Morefield Campground — Mesa Verde National Park

Beautiful campsite, three mule deer strolled through, munching their dinner as we cooked ours. Well appointed store on site along with shower and laundry facilities. Campground had flush toilets— an appreciated amenity.

Pros: staying in MVNP!, flushing toilets and running (fresh) water everywhere, a nice variety of spots to choose from, nice showers available by the trading post

Cons: a bit pricey for what you get (40 bucks for no hookup), distance from the shower/shop requires driving, absolutely zero cell service whatsoever

Good showers, some of the camp sites have decent WiFi connection, fairly quiet, and wildlife (deer and prairie dogs) in camp side. Toilets not the best, lots of wasps

Don't go the wrong way on the road the ranger will get ya, lol. Stars and the moon where great. A lot of people but still super quiet by 830

When it comes to camping within Mesa Verde National Park, Morefield Campground is the only game in town. As noted by at least one other reviewer, the road from the park entrance to the campground can be challenging as it winds its way around the monolith that is the first prominent geographic feature reached once in the park.

Though the campground operator makes reservations, once in the campground site selection is first-come, first-served. After driving through the loops available for RVs and travel trailers, we selected a camp site in the Waipi Loop. The site selected was just barely adequate to accommodate our 18-foot travel trailer, but it was fairly level, requiring minimal leveling of the rig. Sites are well-spaced and close to restrooms and freshwater supplies.

We visited Mesa Verde National Park in early June 2023, well before the height of the tourist season. The camp store has not yet stocked many of the items it would probably stock later in the season so we cannot comment on how well it will fit the camper's needs later. There is a Sinclair gas station within the camp store complex, with gas available 24/7, payment is by credit/debit card. The shower facilities, located in the same complex, are free and reasonably clean though the drainage system leaves something to be desired - water accumulates in the stall and on the floor of the changing area.

We recommend Morefield Campground to visitors wishing to camp near the ruins. It is still another 15-20 miles from the campground to the ruins and museum. We encountered rain on each of the three nights we stayed so plan accordingly.

Our site was spacious! It's beautiful here, but I would not recommend pulling an RV to this camp. There's quite the road leading up to and back down from it. Not for the faint of heart. Sure wish there was a warning when I booked, and pulled my 60' of large machinery up that road. I'm not the same, will perhaps never drive a cliffside again. It's too bad. I used to like that sort of thing.

Stayed in a nice, small space with full hook-up with a 30ft RV. Despite close quarters, the spaces were cosy and private with fire pits and great peeks to the mountains. A lot of amenities (shop, laundry, gas station) and despite high season, the campground was not full at all.

A good campground within the park in gambel oak beside a mesa, though well-trafficked as you would imagine at a national park. However, many sites were open because there were so many sites. Stayed in the tent campground, and many of the sites were fairly private, in the gambel oak, while the other half of the sites were basically in the open, no privacy.

Laundry, gas, store, showers available. Showers are free, and are in little individual rooms, about 20 available, favorite thing about this campground haha. Bathrooms located throughout the campground, heated, lighted, flush toilets.

We were shocked to see it so empty. At the store and registration they have coin laundry , restrooms and showers and gas.

We had a roof top tent and were able to find a spot good enough to open up and still have room. The showers were nice and I even had warm water. Very clean and comfortable for tent camping

Lovely campsite that is first come first serve, if you have a tent spot. Showers, bathrooms and laundry sites not too far away. Was a bit frustrating that there were no bear boxes at the tent sites. Campgrounds were clean, but could hear generators from the other rv sites.

Not much in the way of shade, bathrooms are a little few and far between (but they're clean), no power hookups, no cell service, WiFi is essentially useless.

But my goodness, Mesa Verde is one of the most beautiful and unique places in the US. WELL worth the lack of amenities at the camp sites. There are plenty of visitor centers with cafes and shops, so at least you can get the basics.

Camp spots are choose your own.

The campsites are very nice, and the bathrooms are clean however they don’t have soap. The showers are also very nice but you have to drive to the registration office to use them.

Desert beauty, lots of ancient history and sites to visit. Campsites are okay, but with no water or electric in most of the sites (only 15 with full hookups and they are always reserved well in advance), $24 is steep. Fortunately for us, we got a senior discount. Was a bit concerned that they allowed campfires with red flag warnings all around! Lots of families, groups, walkers, runners, bikers, and every age there! Great for stargazing!!! Like that once you paid your fee, you got your pick of whatever site is available! Not a lot of shade, lots of birds, and springtime flora was abundant! Sites are dirt/sand/grass with a picnic table and fire pit. Water available at the restrooms.

Overall the sites are great and there is a lot to see and do.

