Best Campgrounds near Del Norte, CO

Searching for the best camping near Del Norte, CO? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Colorado camping has to offer. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Colorado camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Del Norte, Colorado (214)

    1. Woods & River RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Del Norte, CO
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (719) 657-4530

    "LESS THAN ONE MILE FROM DEL NORTE WITH SHOPS AND DELICIOUS MICRO BREWERY AND MICRO BAKERY (WHICH OPENED THE DAY WE ARRIVED).  HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR FAMILIES AND PETS."

    "Great place in an awesome location! Stayed for 3 months beginning of 2020 and had a great time! The host is always checking to make sure your stay is everything g you need!"

    2. Natural Arch Dispersed Site

    8 Reviews
    Del Norte, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 657-3321

    "Great site 3 miles off the main highway. Never saw another person. Great views of the mountains, cool rock features, and lots of cactus."

    "Found a couple sites near the road headed into the arch. The area has many trails and other outdoor opportunities."

    3. Del Norte City Park

    5 Reviews
    Del Norte, CO
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 657-3400

    "Short drive off the 160. Signs at this park indicate this as a FREE dump station and water fill station for RVs. 5 spots to park overnight, 1 night stay authorized."

    5. Penitente Canyon Campground

    5 Reviews
    Center, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 852-7074

    $20 / night

    "Amazing proximity to Penitente Canyon rec area, perfect for climbers especially!"

    "There are composting toilets, no showers, and no access to River water."

    6. South Fork Campground

    4 Reviews
    South Fork, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 873-5500

    $29 - $42 / night

    "Nestled next to the Rio Grande River hand its gorgeous. This is the Rio Grande in Colorado so there's plenty of running water for tubing, rafting and fishing."

    "There is an office at the entrance and the staff were friendly. Next to the office is a community room and laundry room.

    The RV sites have water and electric hookup."

    7. Cathedral Campground

    8 Reviews
    South Fork, CO
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 657-3321

    $11 / night

    "It’s about 10 miles off the highway down a narrow, dirt road, and there were plenty of empty spots over the Holiday weekend."

    "Great location, easy drive on a road, would maybe have a hard time turning into campsite with large camper. Only negative is no water. It's a really awesome free campground. Great stream."

    8. Schofield Homestead

    1 Review
    Monte Vista, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 465-4502

    $90 / night

    "The On-site camper at Schofield Homestead has an awesome location near the Sangre De Cristo Mountains & tons of cool spots around their property. "

    9. South Fork Lodge & RV Park

    5 Reviews
    South Fork, CO
    16 miles
    +1 (719) 873-5303

    "They also have great trails close that you can drive to via atv or ohv's. Wonderful views all around from our campsites! Great mom and pop business that is reasonably priced."

    "Only an hour from the Sand Dunes, 45 min from Creede, and close to Three Barrel Brewing Co!

    The cabin was perfect, full bathroom, half kitchen, and plenty of sweetness that makes you feel cozy!"

    10. Old Spanish Trail

    1 Review
    Del Norte, CO
    6 miles
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Showing results 1-10 of 214 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Del Norte, CO

925 Reviews of 214 Del Norte Campgrounds


  • Nathaniel F.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Crestone Needle Trail

    Good Sandy Camp Spot

    This place was a nice spot for dispersed camping! Lots of spots, and super easy to find just off the road. A bit sandy, but the soil underneath worked for stakes. The temp was cool, but not cold—great for early September!

  • G
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Creede, CO Overlook

    Get your camera out, this is picture perfect

    The farther you go, the steeper some of the hills get. I saw a large 5th wheel and a class A near the beginning. The last spot occupied was a capable Toyota 4Runner. Our 2-wheel drive made it to the top of the bald. 2bar for Verizon. I can see a cell tower across the valley, which must be T-Mobile, or I would have a stronger signal. Very short drive into town. Depending on your fitness level, an hour hike into town and back up. We had OHV vehicles drive by. The older the driver, the more they slowed down;) To avoid kicking up dust.

  • Julie K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Turkey Springs

    Quiet Spot Among the Trees

    Easy access to flat spots. Tall trees and very quiet. There was trash that we picked up. It looked like there were some long term campers. I would camp there again.

  • Christopher P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Del Norte City Park

    Nice city park

    City allows one overnight parking. Dump and water for RVs.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Ventana Arch Dispersed Camp

    What a spot!

    Was going to stop at the dispersed camping which is before this one. Decided to continue on and take my chances. So glad I did. Beautiful scenery, so quiet. It’s a mental escape. There are flies here now so have kept the Tune closed up.

  • Bonnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    East Fork Campground

    Need water

    The park was beautiful. We know this is a campground with no connections at the sites but we did expect to be able to fill our tank at the water stations. There is not way to connect a hose at the stations. The host advised we would have to use buckets for water and we were not prepared for that. He also advised Pagosa Springs was in water conservation and did not offer any public water access. We did not stay the two nights we had reserved and went to a different campground.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Pass Creek Road Dispersed Camping

    Nice spot, quick and easy to get to off the main road.

