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Nature
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Water
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Activities

Established Camping

Purgatoire Campground

Purgatoire Campground, near Canon City, Colorado, is a peaceful spot that offers a true escape into nature. With its beautiful high-altitude forest setting, it’s perfect for those seeking solitude and a chance to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

This campground features basic amenities, including pit toilets and drinking water, but don’t expect any frills like electric hookups or showers. Visitors have noted the stunning starry skies and the tranquility of the area, making it a great choice for stargazers and nature lovers alike. One camper mentioned, “Beautiful star viewing,” highlighting the clear nights you can enjoy here.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the campground is a gateway to fantastic hiking opportunities in the surrounding mountains. The road leading in can be a bit rough, but it’s worth it for the serene environment and the chance to explore nearby attractions like the Spanish Peaks. As one reviewer put it, “If you’re in the vicinity of the Spanish Peaks and looking for some great mountain camping, this is your place!”

While the campground is basic, it’s clean and well-maintained, thanks to the camp host. Just remember to pack in what you need, as there are no markets nearby. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Purgatoire Campground offers a refreshing retreat into the heart of Colorado’s wilderness.

Description

USDA Forest Service

PSICC

Overview

Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce.Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.

Recreation

The North Fork Trail # 1309 is located on the north end of the campground and offers non-motorized access to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The 5-mile trail delights with mountain vistas and shade from forested terrain. The river, which is creek-sized at these upper reaches, provides opportunities for anglers to cast for trout.

Natural Features

The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River. Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby towns of Stonewall and Cuchara offer shopping and restaurants.

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.

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Location

Purgatoire Campground is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From La Veta, Colorado, take State Route 12 south for 25.3 miles to Purgatoire campground sign. Turn right onto gravel Route 34. Go 0.2 miles to \"T\" intersection. Turn right and drive 4 miles on rough gravel road to campground.

Address

SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT 3028 EAST MAIN STREET
Canon city, CO 81212

Coordinates

37.2525 N
105.1091667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

Reviews

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

17%
50%
17%
17%
0%

3.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 15, 2022

Purgatoire Site #8

This was a beautiful peaceful camp ground. Very quiet. It has a pit toilet which was decent - better than having to use or portable. No cell phone service.

Site8
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Kathy W., June 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Kathy W., June 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Kathy W., June 15, 2022
Reviewed May. 28, 2022

Fantastic high mountain FS campground

I can understand rating this campground low if you were hoping to find a Ritz Carlton at the end of the 4-mile rough road, but if you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place!  The worst we can say about it was that we visited in the height of mud season and it made leveling our rig a little tricky as the levelling blocks kept sinking in the soft Dyrt under the weight of our wheels, but we eventually figured it out.  There was snow on the ground and snow flurries during our visit.  We basically had the whole campground to ourselves on a mid-week evening, maybe two others in the entire campground.  Our rig is 28' long, and if the place had been more crowded we may have had trouble finding a spot long enough for us, but given how empty it was we had our pick of multiple sites that worked.  Overall a very cool spot off the Highway of Legends.  If you're in the vicinity of the Spanish Peaks and looking for some great mountain camping, this is your place!

Site13 (labeled as an "Equestrian" site)
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Jeff T., May 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Jeff T., May 28, 2022
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Jeff T., May 28, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 30, 2021

Good camping spot

Liked the camp spots (ours was 14). Mark (the camp host) kept everything clean. Beautiful star viewing. 4 mile dirt road was a bit rough bringing my camper. Verizon coverage had 1 bar at the south end.

Site14
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Greg K., August 30, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2019

Average at Best

Didn’t stay here but visited it while in the area to review and also scout for next trip to the area. Not sure how the listing can state fresh water when there isn’t any. This is a very basic and primitive campground so don’t expect too much.

Reviewed Apr. 30, 2019

Mountain Isolation

No access to electric or water. Road to camp is rough. Beautiful scenery. Short drive to Chucara and Stonewall.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2017

Elk hunt camp

Camp site is basic. Simple sites, some with a better set up for tents than others. It was late in the season but the outhouse was still open. There is water from the stream, I didn't see a fresh water spigot.

  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Mike S., October 19, 2017
  • Review photo of Purgatoire Campground by Mike S., October 19, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Purgatoire Campground?

    Purgatoire Campground allows vehicles up to 45 feet.

  • Does Purgatoire Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Purgatoire Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Purgatoire Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is good.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Purgatoire Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Purgatoire Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Purgatoire Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Purgatoire Campground?

    There are 23 campsites at Purgatoire Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts