3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Vallecito Resort in Bayfield houses cozy glamping accommodations along the picturesque shores of Vallecito Lake. The property offers a scenic mountain setting with full hookups and modern amenities, making it an excellent basecamp for exploring the San Juan National Forest. Each glamping unit provides a comfortable retreat with picnic tables and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The resort features a store with camping necessities and is open seasonally from May through October. According to a camper, "Vallecito Resort, situated near Durango, Colorado, caters to both full-time RV enthusiasts and vacationers seeking a mountain retreat. Nestled in the San Juan National Forest, it provides a serene natural setting with comprehensive amenities."
Guests at Bayfield glamping destinations enjoy proximity to numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. From Vallecito Lake's excellent fishing and boating to nearby hiking trails through alpine forests, visitors find abundant activities within minutes of their canvas accommodations. The Durango North-Riverside KOA, located approximately 20 minutes from Bayfield, features yurts among its glamping options with access to swimming pools, playgrounds, and organized activities for families. Cell service can be limited in the canyon areas, particularly at Vallecito Resort where one visitor noted, "Cell service for the entire area is non-existent from the bottom of the dam all the way to the subdivision of Forest Lakes." Most properties maintain WiFi access near main buildings to keep guests connected while enjoying their wilderness retreat.
"Full service, laundry facilities, pickleball court, grills in the public area, pool during summer months."
"CUSTOMER SERVICE: Friendly staff; shuffled our stay around so we could extend and not relocate during the week. WIFI/ CELL SERVICE: Camp wifi and speed seemed to work really well!"
from $47 - $197 / night
"It's perfect to pitch a tent or of dust, mud or rocks. Their bathrooms and showers are clean and welcome after a long day of riding. We had the train come through just feet from where we camped."
"We stopped to get out of the heat wave and visit durango. Full Hookups, emptied and reloaded water tanks, did laundry, swimming pool, great showers, 1/4 mi to the park for river accees for tubing."
from $45 - $70 / night
"It’s right on the lake but tucked away in some towering ponderosas, with lots and lots of space between each site."
"However, the area around the lake had captured my soul and I had been hankering to return in early summer to it witness the lovely lady in all her glory. She did not disappoint."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $31 - $39 / night
"Bathrooms are stall, showers are stall/ curtained. Camp was clean and well kept. We brought a small grill and scavenged rocks to set it on; ate like kings."
"The river was right behind our site and there was a small amount of privacy. Pool was superb. My only complaints are that the bathhouse I went to (old one) was pretty rough."
"No grass at the sites, but lots of grass all around. The laundry is located beside the pool - you can swim while waiting for our laundry."
"Clean sites, large enough for big rigs, full hookups, and great staff! Thanks for the fun!"
"It was very woodsy, and secluded! It was quiet a hike up and down a hill to go to the bathrooms. I loveeee that they have a dog park!"
"Several cabins, bathrooms & showers also available, but closed our week (scary virus). Nice, clean, non-heated pool was a plus. Friendly, helpful campsite hosts."
"beautiful campground and nice big sites. picnic tables and fire pit. need to understand some sites are along the road and not good for a bigger rig with slide outs. but also have backin sites great for"
"There are hookups at this campground and it isn't too far away from stores. Liked the place overall. No rushing waters but Haviland Lake took the attention. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 - $98 / night
"I did not give it 5 stars for a few reasons. 1, there is absolutely no cell service below the dam where the park is situated."
"Sites have picnic table and fire pit with grill. Access to camp ground is on a rock dirt road that goes from single to double lane off and on. I drove a 21foot bus with a 16x7 tandem axle trailer."
"The bathrooms are currently open and super clean! It’s also a great spot to set up base and go straight to the trails for hiking and dirt biking."
from $20 / night
"I don’t have the site number anymore (assigned at check in) but we were in the Zuni loop near the bathrooms."
"In the tent loop we stayed in (Navajo) there's a variation of how the sites are set up."
TravelerWe camped in the dry camping area and found a shady site. Bathrooms and water spigots were plenty. Avery nice camping experience.
We did not know what to expect in our visit to Mesa Verde. Plan to drive 50 miles or so inside the park to see all of the sites.
GuideBeautiful, quiet setting in San Juan National Forest with great mountain views. The drive in is easy enough, but it still feels nicely removed. Verizon coverage is pretty weak. Vault toilets onsite. There were two other campsites occupied during my stay and everyone was quiet and respectful. Would stay again.
GuideWe stayed here specifically because of trolley stop across the street from the campground. We took it into Durango twice, once to take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge and the other to walk around town. The campground sits right on the tracks for D-S, so you can watch the 3 trains go up in the morning and come back late in afternoon. Laundry room clean and lots of machines. Showers clean. Nice staff! The only negative is road noise from traffic if you're up in site close to road. Would return!
ScoutThe campgrounds themselves are very nice and the camp host is fabulous. I was in a tent. Fire ring with dousing water provided. Lots of spigots. Hwy 160 runs just south of the grounds. Trucks engine breaking, etc. heavy until 1100 at night and starts up again at 0500 AM. I think this would be best for people in RVs. Try to stick to the back furthest away from the highway.
GuideI was unsuccessful in reserving a campsite from my phone, but fortunately the campground is huge and getting a drive-up site was no problem. I arrived after the camp store closed and instructions were to pick an open site then check-in in the morning. This worked well because not all sites are equal - some are tiny, some are sloped, some you have to walk a path or up stairs to get to your table and tent pad. I was in the tent loop which got pretty crowded and noisy on the weekend, but I noticed that the other loops were nearly empty.
