Dispersed camping sites along Buckles Lake Road are located approximately 30 minutes south of Pagosa Springs, offering camping access for vehicles without requiring four-wheel drive during summer months. The Forest Service road features spacious sites that accommodate various vehicle sizes, with opportunities for tent camping and access to nearby trails. The road extends 7 miles into national forest land, providing increasing privacy and elevation changes as you travel deeper into the wilderness.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide river access for anglers. At Rio Chama RV Park, "The Rio Chama flows along the edge of the campground," according to Tom W., making it convenient for fishing without driving elsewhere.
ATV trails: Forest roads in the area connect to trail systems suitable for off-road vehicles. At Del Norte Dispersed Camping, "Fishing, hiking and swimming all right there. Great views of the Mountains," notes Michael W., who found the area particularly clean and quiet compared to other camping locations.
Stargazing: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. The Del Norte area provides "amazing starlight," according to Andrew G., who recommends visitors "remember you're in the rockies so bundle up" as temperatures drop significantly after sunset.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Sites along waterways are particularly popular with campers seeking natural white noise and cooler temperatures. At Turkey Creek Road, Misty B. reports, "Extremely quiet campsite, not a lot of traffic, and the views….WOW! We stayed from Thursday to Tuesday in the big camping spot."
Secluded sites: Many dispersed areas provide substantial privacy between camping spots. Ronan G. stayed at Buckles Lake Rd and reported, "I spent almost a week there and hardly saw anyone. Spots are spaced well apart and its nice and quiet."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations that campers frequently observe. Jeff P. noticed "sign of cat activity, relatively recent scat and elk femur" while camping at Buckles Lake Rd, suggesting the presence of larger predators that may require additional precautions with pets and food storage.
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest Service roads vary in quality depending on seasonal conditions and maintenance schedules. According to Michael S., at Del Norte "there are several sections to this road - the first section is reasonably smooth / gravel, but it also looks like it was just graded, so that may change."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack basic amenities. At Kenny Flats Dispersed Camping, Heather H. reminds visitors there's "no bathroom or water or electric, just beautiful open field and pine trees," emphasizing the need to "pack in pack out obviously."
Seasonal accessibility: Winter conditions can make many roads impassable for standard vehicles. Sebastian attempted to visit Del Norte in March but reported, "I got about 2-300 yards into the dirt road before the snowmelt caused everything to turn into mud," suggesting spring access requires careful planning or 4WD vehicles.
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly campgrounds near Chromo: Multiple dispersed areas welcome pets with space for exercise. Aly E. recommends Buckles Lake Road, noting "Take the short buckle trail to a lake and field! Well worth the hike!" providing an ideal activity for families with energetic dogs.
Campsites with shade: Summer temperatures can be intense at higher elevations. Ken A. recommends East Fork Campground for families, noting "Loop 20-26 all shady and nice" and adding that sites 1-4 are "right on the road, small, no privacy," helping families select optimal locations.
Water activities: Rivers provide cooling options during hot weather. Nicollette found East Fork Campground's location "as close to heaven on earth I could find," adding that her site was "Right next to the river. Let the gushing waters put you right to sleep!"
Tips from RVers
Full hookup options: Several established campgrounds offer comprehensive services for RVs. At Pagosa Riverside Campground, Joseph W. notes "We are in spot #40 a large pull through with electric and water only. Dump station available on property too, most spots are full service."
Big rig accessibility: Some roads accommodate larger vehicles with caution. Karen B. reported taking a 17-foot travel trailer up Buckles Lake Road, saying "Road up to the spots is a bit windy but we were able to get our 17' TT up no problem."
Seasonal availability: Most full-service campgrounds operate on limited schedules. According to Harrison M., Pagosa Riverside Campground has advantages late in the season: "We came near the end of the season so it was pretty empty. The sites are clean and there are many right next to the river."
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