Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Mancos, CO

Riverwood RV Resort offers pet-friendly accommodations within walking distance of downtown Mancos, providing level sites along the riverside. Dogs are welcome at all RV and tent sites with standard leash rules in effect throughout the property. Immaculate facilities include clean showers and bathrooms that are wheelchair accessible, though some gravel areas may present challenges for mobility devices. Mesa Verde RV Resort and Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park also accommodate pets with full hookup sites and cabin options for those traveling with dogs. The facilities remain well-maintained with frequent cleaning of common areas where pets are allowed. Pets are permitted at Mancos State Park Campground with proper supervision, where spacious sites provide adequate room for pets to rest comfortably while leashed.

Multiple hiking trails accessible from camping areas provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the Bear Hiking Trail at Mancos State Park offering scenic routes through forested terrain. The trails connecting to San Juan National Forest allow for longer excursions with pets. Campsites near Jackson Reservoir permit leashed dogs near the water's edge, though swimming restrictions apply to both humans and pets. Several dispersed camping options on BLM land outside Mesa Verde National Park boundaries allow pets with fewer restrictions, ideal for those seeking a more primitive camping experience. Mancos town center provides additional pet resources within walking distance of Riverwood RV Resort, including access to local veterinary services when needed. Wildlife is abundant in the area, with deer frequently visible in evening hours, so keeping dogs leashed and supervised remains essential for safety.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Mancos, Colorado (152)

    1. Mesa Verde National Park Boundary (BLM Land)

    31 Reviews
    Mesa Verde National Park, CO
    7 miles

    "This is a good free spot near Mesa Verde, but if it is closed check out the many BLM spots on road 316 off the highway, barely West of Target Tree Campground slightly East of Mancos."

    "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."

    2. Madden Peak Road - Dispersed

    24 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    7 miles
    Website

    "Easy to access - right off the road between Mancos and Durango. Quite a few spots, good shade from the scrub oak."

    "We decided to drive further up the mountain, gaining some elevation but it was much more secluded."

    3. Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    20 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 533-7000

    "Tucked away from the highway and far enough from any big city, you want nature and stars at night? This is the place! We backed up to a huge green field."

    "Park is very clean and quiet plus pet friendly. Lots of large Ponderosa pine for shade and scenery"

    4. Mancos State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 533-7065

    $20 - $90 / night

    "Mancos State Park is a convenient stop in SW Colorado just outside Mesa Verde NP. Dry campsites, some only small trailer or truck camper size. Plenty of room for tents in each site."

    "Mancos State Park has no-wake boating and is well-known for fishing, especially rainbow trout, a few brownies and yellow perch."

    5. Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park

    20 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 565-3517

    "And the people who camped next to us were considerate.  The campground has lots of amenities. A log cabin (rec center) with pool, video games, TV with DVD library, books, and board games."

    "Big 1/2 acre dog park that was also well kept and included obstacles for extra play. Staff was very friendly. Early season but there were already a few other campers and the cabins were full."

    6. Riverwood RV Resort

    14 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    0 miles
    Website

    $40 / night

    "Very nice RV site in Mancos on the river. I was there first week of the season so pretty open. Good showers, bathrooms and office site. Brenda was very helpful"

    "We planned to use this location as central to Mesa Verde and Durango. However we lucked out in finding the perfect stop in Mancos. The park is very clean, well run and walkable to town."

    7. BLM across from Mesa Verde

    18 Reviews
    Mesa Verde National Park, CO
    7 miles
    Website

    "This is a good free spot near Mesa Verde, but if it is closed check out the many BLM spots on road 316 off the highway, barely West of Target Tree Campground slightly East of Mancos."

    "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."

    8. Target Tree Campground

    14 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    6 miles
    Website

    $24 / night

    "All kinds of activities are nearby. Spectacular Colorado mountains and scenery. Silverton and the Million Dollar Highway are nearby if you dare."

    "Pros: Really nice big camping spots, pit toilets not too far of a walk, firewood available from hosts, convenient location Cons: first come first served (I think some people missed out even this late"

    9. Mesa Verde RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 533-7421

    $43 / night

    "We found this place last minute driving from Utah, where we purchased our RV, back to Dallas.  It was perfect in every way. Showers were clean and updated. "

    "Would stat inside the national park if available- this was a great RV resort with a playground, pool, pond, dog walk area."

