Fishing enthusiasts will find Cayton Campground positioned along the Dolores River in San Juan National Forest, with direct water access from many sites. The Forest Service facility operates from May through September, accommodating RVs up to 70 feet with full hookups available in Loop A.
The campground spans two distinct areas connected by a dirt road lined with wildflowers during peak season. Loop A features 20 sites with electric, water, and sewer hookups priced at $41 per night, while Loop B offers seven non-electric sites at $30 nightly. Sara T. notes the "river was high & fast rushing, nice to listen & fall asleep to." Sites closest to the Dolores River provide the sound of flowing water, though campers also report hearing occasional highway traffic from the nearby road.
The facility includes vault toilets that reviewers consistently describe as clean, potable water spigots, and a dump station available for an additional fee. Firewood sales and on-site camp hosts add to the services. Some campers mention the drinking water can appear discolored, though it meets safety standards. Cell phone coverage is limited to nonexistent throughout the campground, with the nearest reliable service requiring a drive to Rico for places to camp around Rico.
Access involves driving on mountain roads that some reviewers describe as rough, particularly concerning for the seasonal closure period when snow makes passage difficult. The campground's location along the San Juan Scenic Byway provides access to hiking trails leading to nearby lakes and waterfalls. Reservations are accepted through the standard Forest Service system, with several first-come, first-served sites remaining in Loop B.
Cayton Campground works best for RV travelers seeking hookups near river access and tent campers comfortable with vault facilities who prioritize water proximity over complete quiet.
Description
Overview
Cayton Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145) and the Dolores River. Visitors enjoy the area for its great fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities.
Recreation
The Dolores River is a popular fishing destination that can often be crowded on summer weekends. Anglers will find rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. The area boasts some excellent trails. The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass. The Lizard Head and Cross Mountain Trails near Lizard Head Pass lead to alpine basins surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks. The Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to four-wheel drive vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road, behind Durango Mountain Resort, and leads to U.S. Highway 550.
Facilities
The campground offers 27 single-family campsites, many of which are situated along the river. Eighteen sites offer electric hookups. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
Natural Features
The campground is situated near the banks of the Dolores River, in a grassy meadow surrounded by fir and aspen trees. At an elevation of 9,400 feet, campers should expect cool evenings.
Nearby Attractions
The Priest Gulch Trailhead, 11 miles southwest of Rico, leads to the alpine country west of the campground. The Bear Creek Trail, 14 miles south of Rico, heads southeast into the La Plata Mountains. Other nearby trails include the Calico National Recreation Trail and the Rico-Silverton Trail. Highway 145, which runs between the campground and Telluride, offers some of the most majestic scenery along the San Juan Skyway, including views of the "14ers," which are peaks over 14,000 feet.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCayton Campground is located in Colorado near Rico
Directions
From Rico, travel northeast on Colorado Highway 145 for 6 miles. Turn right (east) on Forest Road 578 (Barlow Creek Road). The campground entrance is a half-mile further.
Address
San Juan NF
Rico, CO
Coordinates
37.7713889 N
107.9772222 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 5 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 32 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 5 hrs 3 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 5 hrs 28 min from Pueblo, CO
