San Juan National Forest holds Cimarrona Campground at roughly 8,400 feet elevation, where the sites divide into two distinct zones: an open field area suited to larger rigs and a wooded section where tent, van, and smaller vehicle campers tend to settle in. Cimarrona Creek runs alongside the campground. Cell service is limited at this elevation, and there are no water or electric hookups at any site.
Amenities are straightforward. A single hand-pump potable water station, clean vault toilets stocked with toilet paper, and a trash service operate in-season. Firewood sells for $8 per bundle from the camp host. Each site has a metal fire ring and a table. Some of the wooded sites sit on a slight slope, worth factoring in when choosing a spot. The Cimarrona trailhead sits directly behind site 18 and leads up into the Weminuche Wilderness, which gives the campground a useful staging function for multi-day trips. Fishing in the creek itself gets mixed reports, though anglers find better conditions south of Williams Creek Reservoir.
Crowd levels stay manageable. One reviewer noted the campground never fully filled on weekdays, though Saturday nights draw more campers who may be waiting for a site at Teal Campground down the road. No pets are allowed. The season runs from Memorial Day through November. Campers planning a longer stay in the region can browse campgrounds around Pagosa Springs for additional options at lower elevations.
Description
Overview
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to__first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival__as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
Cimarrona Campground__is located next to Cimarrona Creek with views of the meadow__and Williams__Reservior to the south. The campground has 21 sites. There are both sunny and shady sites to choose from as well as a__few sites that can handle large-sized RVs. Its only a short walk to fish in the creek. The campground is adjacent to the Cimarrona Trailhead.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
- Starting July 30th, 2026, fire restrictions are changing for the San Juan National Forest. Zone 1 Fire Restrictions drop from Stage II to Stage I. Zone II Fire Restrictions drop from Stage II to no restrictions. View attached maps for Zone I and II details.Under Stage I Fire Restrictions in Zone 1, the following are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in: a. A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); b. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or c. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
- Using an explosive.
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site.
- Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. Alert Start Date: July 30, 2026 Alert End Date: December 31, 2026 Order Number: 02-13-00-26-1
- Starting July 1, 2026 at 12:01am, Stage II Fire Prohibitions are in effect throughout the entire San Juan National Forest. The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands of the San Juan National Forest:
- Building,maintaining,attending,orusingafire,campfire,charcoalbarbecue,orgrill,except ifusingadevicesolelyfueledbyliquidorgasthatcanbeturnedonandoffinanareabarren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device.
- Smoking,exceptinanenclosedvehicleorbuilding.
- Weldingoroperatinganacetyleneorothertorchwithopenflame.
- Usinganexplosive. See forest order below for more detail. Alert Start Date: July 1, 2026 Alert End Date: December 31, 2026 Rec Sites Affected: Columbine Ranger DistrictPagosa Ranger DistrictDolores Ranger District Order Number: 02-13-00-26-10
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCimarrona Campground is located in Colorado near Pagosa Springs
Public CampgroundCoordinates
37.5389 N
107.2101 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
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 33 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 31 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 5 hrs 7 min from Pueblo, CO
- 5 hrs 11 min from Grand Junction, CO