    Traveling through the area and needed an easy location, this fit the bill. Wide open area with fire pit and some wood gathered. Sufficiently distant from neighboring sites. A little local road traffic with dust from ATV haulers. Across the valley from the highway so some road noise but nothing terribly annoying.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Sacred White Shell Dispersed Camping

    Great spots, amazing views

    Camping here now, be prepared there is no anything. Wonderful views of multiple 14ers, and the sand dunes very close by.

  • Bonnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Buckles Lake Rd

    Beautiful Views

    Spent one night at a campsite just off of the roadway. So serene and peaceful with beautiful views. Roads in were gravel and in good shape. Definitely want to come back and stay longer.


Guide to Del Norte

Camping near Del Norte, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax under the stars, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking the Dunes: Explore the trails leading to the Great Sand Dunes National Park from Pinon Flats Campground. One camper mentioned, "From the campground, you can easily hike up to the creek and the east face of the dunes within 15-30 minutes."
  • Visit Zapata Falls: Just a short drive from Zapata Falls Campground, you can hike to the beautiful waterfall. A reviewer said, "The hike to the falls is short and worth it."
  • Stargazing: The area is known for its dark skies. One camper at Sacred White Shell Mountain noted, "What a fantastic stop!! You don't get this at KOA!!"

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the breathtaking scenery. A review from Pagosa Riverside Campground highlights, "The campgrounds are beautiful, scenic, and peaceful."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, like East Fork Campground, are well-maintained. One camper shared, "The bathrooms were ridiculously clean pit toilets but so clean."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers appreciate the welcoming atmosphere. A visitor at Alamosa KOA said, "The staff really make this place five stars. So sweet and helpful and welcoming!"

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Pinon Flats Campground warned, "In July, there were a ton of mosquitoes everywhere except over the sand."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Zapata Falls Campground, lack certain amenities. One review mentioned, "Bathrooms were locked and no host on site today maybe due to holiday."
  • Reservations Needed: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season. A camper at Great Sand Dunes Oasis noted, "You do have to reserve online now in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Sand Dunes Recreation, which has pools and activities for kids. A camper said, "You come here for the pool, especially the Greenhouse (adult only paradise)."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and bug spray. One family at Mosca Campground mentioned, "The bugs were awful and with free electricity we could hide in our camper with AC."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of nearby attractions. A camper at Pagosa Riverside Campground suggested, "The hosts were the kindest people, I was treated with 'We're glad to have you, thank you for coming to stay.'"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at East Fork Campground noted, "Almost every site is big and well spaced."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Great Sand Dunes Oasis offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. A camper mentioned, "Our RV spot had full hookups but the sites were so closely spaced."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Sand Dunes Recreation said, "Tent sites were very close together but no one was next to us."

Camping near Del Norte, Colorado, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping in Del Norte, CO?

The Del Norte area offers abundant outdoor activities for campers. Hiking is popular, with numerous trails accessible from campgrounds like Turkey Creek Road which provides access to scenic mountain routes. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy casting in the Rio Grande River or at Park Creek Campground in Rio Grande National Forest. Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities abound throughout the region, particularly in the mountains surrounding Del Norte. Mountain biking trails crisscross the area, and stargazing is exceptional due to minimal light pollution. For water activities, the nearby Rio Grande provides opportunities for kayaking and rafting when conditions permit. The region's diverse terrain allows for exploration of forests, mountains, and desert landscapes all within driving distance.

Where are the best camping spots near Del Norte, Colorado?

Del Norte offers excellent camping options to suit various preferences. Del Norte Dispersed Camping provides free sites with valley and mountain views accessible by passenger cars despite some bumpy roads. For those seeking established campgrounds, East Fork Campground offers a heavenly setting surrounded by forests and mountains just a 10-minute drive from town. Other notable options include Turkey Creek Road with secluded sites and great valley views, Woods & River RV Park along the Rio Grande River with shade from cottonwood trees, and Rio Grande National Forest Mogote Campground with clean sites and above-average privacy. Buffalo Pass Campground is excellent for avoiding weekend crowds while still enjoying the Colorado wilderness.

What amenities are available at Del Norte Town Park campground?

Del Norte Town Park, also known as Del Norte City Park, offers convenient amenities for campers. The park provides potable water access and toilet facilities, making it suitable for both tent campers and RVs, including big rigs. Located within the town of Del Norte, the park offers easy access to local shops, restaurants, and services including a microbrewery and bakery mentioned by visitors to the area. The campground features drive-in access as well as walk-in options, and boating access is available for those looking to enjoy water activities. For those seeking full hookups and more extensive facilities, nearby Woods & River RV Park offers additional amenities while still being less than a mile from town services.