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Dispersed Camping

Buckles Lake Rd

6 Reviews

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Buckles Lake Rd in Colorado offers a dispersed camping experience surrounded by forested terrain. Temperatures can range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit during cooler months to highs in the 80s during warmer seasons. Nearby, campers can explore the scenic trails and natural beauty of the San Juan National Forest.

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Bruce Spruce Ranch

27 min away

East Fork San Juan River, USFS Road 667 - Dispersed Camping

36 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

1 hr 57 min from Farmington, NM
2 hrs 10 min from Santa Fe, NM
2 hrs 58 min from Albuquerque, NM
3 hrs 42 min from Pueblo, CO

Location

Buckles Lake Rd is located in Colorado

Coordinates

37.080296151107426 N
106.84210072527434 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 11/19/25
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 11/19/25

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verified by 6 users
Last on 11/19/25
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 11/19/25

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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General Info

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Bonnie B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2025

Beautiful Views

Spent one night at a campsite just off of the roadway. So serene and peaceful with beautiful views. Roads in were gravel and in good shape. Definitely want to come back and stay longer.

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Aly E.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2025

Perfect secluded

This is also county road 663. We only saw a few campers and the road goes 7 miles back. We found a spot at buckle road trail head and they had a vault toilet and fire pit! Elk and deer and nothing but peace. Not a soul around us for miles. Bugs wasn’t bad at all. And the drive up is gorgeous views. Take the short buckle trail to a lake and field! Well worth the hike! Photos in my review! Road isn’t bad and we didn’t need 4WD.

Month of VisitJune

Ronan G.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 17, 2025

Great Spot!

This was honestly the perfect spot while I was visiting Pagosa Springs (about 30 min drive from town).

The road coming in was mildly steep/curvy, but not at all difficult.

Verizon was spotty and only available a little higher up, but I was still able to get my work done and stream Netflix, with a little patience.

I spent almost a week there and hardly saw anyone. Spots are spaced well apart and its nice and quiet.

The views are great!

Month of VisitApril

Jeff P.

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 30, 2025

Beautiful site

Great location between Durango and Santa Fe, just south of Pagosa Springs. Forest Service road, well maintained. I stopped at about 8300 feet. Great site nestled in pine grove with gambrel oak. Several of the sites are pull through so easy to come in with a trailer. Nice view of snow capped mountains to the west. There is no one here. Road continues up to Navajo Peak. There is sign of cat activity, relatively recent scat and elk femur.

Month of VisitMarch

(6) View All

Karen B.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 6, 2022

Great views!

Stayed here for two nights over the 4th of July weekend. Able to find a spacious spot with a stellar view mid-day Saturday.

Road up to the spots is a bit windy but we were able to get our 17’ TT up no problem.

Area was quiet, except for some guy running his four wheeler at 11:30 PM one night. Guess he wanted to celebrate America’s birthday.

Would definitely stay again. Perfect spot between our home in NM and wanting to visit Pagosa Springs.

Month of VisitJuly

Michelle B.

Guide

Reviewed May. 28, 2022

Peaceful

Great place to get off the road. Only saw 3 other campers as I drove up the mountain (it’s a holiday weekend). Decent dirt road for any vehicle. Quiet and relaxing.

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

What hiking trails are accessible from Buckles Lake Trailhead?

The Buckles Lake Trailhead serves as a gateway to hiking in the surrounding national forest area. While specific named trails aren't detailed, the trailhead provides access to forest paths that allow hikers to explore the scenic pine groves, gambrel oak woodlands, and mountain views characteristic of this area. The higher elevation (around 8300 feet) offers beautiful vistas of snow-capped mountains in the distance. Wildlife viewing opportunities include elk and deer sightings along the trails.

What fishing opportunities are available at Buckles Lake?

Specific fishing information for Buckles Lake itself isn't detailed, but the area is situated in the San Juan National Forest region known for mountain lake and stream fishing opportunities. The higher elevation setting (approximately 8300 feet) suggests cool water conditions favorable for trout species common in Colorado mountain waters. For the most current fishing regulations, license requirements, and stocking information, check with Colorado Parks and Wildlife before your trip. The peaceful, secluded nature of the area makes it a potentially rewarding fishing destination.

How do I get to Buckles Lake Campground in Colorado?

Buckles Lake Road (also known as County Road 663) is located about 30 minutes from Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The road is well-maintained gravel suitable for most vehicles, though it does have some winding and mildly steep sections. The route extends approximately 7 miles back into the forest, climbing to an elevation of about 8300 feet. Most passenger vehicles can navigate the road without difficulty, and it's accessible for smaller trailers. Look for the Buckles Lake trailhead along the route, which offers established camping areas with amenities like fire pits.

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Buckles Lake Rd

Detours Nearby

Drive Time

Location

Coordinates

Connectivity

The Dyrt Alerts

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

For Vehicles

DISPERSED CAMPING

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

Contact

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Reviews

5.0

Beautiful Views

Perfect secluded

Great Spot!

Beautiful site

Great views!

Peaceful

What hiking trails are accessible from Buckles Lake Trailhead?

What fishing opportunities are available at Buckles Lake?

How do I get to Buckles Lake Campground in Colorado?