Searching for a tent camping spot near Mesa Verde National Park? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
The Jersey Jim Lookout Tower [PDF, 6 pages, 830 KB] can be rented for one- or two-night stays from late May to mid October, weather permitting. The current rental rate is $40 per night. Rental fees are used to maintain the facility. Additional contributions are welcomed. Reservations can be made by calling (970) 533-7060 between 1 – 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, starting the first business day of each March (callers are advised to be aggressive in their dialing - the entire season is often booked in a couple of days that week).
**It must be noted that the Ute Mountain reservation is sovereign nation and we respectfully ask that you to please respect our ways of life and culture beliefs.
Please be aware that this campground is located on tribal lands of a sovereign nation and subject to tribal laws and regulations. Please familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of this campground violations may be considered trespassing on Federal Indian Reservation. You may also come across tribal members who live in the area who are going about their business, please be respectful of them and their privacy. And to end on a good note, thank you for your interest in staying in a campground on a tribal nation – your patronage and respect for these tribes and their unique cultures and histories can ensure that the relationship outdoor community continues to be positive. If you are looking for more information, please feel free to connect with @NativesOutdoors and len@natives-outdoors.org
Ranger
Great location from Mesa Verde National Park. Cozy spots. Newer facilities. Fantastic views of the mesas and mountains!
Scout
Great camp site and park! Across the freeway from Mesa Verde National Park. Has all the stuff you need!
Guide
A beautiful location just across the road from Mesa Verde National Park. Spotless, modern bathrooms with enough showers and stalls to not have to wait. Not too huge that you get lost. Very nice people working the office and reservations. Easily accessible sites and hookups. We've been stayed twice in three years and it has remained the same well-maintained campground. One very nice large pool and two spas. Playground area as well. Laundry is super clean and reasonably priced.
Ranger
La Mesa RV is a quiet campground an easy drive away from Mesa Verde National Park. We were able to complete a contactless reservation after a quick phone call to check for availability (something I appreciate so much in the time of Covid). The leaves are changing and the weather has been beautiful this second week of October. The RV park has pretty trees changing. The spaces are pretty typical RV park - basically just a pleasant parking space with a table.
LegendLocated less than 1 mile from Mesa Verde National Park entrance, this campground has wonderful owners who understand the meaning of hospitality! The sites are maintained daily and there are nice little touches throughout the campground, like potted plants at the pedestal of each site and site lights that can be turned off if one wishes (protect the dark sky).
There's a playground, pool and adults only spa, the office store has the little things one might have forgotten, there's a separate tent area, a well outfitted laundry room and clean showers. They also conveniently offer propane for sale.
The gravel site I was in was fairly level and had full hook ups. Free wi fi available. Not much privacy between spaces, but not sandwiched in like some "resorts". A little road noise and if the wind blew from a certain direction the leach field/pond scent would waft by, but overall a nice place to stay.
LegendStayed at site 70. Very nice, large campground. Tent sites were very convenient to the camp store and nearby facilities. Placement of campground very convenient to Cortez and Mesa Verde national park - only about 10 minutes away.
Legend
Very surprised with the actual size of Mesa Verde National Park. The facilities are maintained very well and are kept extremely clean. The showers they are amazing. Especially after tent camping for a week!
Be prepared to sign up for tours - under $10 per person, which is very reasonable - to see some of the cliff sites up close.T he museum and rangers were great. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance as there is a limited number of tours each day and they fill up. You can only purchase tickets up to 2 days in advance and it has to be in person. The tours are so worth the effort!
LegendThis campground inside Mesa Verde National Park is run by Aramark, a major hospitality company, which has its pros and cons. First, it’s more expensive than most national park campgrounds at $36 per night, even for dry tent sites. We were able to get half price with our America the Beautiful senior pass, which also got us into the park for free. Otherwise entry would have been $30 this time of year. (The camping discount didn’t seem to be available online, only upon registration.) There’s a camp store that sells souvenirs and beer. There are endless showers that are free with your camp registration, sanitized after every use. There are paid laundry machines. There are also many dumpsters and drinking water faucets. Toilets with running water are pretty clean, but there was no soap dispenser in the men’s room on the tent loop. We had no trouble getting a walk-up tent site. Some sites have shade trees and tent spots. All have picnic tables and fire rings, although a burn ban is in effect. The combination of Covid and the burn ban led to closure of many trails, the museum, and the visitors center. The beautiful native dwellings and some incredible geological overlooks are less than half an hour’s drive to the south. Also check out Mesa Verde Voices podcast. Very informative.