The park should be ashamed of this campground. Sites are too close together. don't camp close to the bathroom because the lights never go out at night in defiance of dark sky protocols. Trash dumpsters are impossible to use. Transport your trash to the nearest overlook, instead.

sites are very, very close together. Prepare to be disappointed.

Sites are particularly small….bring your pup tent.

This campground was darn-near empty when we were there (due to COVID there were no dwelling tours), but we weren't complaining because we could do whatever hike or check out whatever dwelling we wanted to without the hassle finding parking or waiting for space to open in the walkable dwellings. 

Without a doubt this was a highlight of our trip. It would have been much more amazing to see the cliff dwellings close up, but we can do that another year! 

The campground itself was nestled up in some trees. There was little to no cell service, but at the store/ laundry area there was WiFi and "some" service. Our understanding was that they close the gate around sunset (the road is reallllly twisty and windy, so drive slow/ safely!) 

There is a hotel beyond the gate that has spectacular views, but we didn't stay there so not sure what the details are. 

This is a must stay (and if it's still COVID times, don't be discouraged about no tours!! It's still SOOOO worth it!!!)

This national park is so special and mesmerizing. I was sad the tours of all the villages were closed due to covid (I visited in September 2020, I have plans to return 2022 to do some tours). Most of the park you can see from driving and parking different spots, but there are also lots of hiking trails.

Shower tickets are included with your reservation (one of the few national parks with showers included in your reservation). They also offer a pancake breakfast at the store in the morning.

This is a beautiful and special place. Plan to stay a while so you can take it all in.

The campground is large, mostly flat. Limited trees where I was and unable to use hammock but other sites vary. Nice facilities at top of campground but too far to walk IMO for a shower so drive up.

Fantastic Rangers were stationed throughout the part and were clearly passionate about the park, it’s history and it’s preservation. Lots of cool wildlife roam throughout the campground, namely dear and wild horses. Clean plumbed toilets and access to potable water throughout the campground.

Some spots are tight and moldy maintained, but it doesn’t matter because the night sky is the cherry on top. What incredible star gazing.

Laundry and showers are a short 1/4 mile drive away, did not use but saw plenty of people utilizing the facilities.

Pros:

• Over 200 sites so was easy to pick up a site
• Campground had kennel to keep dog (but also a con that it was basically a cage in a garage)
• Good store at campground, along with showers, laundry, and restaurant
• Lot's of wildlife around camp (deer, wild horses)
• Got to choose our site

Cons:

• Sites were very basic and small - disppointing for a national park
• Sites were not level at all

All in all, it made a good home base for exploring Mesa Verde (and is really the only option)

A good campground with a lot of amenities at the entrance!

It was a nice and cozy campground. The sites are evenly spaced. They have huge deer that could walk through your site so store your food properly. Bathrooms are single person use. Other than that it was a nice spot to camp

This campground was very well maintained and the amenities were thoughtful, including bathrooms in convenient places that had potable water refill stations at them and bear boxes for when you were too tired to lock the food away in the car. The shower facility was very nice. The on-site shop didn't gauge you on ice and firewood prices. The staff was very friendly. I was impressed with how compliant even the weekend crowd was with quiet time. Overall it was a great experience!

Campground was clean. Sites are a mix of shade and privacy, but in general are pretty close to each other. Bathrooms were okay. Lights are on a timer at night. Tent only loop was more crowded than combine tent RV+tent loops. Showers were free at camp store.

The trees were a-shaking with cicada activity. I enjoyed staying here. I got a tip that deer were roaming through campsites so definitely keep your goodies locked up. The spot I chose was right by a water spout, bathroom, and wifi router. Even then the connection wasn't too strong.

Our first time staying actually inside of a national park. We were not disappointed. The sites are level with good water pressure. The registration process was super easy. Bring inside the park made exploring very easy. The only draw back, and it wasn’t a negative from my prospective was we had zero cell reception at our camp. Get unplugged!

Easy registration process. Great water pressure, Zero cell phone reception at camp sites! Unplug it! Being inside the park made the exploring super easy.

The Zuni Loop was the only area open when we were there. We tent camped. 

Positives: showers were open, lots of deer, night sky, so close to the interior of the Park, bear boxes, flushing toilets and running water in bathroom sinks. 

Negatives: smallest campsites I've ever seen > made it challenging to set up. We were told all toilets (3) in that loop were open, but they actually were not (the one closest to us was still locked until the 2nd or 3rd night). Not much privacy as the sites pretty much sat right on the road. 

Conclusion: would not return. Would much rather stay in the state park near Mancos which had HUGE shaded sites.

A sweet spot, the deer come into the campground in the morning to join you for coffee! Clean, campsites are fairly well isolated from one another.