321 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The San Juan Mountains surrounding Cascade, Colorado feature diverse camping options ranging from developed sites to remote dispersed areas. Established campgrounds like Molas Lake Park & Campground near Silverton provide amenities including drinking water, showers, and picnic tables across 62 sites. For those seeking more primitive experiences, free dispersed camping can be found at Little Molas Lake Campground along the Colorado Trail or at Hermosa Park Road Dispersed areas. The region's camping landscape spans from high-elevation alpine settings above 9,000 feet to riverside locations along creeks and waterways, with options for tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and even glamping accommodations at locations like Durango North-Riverside KOA.
Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through September or October due to high elevation weather patterns. As one camper noted about Molas Lake, "This campground is at high elevation (~10,000'), so use caution if you aren't used to elevations, and the weather changes rapidly and violently most places in the San Juans." Road conditions vary significantly, with some sites accessible via paved highways while others require high-clearance vehicles on forest roads. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly at dispersed sites. Campgrounds near highways like US 550 (the Million Dollar Highway) fill quickly during summer weekends and holiday periods, making advance reservations essential for established sites. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and afternoon thunderstorms frequently occur in summer months.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with locations near lakes and creeks being particularly sought after. A reviewer of Hermosa Park Road camping noted, "We found a gem of a spot that has the creek running north to south and the Hermosa Creek running east to west. We were surrounded by water on three sides." Many campgrounds serve as basecamps for outdoor recreation, with the Colorado Trail passing directly through some sites. Proximity to towns like Silverton, Durango, and Ouray allows for supply runs and cultural experiences. Campers frequently mention the stunning mountain views, with one visitor to South Mineral Campground describing "tremendous views, with the San Juan peaks high above you and waterfalls cascading in every direction."
"I've spent quite a bit of time at various sites around this campground during annual vacations and using it as a base for geological field work nearby."
"Small lake with non-motorized boating and fishing. Level sites, pit toilets, tables, fire rings, and camp store. Kayaks for rent."
from $25 - $45 / night
Check Availability"I stayed at Haviland Lake near Durango, Colorado for three days, but could have stayed for a week or more!"
"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. "
from $32 - $98 / night
Check Availability"Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."
"One of those classic colorado vistas, with outdoors feel, safe swimming for children and all round good times."
"Nice little campground on the Million Dollar Highway heading between Durango and Silverton, with the Colorado Trail passing right through the campground."
"Beautiful campsite with easy access to lots of fun trails, including the CO trail. Only a short drive from Silverton and an hour or so outside Durango"
"Had a wonderful stay right next to the lake. Woke up to the sounds of birds. Sites include RV/van sites (2?) and at least six tent only sites. Each night only one other site was occupied."
"Pulled into this area late one evening on a fall camping trip across Colorado. Totally expected it to be full but there were a couple areas left to setup thankfully."
"Outside of Durango, away from the road, all you hear is the river running by. The sites are all large and the grounds are immaculate. We stayed 5 nights and were very sad to leave."
"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."
"Was a really nice area with a ton of campsites off the dirt path or close to the river."
"Lots of fire rings scattered around the rocky area. This site can get very full and very loud as it is very popular and close to Silverton."
"Flat grassy site, good distance away from the campground below. Had the place to ourselves"
"Dispersed camping, no amenities, but beautiful location. Little streams running nearby, wildlife viewing, the drive up the slope is beautiful as well"
"One of the most beautiful in Colorado and that's saying a lot. Our site was big and it was right by Vallecito Creek. Big drought conditions going on this year so the reservoir was pretty low."
"Stores are close to the camp area if you need supplies. The trailhead for the Vallecito river trail is right there. It’s a beautiful hike through the Weminuche Wilderness area."
from $32 - $45 / night
Check Availability"The views all around a tremendous, with the San Juan peaks high above you and waterfalls cascading in every direction."
"On the way there you will pass several single dispersed campsites next to the river or in the reeds by the beaver ponds, as well as a few semi developed dispersed campgrounds."
from $40 / night
Check Availability
GuideGreat spot to stop on our way to Sand Dunes NP. Easy drive-in, with good dirt roads. The site I'm at is shaded, and there's a fire pit. There is plenty of room for my GSD to run around off leash, and far enough from other campers.