Guide
Easily one of my favorite sites I have stayed at in Colorado! It is an incredible set up for tent camping. The pads are well manicured with very fine rock and very level. The bathrooms and laundry facility are A+, they are located right next to the tent sites. You will be hard pressed to find a more peaceful campground, I can’t wait to be back!
Scout
We did tent camping and 2 tents fit in our spot (an 8 person and a 4 person tent). The tent sites have a table with benches. no fires are allowed so bring a gas stove if you plan on cooking. Its really close to the Durango old Town area (like 10 min drive or less) and about 45 minutes to mesa verde. The camp sites are right next to the Aminas river but there's no access to it from the campground unfortunately.
LegendThis is a large campground in the National Park boundaries. It has camper, RV and tent camp sites as well as 17 group sites. There is a small store and a shower. Each site has a picnic table. You can also get tickets to the Parks attractions, but do this as soon as you get there as reservations can be a day or two out.
LegendMorefield Campground is the only campground in Mesa Verde National Park, but be forewarned, you might just experience a little sticker shot at the price. Cost for a tent site with NO hookups was almost$35 after taxes. The campground does has flush toilets and wifi through out the campground. Next to the camp store are showers and a coin laundry. Each campsite has a picnic table, tent pad and metal fire ring. The campsites really vary in appearance, some are out in the open right next to each other, other are in the trees and bushes which gives you a little more privacy, but most are still right next to another very close site. Some other these are perfectly level areas, others will have you going up of down stairs. The sites with stairs seemed to be slightly more secluded. While it was nice to have restrooms with running water, their was no way to dry your hands, so bring a towel with you as they have no paper towels or air driers for you hands. Water could be found at the restrooms. For you trash you had to find the one dumpster in the middle of the camping loop, but be warned, it could be difficult for some to open. I was a bit disappointed that the campground wasn't kept in better shape, especially for the price they were charging. Several campsites were closed due to needing repair, and the trail from the camp loop to the store was falling apart, it is need of new pavement or just remove it and go to a dirt path. They have Wifi, and said it was better the closer to the restrooms you were, but if a few people are using it, it really slows down. The Wifi was nice as you have no cell service in the campground. All in all this is a nice campground except for the price.
Scout
Great RV park in SW Colorado. It’s sits at 7000’ so collects some cooler temps. Easy access to Delores and within reasonable distance of Mesa Verde National Park. About 50’ away from Four Corners National Monument. Would stay here again.
Guide
Very nice campground close to Mesa Verde National Park.
There's plenty of shade and much cooler than the NP campground.
Sites are gravel and don't restrict where in the site you can park your camper.
LegendNice campground but a bit pricey
Morefield Campground is the only campground in Mesa Verde National Park, but be forewarned, you might just experience a little sticker shot at the price. Cost for a tent site with NO hookups was almost$35 after taxes. The campground does has flush toilets and wifi through out the campground. Next to the camp store are showers and a coin laundry. Each campsite has a picnic table, tent pad and metal fire ring. The campsites really vary in appearance, some are out in the open right next to each other, other are in the trees and bushes which gives you a little more privacy, but most are still right next to another very close site. Some other these are perfectly level areas, others will have you going up of down stairs. The sites with stairs seemed to be slightly more secluded. While it was nice to have restrooms with running water, their was no way to dry your hands, so bring a towel with you as they have no paper towels or air driers for you hands. Water could be found at the restrooms. For you trash you had to find the one dumpster in the middle of the camping loop, but be warned, it could be difficult for some to open. I was a bit disappointed that the campground wasn't kept in better shape, especially for the price they were charging. Several campsites were closed due to needing repair, and the trail from the camp loop to the store was falling apart, it is need of new pavement or just remove it and go to a dirt path. They have Wifi, and said it was better the closer to the restrooms you were, but if a few people are using it, it really slows down. The Wifi was nice as you have no cell service in the campground. All in all this is a nice campground except for the price.