    10. Chutes and Ladders Dipsersed

    14 Reviews
    Mesa Verde National Park, CO
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 882-7296

    "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."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Mancos, CO

1301 Reviews of 152 Mancos Campgrounds


  • Jared T.
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Alpen Rose RV Park

    Literally- words can’t describe

    Our family vacation destination- would provide 6 stars if a could. Main features- pool, great family play areas, huge lots and shaded lots- not really a bad spot. Pond, 2 Acre dog park- beautiful sites and quick drive to town or off-road. We stayed here twice because a bad experience in Silverton

  • Karl G.
    Sep. 1, 2017

    Telluride Town Park Campground

    Telluride Town Park

    This campsite is great if you want to do Telluride on a budget - it's free. It's right next to the town and is used a lot for Telluride's summer festivals. Its more than a campground it is also where a lot of town events are held and also has sports venues. There's also grills, bathrooms, picnic tables, a dog park, and a pond. Unless you're at a festival, the campground isn't where you will want to spend your time though. The campground is very close to Bridal Veil Falls, a huge free fall waterfall. You can drive or hike up to it, and climb around on the rocks and get blasted by cold water from the falls. It's huge. There's also a bunch of awesome hikes around Telluride - the San Juans are my favorite part of Colorado.

  • M
    Jul. 9, 2022

    Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    GORGEOUS Campground!

    Loved loved loved our stay here! Tucked away from the highway and far enough from any big city, you want nature and stars at night? This is the place! We backed up to a huge green field. The gentleman that helped us back our 42 foot rig into our site gave PERFECT directions, telling my husband which was to turn our wheel which make this a first try back in. The owner was the kindest man we enjoyed getting to know. No dog park, but a large open field we're allowed to utilize, letting the pups off leash. They LOVED it! Mesa Verde NP with the cliff dwellings are a short drive away, perfect day trip. We should have stayed here a whole week!

  • Kari T.
    Sep. 25, 2016

    Cortez, Mesa Verde KOA

    This KOA is the Best in the West

    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. Not only was the site itself updated, it was the FIRST KOA we stayed at that had usable Wi-Fi - as in video streaming capabilities! When traveling with kids, this is such a HUGE amenity.

    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. Not to mention, the campground is located a mere 15 minutes from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park. Other highlights: newer laundry facilities, of which we made use, and awesome mountain and mesa views right from your site.

    Don't expect a ton of privacy - sites are very close together. The family next to ours had an outdoor living room set up that pretty much took the entire space between our RVs. However, the grounds were well-kept, and there was plenty of space to remove yourself from other people throughout the facility.

  • l
    Jun. 14, 2021

    Durango RV Resort

    Excellent amenities and staff

    Incredibly friendly staff, great store with camping necessities and fun swag. Dog park was large enough with a shaded tree and benches. Pickle ball, movie night, pool, playground ect included. Almost every space was filled but it was quiet because the activities are spread nicely away from where we were. Pull through sites with enough room. Good price for the location.

  • Hillary J.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2025

    Sundance RV Park

    Very clean and nice campground.

    I just parked in the car park for the night and I would stay the price is a bit much for just a parking spot with no amenities but the staff was amazing and the bathrooms were extremely clean and nice!! Also a very nice dog park!! The spot I was in was next to the entrance and had some road noise as well as bright light from the Park sign.

  • Erin S.
    Jul. 22, 2019

    Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park

    Rustic resort on the doorstep of Mesa Verde National Park

    My family and I stayed here for 3 nights in late July in a 34-foot travel trailer. We made reservations over the phone and found the customer service to be exemplary (I called at the last minute to both cancel and then later to re-instate my reservation when we had car trouble on the way). When we arrived the check-in process was straight forward and easy. The roads are gravel but well-graded and the majority of the sites are pull-thru. We had no trouble getting into ours, however, we found rather quickly that sites are extremely close together. Our back-side neighbors had to move their picnic table back in order to accommodate our driver-side slide (the distance between our extended slide and their trailer is about 8 feet. But... we all made it work. There is a 10 pm lights-out policy to cut down on light pollution and see the stars. And the people who camped next to us were considerate. 

    The campground has lots of amenities. A log cabin (rec center) with pool, video games, TV with DVD library, books, and board games. Laundry with decent pricing. Mini-golf ($3 per person). A nice pool and hot tub. A dog park with agility obstacles. Nice playground. Wifi signal is strong with decent bandwidth (they discourage streaming). Next door is a horseriding stables ($40 an hour, $25 for a half hour); the horses come up to the fence and love to be petted. The store in the office is small but has the basic amenities. Groceries can be purchased in Cortez, a 15-minute drive away. And, of course, Mesa Verde National Park is right across the road, less than 5 minutes to the visitor center.  The only downside (besides the tightness of the spaces) is that dumpster was very full and near to overflowing. 

    Overall we enjoyed our stay here, and thought the location to the park and local area was perfect. Would recommend and definitely stay here again.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2024

    The Views RV Park & Campground

    Views

    Don’t let the dilapidated mobile home near the entrance scare you away. This place is super well maintained. Every site is well thought out and has great hookups. I thought a plug water and sewer was pretty uniform. Our site had a pedestal with 20/30/50 amp and then another with 30 20 feet further into the site. Lots of shade. The sites along the south edge of the property have amazing views of the Cortez valley and Sleeping Ute Mountain. Really nice communal fire pit, dog park and some trails too. Some sites have a beautiful brick fire ring too.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 25, 2026

    Moore's RV Park & Campground

    Clean campground

    Friendly staff, enjoyable stay. Wide spaces with picnic tables and grills. Showers, laundry, dog park


Guide to Mancos

Dispersed camping near Mancos, Colorado provides free sites on BLM land with Mesa Verde National Park visible from many locations. The BLM area called Chutes and Ladders offers 15 designated sites accessible via dirt roads, with seasonal closures December through April for elk habitat protection. Several sites accommodate smaller RVs and trailers, though the road conditions deteriorate after rainfall with clay surfaces becoming slick and rutted.

