Accessible via a gravel road with some washboard sections but no significant potholes, Forest Road 316 runs through San Juan National Forest and provides one of the more accommodating dispersed camping setups in the area. Campers towing large rigs have had good results here. One reviewer pulled a 30-foot toy hauler without issue. The road surface can get difficult in wet weather, so checking conditions before arriving in shoulder seasons makes sense.
Spots line both sides of the road as it climbs, ranging from open, unshaded pullouts to more sheltered positions under piñon pine and, higher up, aspen. As Dan B. noted, "towards the top the landscape changes from piñon pine to an aspen grove so you really get a few different options." That variety in terrain means campers can choose based on shade preference, rig size, or desire for some separation from neighbors. Free-range cattle are present in the area and have been heard making noise through the night, which is worth knowing before you commit to a site.
Road noise and passing traffic are part of the experience here. Generators have also been noted during busier summer weekends. Cell service from T-Mobile has been confirmed as reliable. Night skies tend to be dark, and the area is quiet once road traffic settles.
No facilities are on-site, so campers should arrive self-contained. There is no fee and no reservation system. Dogs are welcome. For those staging a trip into the broader region, camping near Mancos covers additional options across the area. Campers wanting free camping near San Juan National Forest will find this corridor has several alternatives close by, including Madden Peak Road Dispersed — San Juan NF to the north and Target Tree Campground a short distance to the southeast for campers who prefer a more developed setup.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsForest Road 316 Roadside Camp is located in Colorado near Mancos
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
37.34684701 N
108.2004028 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 9/11/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 39 usersLast on 9/11/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 47 usersLast on 9/11/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 24 usersLast on 9/11/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 39 usersLast on 9/11/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 47 usersLast on 9/11/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 55 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 36 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 42 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 54 min from Santa Fe, NM