GuideDirections take you directly to the opening, but a few different roads I drive down before figuring out where the sites were. A little road noise in the morning, but peaceful and close to town.
GuideSauls Creek is located southeast of Bayfield, Colorado and approximately 25 miles east of Durango. Access is via LaPlata County Road 566partly gravel) off Highway 160. Big rigs traveling westbound should use the east end of 566 off of the Bayfield Parkway as the east end has a hairpin right turn which our 41’ 5th wheel would never have made without a lot of maneuvering and blocking traffic to accomplish it. From 566 take 557, also gravel, and enter the “park” on 558. 558 is FSR 755. Campsites are widely separated and vary in size from car/van camper to a couple which fit large rigs. Sites are back in, pull through or park and walk in. Terrain is hilly with pine forest or open meadow. We camped in the first large keyhole pull off on 755A, nestled in a pine grove on a hill overlooking meadows on two sides. Minimal traffic even on weekends - mostly equine, walkers and a few vehicles including dirt bikes and quads. The area is popular with hikers and cyclists as they have “off road” trails to themselves.
Our site was perfect for us and could have accommodated multiple RVs. No amenities. Pack in; pack out.
GuideI stayed here last year. Got my same site from a year ago. Price has gone up. It’s $40 a night $20 with a senior discount. Very dusty road coming in but worth it very quiet can hear the creek. We’ll always come back.
GuideOnly a few miles from Mesa Verde NP. Easy drive-in, very clean, and great views.
ScoutWe got here at 2 and there was a hand full of first come first serve. They have signs for bear activity everywhere.
TravelerWe arrived on a Sunday afternoon and had intended on going to Priest Lake Campground, but when we arrived we learned that no trailers were allowed. We checked out Sunshine and one other nearby campground that started with an M, but neither offered much privacy or shade. So we went back up and found an amazing dispersed spot near Lizard Head Pass, on the Galloping Goose Trail. The road in was bumpy but not too bad. The entry into the site we chose was somewhat treacherous (meaning we nearly pulled the rear bumper off our pop-up camper getting in and out of there). But it was totally worth it! I've included a pic of the spot where we camped and a pic I snapped from inside the camper when I woke up the first morning of our stay. Plenty of shade. You can hear road noise from Hwy 145 during the day, but it was very quiet at night. Lots of privacy. It is dispersed, so no amenities (toilet, fire ring, picnic table, etc). There was absolutely no Verizon service if that is important to you. We loved this spot and would return, even if it does mean we have to replace the trailer bumper.
GuideJust of the road, you will need a high clearance vehicle. Getting in isn’t the issue, it’s getting out. You can check it out before driving down. There is a fire pit and you can scramble down to the river to fish from here.
GuideCampsite 4 has privacy, table, fire ring (no fires allowed currently) and shade. The river is right in front of you. You can hear the road noise but traffic practically disappears as the sun goes down and all you hear is the river.
Camping areas near Cascade, Colorado range in elevation from 7,500 to over 10,000 feet with most sites accessible from May through October when snowpack retreats. Weather patterns in the San Juan Mountains create frequent afternoon thunderstorms from July through August. Water access remains a key consideration with roughly 60% of campsites located near creeks, rivers, or lakes.
Fishing opportunities: Haviland Lake Campground provides easy lake access where trout are plentiful. "Nice level sites w electric. Great access to fishing. Camp hosts were very engaged. Clean pit toilets. Lots of hiking in area. 30 minutes to Durango," notes Donald S.
Creek exploration: Hermosa Park Road Dispersed offers multiple spots along flowing water. "We went night fishing at the dock. Slept at the camp grounds, everyone was friendly, and it was quiet, restroom facilities were very clean," says Dani Y. about nearby waterways. Sites vary from large open areas to secluded creek-side spots.
Trail access: Little Molas Lake Campground connects directly to the Colorado Trail system. "Amazing last-minute site/campground after our others fell through. Beautiful views, decent restrooms, spacious sites, and all around a great place at the price of free!" explains Chris, highlighting this high-elevation base camp.
Private waterside sites: Campers consistently rate creek-adjacent spots highly. At Kendall Camping Area, "We found an awesome very secluded spot next to the river. We have a 34ft travel trailer and f-250 and was very easy to access," reports Jeanna C.
