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Campgrounds near Dolores, Colorado range from developed RV resorts to primitive dispersed sites on public lands, with several options situated along the scenic Dolores River. The Views RV Park & Campground and Dolores River RV Resort provide full hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations, while dispersed camping opportunities exist on BLM land near Mesa Verde National Park boundary. Many campgrounds in the area feature mixed-use sites accommodating both tent campers and RVs, with some offering specialty lodging like yurts and covered wagons.
Most campgrounds in the Dolores area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter camping options. The region's elevation around 7,000 feet keeps summer temperatures moderate but creates cool nights even in peak season. Road access varies significantly between developed sites and dispersed areas, with some BLM locations requiring high-clearance vehicles. Campgrounds along Highway 145 provide easier access for larger rigs, while forest service sites may have rougher entry roads. Water availability is inconsistent at primitive sites, and campers should prepare accordingly. A visitor commented, "The drive in was incredible, like postcard worthy. Drive further up 38 to hike to Geyser Spring, or just a little bit further to get to Lizard Head Wilderness."
Riverside camping represents a significant draw in the Dolores area, with multiple campgrounds situated along the Dolores River offering fishing and water recreation opportunities. Campers frequently mention the soothing sound of the river as a highlight of their stay. Several visitors noted the area provides excellent stargazing due to minimal light pollution, particularly at higher elevation sites. The region serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby attractions including Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon of the Ancients, and mountain biking trails. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better connectivity at campgrounds closer to town. During peak summer weekends, the more developed campgrounds with amenities like showers and electric hookups tend to fill quickly, while dispersed camping areas generally offer more availability and solitude.
"Good showers, some of the camp sites have decent WiFi connection, fairly quiet, and wildlife (deer and prairie dogs) in camp side. Toilets not the best, lots of wasps"
"I'm not sure what the hook-up situation is for campers. We were able to enjoy cool evening walks; where we would often spot deer."
"This is BLM Land outside of Mesa Verde National Park. Has quite a few different sites that are all free and have fairly easy access to."
"This was such a nice spot super close to Mesa Verde national park. It was about a 5 minute drive from the park entrance."
"The Views is located just outside Dolores, CO with immediate access to McPhee Reservoir, Dolores River and miles of mountain bike trails."
"Trails around and views galore. Close to Mesa Verde National Park and close to Dolores which has tons of hiking! Will visit again soon!"
"An absolutely magical location on the Dolores river in SW Colorado. The owners are wonderful people who are very helpful and also operate a great gift shop with very reasonable prices."
"All along the gorgeous Dolores River. This would be the perfect spot to meet with friends or family who don't have an RV. We were at site 13 with our 30' Grand Design bumper pull trailer."
"The Cortex/Mesa Verde KOA in Cortez, Colorado, was the best campground we stayed at (out of 10) on our #9parks12days road trip in June 2016."
"They even had Easter candy and eggs in the office and outside the door for the kiddos. They directed us to our site which was located just behind the teepees."
"It is close to the highway and you can hear the traffic but it’s nothing too bad, in my opinion. The sites seem pretty well spaced out for a little bit of privacy."
"This campsite is right outside of Mesa Verde and is easy to locate. Campsites are located along a dirt road and they are clearly marked."
"This rv park is right next to the entrance to mesa verde. It was a nice park and showers were included! There’s also a pool and mini golf if you’re interested in that."
"This is a dark park all outside lights must be off by 10 pm. You can see so many stars in the sky it was beautiful. Campground was not crowded."
"Municipal Pool within walking distance that we used and enjoyed $5 each. Mesa Verde was a 12 min drive. ATT & Verizon service wasn’t great, but was usable."
"The spot I was in was next to the entrance and had some road noise as well as bright light from the Park sign."
"Close to Hwy 160, so easy to access. Campsite access road ok, rutted abit in some places from prior mud which has since dried."
"We picked a site close to the entrance for medical reasons but did travel up the dirt road past site 13. Absolutely Beautiful. Sitting by the camp fire as we speak and just enjoying pure nature."
"We prefer off the beaten path and when we rolled into Dolores, CO in our van late on the 25th of October we were happy to find Stoner on Dyrt, about 20 minutes outside town."