What to do

Hiking to La Plata Mountains: Forest Service Road 316 offers access to Madden Peak Trail, a 4.5-mile route that can be extended to summit both Parrot Peak and Gibbs Peak. "Nearby hiking options include the Madden Peak Trail, which spans 4.5 miles and can be extended to summit Parrot Peak and Gibbs Peak. It's an ideal choice for campers who enjoy combining relaxation with outdoor adventure," notes one visitor to Madden Peak Road - Dispersed.

Wildlife viewing at dawn/dusk: The areas around Jackson Reservoir and forest boundaries provide opportunities to observe deer and elk. "Sitting by the camp fire as we speak and just enjoying pure nature. Thank You God!" reports a camper at Chutes and Ladders Dipsersed.

Bear Hiking Trail exploration: This trail offers moderate difficulty with forest terrain. "We took advantage of the Bear Hiking trail and Verizon coverage was okay," notes a visitor at Mancos State Park Campground. The trail connects to multiple other routes in San Juan National Forest.

What campers like

Budget-friendly accessibility: The free dispersed camping near Mesa Verde entrance saves camping fees while providing proximity to park attractions. "Way better than the Mesa Verde NP alternative... I entertained the idea of spending the night inside the park, at the sad, overpriced campground there. Once I discovered they wanted north of 40 bucks for a tent site, I moseyed my way down the hill to this sick little dispersed campground. You can't beat the price (free)," reports a visitor to Mesa Verde National Park Boundary (BLM Land).

Walkable town access: Some campgrounds provide walking access to Mancos businesses. "The park is very clean and quiet plus pet friendly. Lots of large Ponderosa pine for shade and scenery," notes a camper at Mesa Verde RV Resort.

Secluded camping spots: Many sites offer privacy between campers. "Not much to add to the other reviews. Found a great spot with view about 4.0 miles up. The spots get way more secluded and separated as you go up the road," reports a visitor at Madden Peak Road - Dispersed.

What you should know

Seasonal closures impact planning: Several dispersed camping areas close during winter months. "Closed from November to May 31st," reports a visitor at Madden Peak Road - Dispersed, while another notes, "Could not stay--pulled up and the sign on the closed gate says closed until April 30 for elk and deer winter range."

Cell coverage varies by location: Some areas offer reliable service while others have limited connectivity. "I have AT&T and had good coverage here," mentions a camper at Madden Peak Road - Dispersed, while another notes, "Verizon signal is okay, weak but can surf and watch videos."

Road conditions affect access: Many dirt roads become challenging after rainfall. "We ended up raining overnight. We're from Minnesota so I had no idea the mud was going to be so horrible. My shoes were caked. The tent ended up super muddy. We were slipping and sliding on the road," writes a visitor at Chutes and Ladders Dispersed.

Tips for camping with families

Playground amenities: Several developed campgrounds provide play areas for children. "The park has a playground with a miniature golf course. There's a recreation room with a pool table, TV, and games. It's a great place for the kids to hang out in," describes a visitor at Ancient Cedars Mesa Verde RV Park.

Pet exercise areas: Dog friendly campgrounds near Mancos offer designated spaces for pets. "A great place for the best Dog Friendly Place Around...a massive field for dogs to play off-leash (they must be on in the park)," notes a camper at Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort.

Swimming options: Some resorts include pools during summer months. "The campground has a playground, pool, pond, dog walk area," reports a visitor at Mesa Verde RV Resort, providing water recreation when temperatures rise.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness challenges: Some dispersed and established sites require additional leveling equipment. "Site was very unlevel front to back. Had to put 6" under rear class A. Sewer connection to deep in concrete for connected to screw in," notes a camper at Riverwood RV Resort.

Length restrictions on forest roads: Larger RVs face limitations at dispersed sites. "The only reason I give this place a 3 is because of the close proximity to Mesa Verde NP. 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," reports a visitor at Mesa Verde National Park Boundary (BLM Land).

Optimal RV sites: Certain locations provide better accommodations for larger rigs. "Great park for larger RV's we have a 40 ft toy hauler plus the added ramp patio plenty of room," notes a visitor at Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort, indicating the variability in site sizes across the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Mancos, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Mancos, CO is Mesa Verde National Park Boundary (BLM Land) with a 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Mancos, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 152 dog-friendly camping locations near Mancos, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.