No-cost options: Free dispersed camping remains popular across the region. "This campground is at high elevation (~10,000'), so use caution if you aren't used to elevations," warns a camper about elevation challenges at sites like Priest Lake where "This is a dispersed site—pack in/pack out (especially garbage; the nearest dumpster is in the town of Telluride)," according to Christina A.
Wildlife sightings: Animal encounters add value to camping experiences. "Saw Moose in the creek, very cool!! Bathroom was unlocked a couple days after I got there and it was well maintained and clean," reports Templeton B. from Kendall Camping Area. Bear activity requires proper food storage at most sites.
Road conditions vary drastically: Access roads range from paved highways to rough forest roads. For Alta Lakes Campground, "The road to get to the area can be a little rough, but most cars can make it if they drive slow," notes Tyler M., though many sites suggest high-clearance vehicles.
Toilet facilities limited: Most dispersed sites lack facilities. At Priest Lake, "The bathrooms were still closed although the sign said they hoped to have it ready by Memorial Day this weekend," reports Kelsey I. Even established sites may have basic vault toilets without supplies.
Cell service unreliable: Connectivity disappears at higher elevations and in valleys. "There is 1-bar 5G Verizon, and 2-bars AT&T 4G that were both spotty; cloud cover between the lake and Silverton caused occasional intermittent connectivity," explains RaD_Travels about Little Molas Lake.
Choose accessible water features: Sites with shallow water access work best with children. At Vallecito Campground, "The campground is clean, quiet, and well taken care of. Close to the river, reservoir, and great adventure access," reports Emma T.
Pack for temperature swings: High-elevation sites experience significant day-to-night changes. "It was a very beautiful section of the Rockies. It is about 7 miles south of Silverton Co above 10,000 ft," notes Christopher K. about Little Molas Lake. Nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer.
Plan for afternoon weather: Thunderstorms typically develop between 2-4pm at higher elevations. "The night I stayed a few deer came through which just reminded me that we were in wildlife territory. Only thing that caught me up was the campsite is over 10,000 feet, weather can change quickly," warns Davis F.
Site leveling challenges: Many dispersed areas have uneven parking pads. "The 'parking area' has some rocks and is a bit uneven. We have a 33ft 5th wheel camper. We had to go slow to not scrap our jacks," shares Sarah L. about Kendall Camping Area.
Water access planning: No hookups means carrying sufficient water. At Lower Hermosa Campground, "Unfortunately, there is no water or trash station. However, you can refill portable water affordably at the Hydration Station in Durango or for free at the Durango Montessori School," advises Martin W.
Elevation impacts generators: High elevations affect engine performance. At Little Molas Lake, "Elevation is about 10,300 and posed a problem for our generator that caused severe spark-plug fouling. But, re-jetting the carburetor from a #61 to #58 solved the problem," explains RaD_Travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Cascade Campground?
While specific amenities for Cascade Campground aren't detailed, similar campgrounds in Colorado's mountain regions typically offer basic facilities. Matterhorn — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forest provides well-maintained campsites with a good balance of comfort and outdoor adventure. Many mountain campgrounds feature vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and access to nearby hiking trails. For those seeking more amenities, Dolores River RV Resort by Rjourney offers full RV hookups at 7,000 feet elevation with easy access to regional attractions.
Where is Cascade Campground located in Colorado?
Based on campgrounds in the region, Cascade Campground is likely located in southwestern Colorado, near the San Juan Mountains. The area is known for its spectacular mountain scenery with cascading waterfalls. For comparison, South Mineral Campground — San Juan National Forest is situated in this region with views of San Juan peaks and waterfalls cascading in multiple directions. Similarly, Dispersed Campsites on 591 near 550 are positioned between Durango and Silverton along the Million Dollar Highway corridor.
Do I need reservations for Cascade Campground in Colorado?
Reservation requirements for campgrounds in Colorado's mountain regions vary by location and season. Molas Lake Park & Campground is well-maintained with leveled tent pads but can be popular, suggesting reservations are beneficial during peak seasons. Similarly, Little Molas Lake Campground on the Million Dollar Highway can fill up quickly during summer months. For many Forest Service campgrounds in Colorado, reservations can be made through recreation.gov. During peak season (June-September), reservations are highly recommended for established campgrounds in scenic mountain areas.
Keep Exploring