"The mayor of Stoner, Colorado, Scott is a great host and very generous. The place is very well maintained and clean and looked after. They have RV spots right on the river, Stoner Creek!"
from $30 - $60 / night
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GuideRutted road, decent gravel sites. No tables, no toilets and no water. Some sites are actually kinda level, #10 is pretty level and a pull through! Quiet, good site separation, now if people would just not drive during the rain storms.
GuideSeveral RV/tent sites along FS rd 642 and another area just off the pavement FS 610. No facilities. Large pines and great views.
TravelerGreat for boondocking! We were traveling in a 26ft. RV. I would not recommend traveling further than our campsite (37.355160,-108.196404 - 1.7miles down Madden Peak Rd.) if you are our size or larger. When you see the big power lines, I would recommend turning around. The rain rutted out the road a bit further down and made for rough travel. Spots to turn around were more scarce up the road as well. But there are numerous camp sites in that 1st 1.7 miles. This place is well maintained, and just beautiful!
RangerQuiet secluded spot. Sounds of the creek, birds and occasional semi air brakes coming down mountain. Absolutely beautiful. Shaded spots and full sun. Some spots are on top of each other and some are secluded. Look for fire rings(rocks) for established level sites. Or create your own. 3 miles from Silverton. Beautiful small town with good food. Definitely one of my favorite spots in Colorado to camp.
GuideBy my count there's 14 spaces and most are large enough to accommodate multiple vehicles and or a trailer/camper. Highly recommend if you're exploring SW CO and need a place to call home for a few days.
GuideThis will do in a pinch; however, there are no trees to keep you shaded from the sun. It is very windy at the top of this hill, but the views are pretty, and it is secluded with some minor traffic along the logging road next to the area.
ScoutVery quiet and clean CG. On site staff are friendly and knowledgeable. It is out of the way, which is great. Paved access, 2bars ATT, flush toilets, awesome ancient ruins.
GuideKendall is definitely a busy dispersed camping spot, with everything from tents to large RVs. I was still able to find a nice secluded spot tucked away for my Bronco and tent. Despite the crowd, it was surprisingly quiet overnight. There was some generator noise from the larger rigs during the busier hours, but nothing that really bothered me. Great location just outside Silverton, vault toilets available, and Verizon service was good enough for calls and texts. I’d definitely stay here 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!
Camping spots near Dolores, Colorado offer excellent access to the San Juan Mountains and Dolores River at elevations ranging from 6,900 to 8,000 feet. Most dispersed sites lack potable water sources, requiring campers to bring sufficient supplies for their stay. Summer evenings typically drop below 50°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s.
Hiking near Mesa Verde: The BLM land near Mesa Verde National Park boundary offers excellent proximity to hiking trails. "The drive in was incredible, like postcard worthy. Drive further up 38 to hike to Geyser Spring, or just a little bit further to get to Lizard Head Wilderness," notes a visitor to Mesa Verde National Park Boundary (BLM Land).
Riverside activities: Guests at Stoner RV Resort enjoy direct water access. One camper reported, "We were led to our spot that backed up to a creek. There was a fire pit, fire wood, bbq, table and chair swing at the camp spot." The riverside setting creates a peaceful backdrop for relaxation.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies make for exceptional night viewing. "There is a 10 pm lights-out policy to cut down on light pollution and see the stars," explains a reviewer at Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park. The higher elevation campgrounds provide particularly dark skies away from town lights.
Free dispersed options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the no-cost sites available. "This is BLM Land outside of Mesa Verde National Park. Has quite a few different sites that are all free and have fairly easy access to," shares a camper about Chutes and Ladders Dipsersed. These sites typically feature simple fire rings and level tent areas.
Fishing access: Mancos State Park Campground provides excellent angling opportunities. A visitor notes, "Mancos State Park has no-wake boating and is well-known for fishing, especially rainbow trout, a few brownies and yellow perch." The lake attracts both boat and shore anglers.
Excellent amenities: Many campgrounds offer unexpected conveniences. At Dolores River RV Resort by Rjourney, a camper found "Bathrooms and showers are the cleanest I've seen from a campground." Another visitor appreciated that "They had an ice cream social the first night. The Dolores river runs along the back of the property."
