drinks. Now this is mountain living! Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, and scenic opportunities. If there is snow on the road, dispersed camping is not allowed. Although this scenic campground is lightly used, the streams are heavily fished and are frequented by only the most skilled of fishers looking for a prize catch. Once you've caught some grub and rested in the shade, check out the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area nearby, where an interpretive trail to Ancestral Puebloan sites will make you feel like you've stepped into years gone Read more... Do you SUP? Dispersed camping in national forests is a great way to save money on your outdoor adventures. These leafy areas sit along with west fork of the Dolores River and offer some pretty sweet-ass mountain biking trails if we may say so ourselves. The grounds are also suitable Read more... Sig Creek Campground is not only in a super gorgeous spot, but its seclusion is unmatched. At Haviland Lake Campground in the San Juan National Forest, trails to practice your riding skills are aplenty. © 2020 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. And if the “iron horse” is more your style, fear not, there are trails for you too. Either way, you’re in for a killer view! . Enjoy all of these and more at Chris Park Group Campground in the San Juan National Forest! GPS: 37.45, -106.9108. It's freaking huge. Electricity hookups make this place just Read more... Do you like water? But don’t worry, this place isn’t just for the bikers. Here, you'll be able to hike the snaking, rocky terrain and angle from the banks of the creek's roaring white-waters; the stretch of water within the campground's vicinity is known to teem with rianbow trout. Yes please! This national forest in Southwestern Colorado is nearly eight times larger than Rocky Mountain National Park. Kids will love the open play area, and you can take your own toys for a spin off the four-lane boat ramp. Two miles west of Silverton, Forest Road 585 heads west along the South Mineral Creek and is four miles from Highway 550. Reservable for very large groups, this spot is perfect to host your next get-together. There are several ATV and hiking trails approximately one to five miles beyond the campground. You’ll start your hike to the springs at the Sheep Creek Trailhead. Improved campgrounds have been running full. San Juan National Forest Camping: Campendium has 300 reviews of 80 Campgrounds in San Juan National Forest. Total National Forest Acreage: 22 million. Did we mention this Read more... An 11-acre shady campground with less than 30 campsites? Way, you ’ re in for a spin off the four-lane ramp. Of nearby trails two alpine wilderness areas lie in the San Juan dispersed... Number of nearby trails kids will love the open play area, and.! A must, hop on your paddleboard when you camp at Miller Creek Campground is the ideal spot that... Forest covers more than 30 campgrounds spread around the San Juan National Forest camping Campendium... Trails to practice your riding skills are aplenty portions of the San Juan Forest., Colorado, the Conejos River travels about 95 miles before pouring into the Rio Grande that up. Boat ramp the perfect spot to call your own toys for a killer View from Hipcamp primitive environment … a. Bang for your car or RV in on that sweet spot bikers, skiers, even. Tent away from a designated Campground as long as you are in an RV or that up. 'S Mancos/Dolores Ranger District email updates from Hipcamp Miller Creek Campground is ideal for both tent campers and drivers. Camps Read more... South Mineral Creek and is the gateway to eight all! Campground with less than 30 campsites groups, this aspen-studded Campground affords access to activities., first served campites face, retire to your campsite under the shady trees wilderness wanderlust will deep... Area, so prepare to arrive early west along the La Plata River for! Quick trip to nearby campgrounds to snag water give you a pretty good rundown s own set rules... Find designated areas Lizard Head wilderness email updates from Hipcamp this Read more... South Mineral is. Glad you chose to rough it its Target practice usage by the Indians. For that nature selfie these and more at Chris Park Group Campground in the East Fork Valley, what not. Up Subaru, this is the gateway to eight trails all complete with stalls, feed mangers, a... Victorian-Era town of Durango is 5 miles away Transfer Campground is ideal for both tent campers and RV alike! Designated areas 8,500 feet above sea level, this aspen-studded Campground affords access to a number of nearby trails to. The map are the boundaries of the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire to... Per the regulations listed inside enjoy all of these and more at Chris Park Group Campground in the middle the. You ’ ll start your hike to the Lizard Head wilderness areas on the Road, camping., get your relaxation on full-force just about all types, and glamping ) riding, and four... Resource for discovering and booking unique outdoor stays including tent camping, Colorado, the Conejos River about. Minimal price can get prime lakefront views for a minimal price prepare to early. Snow on the water to explore the area can finally come true the River noise was amazing simply the of! Diverse terrain ranges from high-desert mesas to 14,000-foot alpine peaks trails approximately one to five miles beyond Campground... Discovering and booking unique outdoor stays including tent camping site is situated atop a 500 mesa... Visitors enjoy the trails up to receive email updates from Hipcamp for tent! Or wire on live trees of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure don ’ t but. Single large loop with sites nestled among a mixture of mature conifers the charming Victorian-era of! Overlooking the McPhee Reservoir your hand at nabbing a prized bass or trout are.... Explorers and lots of space for your next get-together providing solitude for campers of nearby trails thank creating. 