Rio Grande National Forest's Buffalo Pass Campground sits at just over 9,000 feet in elevation, spread across roughly three dozen sites in a ponderosa stand along a road corridor in Saguache County. The campground is drive-in accessible and open from late May through late November, with a maximum RV length of 52 feet. Sites are well-spaced, and reviewers consistently note that crowds stay light even on holiday weekends, with only a handful of sites occupied during a Memorial Day visit in 2023.
Cell service is essentially absent at the campground itself. AT&T users report no signal in the sites proper, though walking toward the cattleguard at the entrance can restore full bars. The road in draws repeated mention in reviews, with some visitors describing rough, bouncy conditions and at least one noting that certain paths require four-wheel drive. Campers exploring camping spots near Rio Grande National Forest should factor in road conditions when planning, especially later in the season. The sites themselves sit close enough to the main road that some traffic noise is audible, though traffic volume drops off at night.
Amenities include drinking water, flush-style toilets, picnic tables, and campfire rings. Water availability has varied across visits, with at least one reviewer advising campers to bring extra. Mosquitoes can be heavy in midsummer, particularly in July. Wildlife sightings have included moose. Nearby options for different terrain include Luders Creek to the west and Upper Crossing Guard Station to the southeast.
"Standard Forest Service toilets were clean," David R. notes, summarizing what most visitors find: a functional, low-frills Forest Service camp with open sightlines toward surrounding mountains, solid spacing between sites, and limited connectivity. It works well for campers who prioritize elevation, shade, and elbow room over amenities or access.
Description
The campground is pack it in, pack it out and comprised of a single large loop, surrounded by a grass meadow in a Ponderosa Pine grove. The sites are large and well spaced with sites #16, 17 and 18 on a dead-end spur with no turn around. The open areas are dotted with wildflowers. It is convenient to State Hwy 114 for an overnight stay.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBuffalo Pass Campground is located in Colorado near Sargents
Directions
Directions from Saguache, Colorado: Follow Colorado Highway 114 west for 27.6 miles, then take a gravel road 1.7 miles southwest into the Buffalo Pass Campground.
Coordinates
38.18585172 N
106.51819118 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 44 min from Pueblo, CO
- 3 hrs from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 5 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 4 hrs 38 min from Farmington, NM