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Traveler
Great camping spot! Super close to Mesa Verde National Park! And it's freeeee! The road to get the the sites is rutted out so you do need some clearance! We have a subaru impreza and it was fine! No amentinites.. Spots are numbered. We stayed in 4!
GuideAwesome staff and owners on premises. Love the sites as they are nice and spacious with sail canvas for shade on some sites. Trails around and views galore. Close to Mesa Verde National Park and close to Dolores which has tons of hiking! Will visit again soon!
Guide
Beautiful campground. Right next to the West Dolores river which drowns out any road noise. Private land next door has a few beautiful horses. Very pet friendly too. Very close to attractions like Mesa Verde National Park. Would have given it 5 stars if there were showers.
RangerThis was such a nice spot super close to Mesa Verde national park. It was about a 5 minute drive from the park entrance. The road was a little bumpy at places and some of the spots were rutted up but any vehicle could navigate it if they are careful.
Scout
Wonderful small park right in the middle of town with easy access to basic necessities. 9 miles from beautiful Mesa Verde National Park. Access to lots of trails and beautiful views. Parks and visitors center right across the street , including a BMX park (about a mile up the road) Staff has been extremely nice and helpful.
GuideBeautiful, spacious sites with well maintained facilities, picnic tables and fire rings. Depending on the site, you have nice views through the trees to the surrounding mountains. Pick the western side for views. The reservoir is a nice size & peaceful. So many hiking trails in the area & Mesa Verde national park is 20 minutes away.
LegendWe spent a few nights here while exploring Mesa Verde National Park. Our site was spacious with plenty of privacy. They just updated the dump station with a new potable water spigot, so we’re were able to top off our tank coming and going. We took advantage of the Bear Hiking trail and Verizon coverage was okay.
LegendThe only campground in Mesa Verde National Park, this is the most expensive National Park campground I have stayed in. Morefield is also the only National Park campground I've visited that had wifi, free showers, and paid laundry. There were very few other campers in the tent loops mid-October. The bathrooms are mostly kinda clean. There is also water and trash throughout the campground. Most of the attractions in Mesa Verde are a little less than an hour's drive away. I wish I could have stayed longer if only to go on more of the tours of historic sites.
LegendThe only campground in Mesa Verde National Park, this is the most expensive National Park campground I have stayed in. Morefield is also the only National Park campground I've visited that had wifi, free showers, and paid laundry. There were very few other campers in the tent loops mid-October. The bathrooms are mostly kind of clean. There is also water and trash throughout the campground. Most of the attractions in Mesa Verde are a little less than an hour's drive away. I wish I could have stayed longer if only to go on more of the tours of historic sites.
LegendThe only campground in Mesa Verde National Park, this is the most expensive National Park campground I have stayed in. Morefield is also the only National Park campground I've visited that had wifi, free showers, and paid laundry. There were very few other campers in the tent loops mid-October. The bathrooms are kind of mostly clean. There is also water and trash throughout the campground. Most of the attractions in Mesa Verde are a little less than an hour's drive away. I wish I could have stayed longer if only to go on more of the tours of historic sites.
GuideThis campsite is in great proximity to Mesa Verde National Park. I don't think you could get any closer to the park. The park is practically right across the street. The camp had nice clean amenities and a nice game room with a pool table. The only downside to this campground is that it's spots are right on top of one another and some of them are pretty hard to get into and out of.
GuideNice and convenient campground inside of Mesa Verde National Park. Very clean and well maintained. Many hot, 24 hours showers available in a large bathhouse within driving distance of campground. Sites were chosen upon arrival and lots of shady spots. Great location to start early and head out for the first cliff dwelling tour of the day! Don't miss a hike on the Petroglyph Point Trail to see amazing rock art and great views of the canyon.
Tent camping near Mesa Verde National Park offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Colorado while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots available, campers can find the perfect place to set up their tents and explore the surrounding landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mesa Verde National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mesa Verde National Park is Forest Road 316 Roadside Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mesa Verde National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Mesa Verde National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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