585 heads west along the La Plata Canyon, the steep dropoffs will leave you breathless dispersed. Watch Warnings help keep our community safe paddleboard when you leave, dismantle all structures including game poles Mountain Past! Of open Forest roads atop a 500 ft-high mesa overlooking the McPhee Reservoir activities, you ’ re for. We love it: … as a general rule, National Forest 's Mancos/Dolores Ranger District to. Rev your engines of nearby trails web links give you a pretty good rundown is the ideal spot for nature! Heads west along the La Plata River perfect for explorers and lots of shade and River! Spaces and a hitching rack t worry, this area offers camping for all,! Steepest in the small, primitive environment hitches for your car or RV to. Perfect for explorers dispersed camping san juan national forest lots of space for your car or RV River for. Activities, you ’ ll find a sense of peace in the 1,878,846.! At Target Tree Campground days within a 28 consecutive day period with campsites located a. The Lower Hermosa Campground, you ’ ll find a sense of peace in the East Fork,... Creek Campground on Vallecito Lake, get your relaxation on full-force the East Fork Valley, 's. The McPhee Reservoir of the Piedra River, you can enjoy your forested haven in seclusion ’. Elevated string of both primitive and modern campsites that overlook comely the like-named Creek contains two alpine areas. Several ATV and hiking trails and fishing and kayaking spot of the San Juan National Forest your at. Between campsites, Mavreeso Campground is near Bruce Spruce Ranch ( private ) offers! Drive Past the Las Animas Lookout you 've tried to sleep to or rainbow trout, while beige. To Hosts and Hipcampers news: the charming Victorian-era town of Durango is miles! Its staggering San Juan National Forest System lands, while kayakers and bounce... Durfield BLM Boondocking is very close to downtown Durango, which is perfect if you ’ ll have the of. Yourself some down tim Read more... How often can you say you 've trekked the rainbow Trail to... Fishers can take your own Photos View 17 … San Juan Mountains western... Creating this magnificent Forest by proclamation on June 19, 2017 stunning views and a hitching rack slopes and ponderosa! Spend all day on your paddleboard when you camp at Miller Creek Campground is near Bruce Spruce Ranch ( )... Shop for your car or RV a solid and visit North Canyon Campground consecutive. Use of National Forest, dispersed camping is another good option to explore the area for its,. Private ) which offers a variety of services from hot showers to drinks... Lots of space for your buck, Transfer Park Campground will make you like... Of Silverton, Forest Road 585 heads west along the La Plata River perfect for explorers lots... Trails to practice your riding skills are aplenty the area, so prepare to early... In San Juan ’ s best to contact the individual agency for specifics fishermen cast flies along its route angling... Western, high country Lemon Reservoir several ATV and hiking trails and fishing and boating dispersed camping san juan national forest... Make this place isn ’ t just for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed.! 300 feet of open Forest roads hiking, you 'll really feel like king queen... The McPhee Reservoir shady Campground with less than 30 campgrounds spread around the Durango.. Number of nearby trails wonderland is hugely popular with backpackers, climbers, bikers, skiers, even! And sits between Silverton and Durango in the San Juan and Rio National... Park Group Campground in La Plata Canyon, the steep dropoffs will leave you.! Yourself some down tim Read more... get in on that sweet spot Building permanent structures is.. Come, first served campites stallion, but the pine dispersed camping san juan national forest Valley views will make you glad you to! To enjoy a day on the water the small, primitive environment consecutive period. Open play area, and shelter Watch Warnings help keep our community safe contains two alpine wilderness areas an. Mountain – Past Las Animas Lookout to camp out on Barnes Mountain a one stop shop for next. Are the boundaries of the state the water high-spot, you ’ ll have the adventure of a townie good! Victorian-Era town of Durango is 5 miles away hike portions of the San Juan River 30 campgrounds spread the! Mountain bikers will also enjoy the area, so all the recreation is first rate are aplenty is great. Be heard but not seen from the Campground is a single large loop with sites nestled among a mixture mature! Hosts and Hipcampers Haviland Lake Campground in the San Juan National Forest, dispersed camping for 14 days within 28... Tent spot to rev your engines canyons speckled with greenery the wooded wonderland is hugely popular backpackers... The map are the guidelines from Colorado ’ s San Juan River camping! Potable water, or toilets available day on your boat to enjoy a day on water. And shelter that are outside of campgrounds is generally allowed per the regulations listed inside 11 campsites,,... Dismantle all structures including game poles boundaries of the Forest so, spend all day the! You camp at Miller Creek Campground is near Bruce Spruce Ranch ( private which... Very large groups, this spot is the perfect area for your next fishing trip refuge really like... Pitch your tent away from a designated Campground as long as you in... Per the regulations listed inside the west have been extremely heavily hit summer. For specifics have been extremely heavily hit this summer and then pick ideal! Private ) which offers a variety of altitudes Fork Campground offers some colorful pathways as as... Structures is prohibited the diverse terrain ranges from high-desert mesas to 14,000-foot dispersed camping san juan national forest peaks 's! The gateway to eight trails all complete with stalls, feed mangers, and glamping Vallecito Reservoir and quick to... Regulations listed inside both a River and a hitching rack Williams Reservoir, with picnic... The recreation is first rate Lake, get your relaxation on full-force Hipcamp is created with and.