Seasonal closures: Many dispersed sites have wildlife management restrictions. A reviewer notes about BLM across from Mesa Verde: "This place is closed Dec-April due to it being considered elk habitat. Also fairly muddy." Always check current status before planning winter trips.
Weather challenges: Quick temperature shifts and strong storms occur frequently. "The high desert location can bring intense storms with strong winds. During our stay, our tent nearly flew away despite being staked down securely," reports a camper at Morefield Campground — Mesa Verde National Park.
Road conditions: Accessibility varies significantly between sites. "Road is typical blm rocky dirt road. I think a 2wd car could probally do it. No issue for suv or van," notes one camper about BLM lands, while another warns, "The one downside was that it had just rained and the sites and road are clay which we ended up sinking into and getting stuck in."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Cortez, Mesa Verde KOA mentioned, "This campground has an updated playground, heated (seasonal) swimming pool, a 1-mile walking trail, dog park, and even tepees in addition to cabins for overnight camping."
Safety considerations: Wildlife awareness is important. One reviewer notes, "Bear area, none seen," at Mancos State Park, reminding visitors that proper food storage is essential. Many established campgrounds provide bear boxes or clear guidelines.
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds often provide organized events. "They had an ice cream social the first night," mentions a family at Dolores River RV Resort, while another campground offers "Easter candy and eggs in the office and outside the door for the kiddos."
Site selection: Level sites can be challenging to find. A visitor to Mancos State Park noted, "Sloped towards lake. At least this site and 26 would be difficult to find level spot for tent and requires lots of rocks or blocks to level rv." Advance research on specific site characteristics helps avoid setup difficulties.
Hookup availability: Services vary widely between campgrounds. At The Views RV Park & Campground, "Most sites are huge (center sites alittle close together) and they offer full hookup, pull thru, and back-in sites." Another reviewer appreciated that "They sell propane too," eliminating the need for separate stops.
Size restrictions: Some areas have limited access for larger rigs. "This stay is only for high clearance vehicles and small RV's. Deep drain ditches between service road and sites. All sites are extremely uneven," cautions a camper with a 35-foot fifth wheel about dispersed BLM camping, emphasizing the importance of researching size limitations before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Dolores, Colorado?
Dolores offers several excellent camping options for different preferences. The Views RV Park & Campground stands out with its spacious sites, shade sails, and stunning vistas. It provides immediate access to McPhee Reservoir and mountain bike trails while remaining conveniently close to Durango and Cortez. For a forested setting with river access, Mavreeso Campground offers a beautiful location next to the West Dolores River, which naturally drowns out road noise. This pet-friendly campground is also conveniently located near attractions like Mesa Verde National Park. Other notable options include West Dolores Campground, which now features electrical hookups, and Stoner RV Resort, known for its hospitable owners and peaceful setting about 20 minutes outside town.
Can you camp along the Dolores River, and what are the regulations?
Yes, camping is available along the Dolores River with several developed sites and regulations to follow. Bradfield Campground is a well-maintained BLM site set in the canyon below McPhee Reservoir with 17 improved campsites featuring picnic tables and fire pits. Each site costs $8 per night, and the campground has a hand pump for fresh water but no electric hookups or dump station. Another excellent riverside option is Dolores River RV Resort by Rjourney, which offers a magical setting along the water with fishing ponds and river access. For those seeking additional water features, Cayton Campground sits right off the highway next to the Dolores River with two loops—one for electric sites and another for tent-only camping.
What amenities are available at Dolores, Colorado camping areas?
Camping areas around Dolores offer diverse amenities to suit different camping styles. West Dolores Campground provides electrical hookups, riverside access, and varied site sizes that accommodate both tents and campers with good spacing for privacy. The campground receives optimal sunlight throughout the day while maintaining comfortable temperatures. For those seeking more services, Cortez RV Resort by Rjourney features gravel sites and friendly management that goes above and beyond for guests, even delivering mail directly to campers. Additional amenities found at various Dolores area campgrounds include water pumps, picnic tables, fire pits, fishing ponds, and rental options such as yurts and cabins, though water pressure can vary significantly between locations.
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