Established Camping
Transfer Campground
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!
ALERT: STAGE 2 FIRE BAN NOW IN EFFECT! Due to increased risk of wildfires, the San Juan National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities within the forest. These restrictions begin August 8, 2025.This is from Order #02-13-00-25-13 and is in effect until December 31, 2025 or unless rescinded earlier.Restrictions include:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including a charcoal fire and pellet fire on all National Forest System lands. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are allowed as they can be switched off instantly.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited year-round on national forest lands.
- Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
PLEASE NOTE that the Horse Sites are located before reaching the campground on the opposite side of the road off FSR 561. The Horse Sites are in a separate area.
Transfer Campground is located in the San Juan National Forest near Mancos, CO. The area features forested terrain with elevations that can influence temperature, typically ranging from 30°F to 80°F depending on the season. Nearby attractions include Mesa Verde National Park and the scenic trails of the San Juan Mountains, offering opportunities for hiking and exploration.
Description
US Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
Overview
Transfer Campground, located approximately 11 miles north of Mancos, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest, is known for its access to many area recreation trails.
Recreation
Recreational opportunities abound at and near this facility for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and ATV riding. Many campers bring their ATVs and motorbikes to ride on the Aspen Loop Trail (just 1/2 mile north of the campground). There are a number of trailheads nearby the campground, including Big Al Interpretive Trail, Rim Trail and Box Canyon Trail. More trails are available in the surrounding area including: Chicken Creek Trail, Morrison Trail, Gold Run Trail and West Mancos Trail.
Facilities
The campground offers 12 first-come, first-serve family sites and one overnight group site. The reservable group site has five double picnic tables, a large group area, a serving table and cooking grills. A vault toilet restroom is located near the group area. The 12 first-come, first-serve campsites offer one vault toilet and barrier free camping. Parking spaces are small, but can accommodate some RVs. Horses are not allowed in the campground, but there are corrals with five sites adjacent to the campground on Forest Road 561.
Natural Features
The campground is situated at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Surrounded by whispering aspen and making for a great camping atmosphere, visitors will enjoy the sounds of birds and the occasional horse neighing in the corrals across the road.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Jackson Gulch Reservoir, just six miles south of the campground for a relaxing day of fishing or hike one of the many trails nearby the campground. Visit the historic town of Mancos and learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited this area from approximately AD 1 to AD 1300.
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. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
Location
Transfer Campground is located in Colorado
Directions
From Mancos, CO: travel 1/4 mile north on Hwy 184, turn right on West Mancos Road (Forest Road 561) and travel 10.5 miles to the campground. Most of the road is unpaved, but has a good gravel surface. PLEASE NOTE that the Horse Sites are located before reaching the campground on the opposite side of the road off FSR 561, a totally separate area.
Address
17541 FS 565
Mancos, CO 81328
Coordinates
37.4672222 N
108.21 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Farmington
- 3 hrs 55 min from Grand Junction
- 4 hrs 2 min from Albuquerque
- 4 hrs 20 min from Santa Fe