Free hot showers and a coin laundromat are available to all park visitors (you don't need to be camped there), there's a camp store and also small breakfast cafe that serves made to order breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and pancakes. There's a gas station (pricey) if you didn't plan your gas sufficiently for the long drive to the sites and a kennel because dogs aren't allowed on the trails or tours.
Deer regularly roamed through the campground, adding a nice touch.
RangerWe had a quiet spot in the Oraibi Loop near a restroom where we had views of the mountains and prairie down below. Lots of deer nearby and we even saw an owl after the sunset. Great camp store. Hot water for showers down by the store.
RangerBeautiful drive up to the campground lent way to being surrounded by tons of wildlife (deer and owls!) and unforgettable mountain landscapes. We got in late but finding our envelope was easy. Picked a great spot in our designated loop with no neighbors
Traveler2 1/2 miles into town and makes for a good bike ride. Bathroom, showers and laundry facilities are clean and well maintained. So helpful and contacting at the front desk and cute little store. A reasonable price and good location.
GuideMy first time camping at a NP and I loved it! So many sites available for non-electric campers on a Saturday in June. Sites and amenities were clean and accessible. Campground is close to a few trails. Unfortunately the WiFi did not work at the restrooms, but it did at the showers. Staff was so kind (s/o to Cheryl)! Definitely recommend the all you can eat pancakes at the cafe for breakfast! 🥞
Bayfield camping offers visitors access to the San Juan Mountains with elevations between 6,900-7,500 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak season. The region receives approximately 18 inches of annual rainfall, mostly during afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Most campgrounds within 30 miles of Bayfield operate seasonally from May through October due to winter snowfall.
Kayaking on Vallecito Reservoir: Launch from Pine Point Campground where the water is calm and clear. "The lake was great for kayaking and we saw a lot of people fishing. Great hiking trail that follows along a stream," reports one visitor at Haviland Lake Campground.
Historic train viewing: Watch the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from your campsite. "The greatest thing about this campground though is that the Durango steam train goes right through the campground. To see the historic train right from your camper or tent window is pretty great," notes a camper at United Campground of Durango.
Mountain biking access: Explore trails directly from Lower Hermosa Campground. "It's also a great spot to set up base and go straight to the trails for hiking and dirt biking. Great hammock trees and you get the feel of being out in the middle of the nowhere while actually being pretty close to town if needed," explains one reviewer.
Private sites with shade: Campers appreciate the natural spacing at many locations. "This is a very simple campground but just what we wanted. Pack in pack out, clean and well maintained sites, the only sound birdsong," states a visitor at Lower Hermosa Campground.
Access to town shuttles: Convenient transportation options exist for visitors without vehicles. "Not only does the train bisect the RV and Tent camping areas so you can watch it go by, but the city free trolley stop is right at the entrance and will take you to within a block and a half of the station downtown," reports a camper at United Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathroom facilities are consistently mentioned. "The bathrooms are currently open and super clean! It's also a great spot to set up base and go straight to the trails for hiking and dirt biking," notes a Lower Hermosa visitor.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly by location. "Cell service for the entire area is non-existent from the bottom of the dam all the way to the subdivision of Forest Lakes," explains a reviewer at Vallecito Resort, though many campgrounds maintain WiFi near office areas.
Weather patterns: Prepare for sudden afternoon storms, especially in summer. "The afternoon clouds rolled in like clockwork to provide a few showers and cool things down," notes a camper at Pine Point Campground.
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly during peak season. "We try to stay in site 18 as much as possible but you really have to make your reservations early. This is a very popular campground," advises a Pine Point visitor.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer pools for cooling off. "The campground is a little ways outside of historic Durango and less than an hour from Mesa Verde. The tent site I stayed in was near the showers/bathroom and laundry and in the middle of the ground but didn't feel like I was lacking privacy," mentions a visitor at Durango North-Riverside KOA.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities. "They had an ice cream station, outdoor movie watching area, pool, playground and other things. You can order breakfast and go to the trailer where it's cooked," reports a camper at Durango RV Resort.
Family site spacing: Some areas offer better privacy than others. "Very nice campground with a creek running through it. Bonus if you can get the creek side so you hear it all night. Well kept grounds. Very quiet and shady," mentions a visitor at HTR Durango Campground.
Utilities and hookup quality: Test electrical connections before setting up. "Thank God we had the surge protector and that I tested the outlet before plugging into the RV. The monitor indicated reverse polarity so we ended up having to move to another site. Always check your hookups before settling in," advises an RVer who stayed at HTR Durango.
Glamping close to Bayfield, Colorado: Several options for luxury tent camping exist within 20 minutes of town. "RV sites, some tent sites and cabins. Cabins have a single and a bunk, power, porch light, picnic tables and firepit. Office has firewood. Bathrooms are stall, showers are stall/curtained," notes a visitor describing glamping accommodations at Durango North-Riverside KOA.
Site selection for views: Premium sites offer better scenery but book quickly. "I recommend trying for sites 39-43 which have an incredible lake view," suggests a camper at Haviland Lake Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Bayfield, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Bayfield, CO is Durango RV Resort with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Bayfield, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 27 glamping camping locations near Bayfield, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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