Best Campgrounds near Arboles, CO
Arboles, Colorado provides a mix of developed campgrounds and dispersed camping areas centered around Navajo State Park and Navajo Lake. The region includes several established campgrounds with cabin options, including Rosa Campground, Tiffany Campground, and Carracas Campground within Navajo State Park, as well as Navajo Lake Resort RV Park and Campground. These mixed-use campgrounds accommodate tent camping, RV camping with hookups, and cabin rentals. For those seeking more primitive experiences, dispersed camping is available on nearby public lands, including Bayfield/Durango Dispersed Camping areas and Fossett Gulch Road.
Camping availability in the Arboles area follows seasonal patterns, with most developed campgrounds operating year-round at Navajo State Park, while some private campgrounds like Navajo Lake Resort operate from April through November. "The campgrounds are spread all throughout the lake which reaches from Northern New Mexico into Colorado," notes one camper familiar with the area. Road access to most developed sites is suitable for standard vehicles, though dispersed camping areas may require higher clearance. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly at dispersed sites. Campers should be prepared for high desert conditions with hot summer days, cool nights, and limited shade at some lakeside camping areas.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Arboles area, with many campers highlighting the proximity to Navajo Lake as a key feature. The lake provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation, with the marina offering boat rentals and other services. A reviewer mentioned that "if you don't have a boat or fancy water toys, Sims Mesa is where you should go. Much less crowded than the main marina." Several campgrounds feature electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities, particularly at the established sites within Navajo State Park. Campers seeking more solitude often prefer the dispersed camping options, which offer free camping but lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. The area's location provides convenient access to both Colorado and New Mexico attractions.
