Glamping near Durango showcases the diverse camping options in the San Juan Mountains. Located 30-45 minutes from downtown Durango, these campgrounds sit at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 10,300 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, with summer daytime highs reaching the upper 80s.
What to do
Fishing access: at Pine Point Campground: The reservoir provides excellent fishing opportunities. "The fishermen in boats were a hoot to watch, and it seemed they did very well. We are Kayakers and enjoyed our early morning paddles. You really have to pay attention to the wind on this lake as it can whip up the surface in minutes," reports a camper at Pine Point Campground.
Historic train viewing: Camp near the tracks to witness the Durango-Silverton train. "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 visitor at United Campground of Durango. Train schedules vary seasonally, with more frequent summer departures.
Trails from camp: Access hiking trails directly from several campgrounds. "There are several trails around the park and lake that leave right from the campground," according to a camper at Haviland Lake Campground. The nearby Castle Rock trail comes highly recommended by reviewers.
What campers like
Mountain views: Campers consistently mention the spectacular views from Little Molas Lake Campground. "You literally cannot beat the views of the San Juan mountains. This area is beautiful," writes one visitor at Little Molas Lake Campground. The site sits at approximately 10,300 feet elevation, providing panoramic mountain vistas.
Waterfront sites: Creekside and lakefront camping spots are highly sought-after. "Our spots were on the river and were beautiful. The pizza was good also when we didn't feel like cooking," mentions a camper at Durango North-Riverside KOA. Waterfront sites typically book months in advance during peak season.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathrooms and showers. "The bathrooms are very nice and have two shower houses located on the campground. The breakfast is awesome and it's fun to relax in the pool they have on site," reports a visitor at Oasis RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from May through September or October. "May was still too cold to go into the water but I am looking forward to going back this July," notes a camper at Pine Point Campground.
Elevation challenges: High-altitude campgrounds present unique considerations. "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," shares a visitor at Little Molas Lake Campground.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "We left a night early bc we're not prepared for below freezing," reports a camper at Morefield Campground. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of season.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Some campgrounds offer swimming pools for kids. "The pool was welcome relief for the kids and we enjoyed talking to fellow campers visiting from around the country and England!" writes a visitor at HTR Durango Campground.
Quiet campgrounds: For peaceful family camping, choose more secluded options. "It is a very popular place on the weekend, but during the week it is much quieter. Most of the weekend traffic is heading to the trailhead for hiking or biking," notes a visitor at Little Molas Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Keep an eye out for wildlife around camp. "We even saw a lynx on the bank one morning!" shares one lucky camper at Little Molas Lake Campground. Wildlife sightings are more common at dawn and dusk.
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Check specific site dimensions before booking. "There are 8 sites here, several large enough for my 34' fifth-wheel trailer, one is a pull-through with two sites," explains an RVer at Little Molas Lake Campground.
Hook-up availability: Full-service RV sites are limited. "We stayed in a full hook up site. Some of the sites were a little tricky to get in for big campers. We were in site 171 and have a 33 ft 5th wheel," advises a camper at Morefield Campground.
Road access: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "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," shares an RVer at Lower Hermosa Campground.
