263 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Pagosa Springs, Colorado ranges from riverside campgrounds to mountain sites that serve as solid bases for San Juan adventures. Pagosa Riverside Campground sits just a few miles from town, making it easy to fish the San Juan River during the day and grab dinner in town at night. East Fork Campground also sits near the river, with hiking trails that start right from the camping area. Many campers heading into the Rockies choose Vallecito Campground for its mountain views and proximity to the Colorado River. Most public campgrounds in the area have a 14-day stay limit and follow seasonal fire restrictions, which can be strict during dry summers. You'll want to make reservations ahead of time, especially between June and August when sites fill quickly. Some campsites have more trees between them than others, so checking the campground map helps if you want more privacy. Trees provide decent shade at most sites, though bringing a canopy still makes sense for sunny afternoons. Spring and fall camping brings milder temperatures and fewer people, while winter camping requires serious cold-weather gear. The summer months draw the biggest crowds, so book well in advance if that's when you plan to visit. Pagosa Springs campgrounds offer easy access to hot springs, hiking trails, and fishing spots that make this area a popular destination for campers exploring southwestern Colorado.
"Beautiful location along the San Juan. Well maintained park close to Pagosa Springs"
"Right outside of Pagosa Springs. This place is great. Awesome staff, clean and friendly. All hookups and fun surroundings. On the San Juan River. Quiet and I would def stay here again."
"Its location provides easy access to Pagosa Springs (~10 minutes) and to Wolf Creek Pass."
"Great wooded campground at the foot of Wolf Creek Pass near Pagosa Springs. Stayed at site A10 which was spacious and shady. Would love to stay here again."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"It was plenty big for 2 cars, 2 tents, and a common area for us to sit around the campfire (before a red flag warning came in). The spot I hung my hammock was amazing!"
"Very close to atv trails at east fork if it is full. But will have drive there. 10min drive"
"There were 4 spots right near the water after the bridge then if you take the 303 road on the left right after the bridge there’s two more spots further down the road on the left hand side."
"Te river passes right next to you and the views are amazing! There are a few trails next (like the Rainbow trail). Awesome place to stargaze!"
"Really pretty drive in and real close to the springs in town about 13 min away"
"Good options up the roads past the marker Plenty of wood around the spot I took
Roads in good shape when I was here, no problems in a sedan
Decent Verizon coverage
Spot I stayed at was 37.35608°"
"Pagosa Springs is 12 miles down the road for supplies. Dont miss Silver falls. Its 8 miles from the main road. Short steep hike behind the old guardhouse to beautiful waterfall"
"There were plenty of available campsites the majority of which had access to the river. It was relaxing with the exception of the occasional can am with music blaring."
"Dirt load leading in little bumpy but easy to drive. We stayed about half mile short of the coordinates. Barely any Verizon service. Fire rings, open space, nice fresh air, close to pagosa springs."
"Just outside the town of Pagosa with great access to everything in the area. We enjoyed the nearby hikes too!"
"Far enough away from the hustle of Pagosa Springs, far enough from the highway. Old growth forest reminded me of CA."
"Annie, you've gotten the Campgrounds backwards, as there are No ATV or off road trails at Westfork and there is easy access to the river from multiple sites and a public path behind the 2nd bathroom."
from $32 / night
Check Availability"Nice quiet area outside of Pagosa Springs. Lots of flat spaces, road is bumpy with some potholes, but not bad at all for BLM. 1-2 bars of Verizon LTE depending on where you are."
"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."
"The Last Resort is a lovely RV Park and campground on the Blanco River off Highway 84 between Chama, New Mexico and Pagosa Springs, Colorado."
"Also, I have got to say their showers are so nice and powerful after having camped over 4 days in New Mexico and Colorado. Love the fact they have ice readily available when you need it."
from $28 - $48 / night
Check Availability
LegendWe grabbed a spot off to the right with a view over the canyon and mountains. It was perfect for an overnight stop or a few days of kicking back. No amenities so come prepared. There was a fire ring so we enjoyed a night by the fire and listening to the coyotes and the elk off in the distance. The area is a popular recreational area so weekends and holidays you may have to go farther up the road to find spots.
GuidePlenty of spaces after you continue left!
TravelerIt’s right on the dan Juan River
GuideJust pulled in trying to beat the weather there could be more spots up the rd but I found this one! Really pretty drive in and real close to the springs in town about 13 min away
ScoutLovely tree lined campground on the Rio Grande. Surrounded by pine trees and aspens. Each RV site has full hookups, fire ring, picnic table. Nice, clean, bath house with showers. There are also cute covered wagon “cabins” and one cabin. We stayed in a RV site along the river. Owners very nice and welcoming.
ScoutBeautiful campground, great service, but after staying for 7 days I returned to my campsite (after being gone for less than 3 hrs) and someone had stollen all my items. Reported to forest service. (Literally stole a felony amount, I have never had this happen and I camp on dispersed lands a lot)
LegendWould have given a 5 star but numerous sites not very level: Those listed are either level, or 'good enough/level-ish': 22, 21, 11, 12, 13, 14, 7 (group site?), 8. 9, 10, 16. Vault toilets (2 pairs on either edge of campground) were CLEAN!, well-stocked, very nice and as good as it gets for vaults. Well tree'd, quiet, not busy at all in late September. Camp host was great and when we realized site 17 was not level (nor would orange levelers have worked), she let us switch with no problem (of course, it was not busy either). Potable water: 1 station available. Some sites not very close to bathrooms. Bears active in area (see pick below!). Very close to Chimney Rock ruins (go see if you have time). Would stay here again.
GuideWe stayed here two night while we road the D&S steam train to Silverton. The campground was nice enough. It rained every day we were there. The road in was very long and took us through a lot of neighborhoods at speeds between 25 and 35mph ( beware a lot of speed cameras ) Bathrooms were clean. The area was quiet. No frills , deep in the forest
GuideWe didn't go too far before we stopped at a large open area with many rock fire rings that was level and would accommodate several campers. The road seemed like a one way but we went out the same way we came in since we were unsure if we'd have to turn our class b with motorcycle trailer around.
Dispersed camping options near Pagosa Springs, Colorado provide alternatives to established campgrounds in the San Juan National Forest. Many free sites sit along forest roads at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet, offering riverside camping with no amenities or hookups. Multiple roads off Highway 160 lead to dispersed areas where campers must follow Leave No Trace principles and prepare for variable mountain weather conditions throughout the camping season.
Fishing access from camp: At Del Norte Dispersed Camping, you can set up camp and fish directly from your site. "Great spot! Lots of dispersed camping along the river. Fishing, hiking and swimming all right there," shares Michael W., who appreciated having multiple outdoor activities within steps of his campsite.
Hot springs day trips: Many campers use their sites as a base for visiting the thermal waters in town. "Pitched the tent in the afternoon and headed to town for a soak," writes Ryan T. about staying at Turkey Creek Road, noting how the area's location makes it convenient for combining camping with hot springs visits.
Waterfall hunting: Several falls are accessible from camping areas east of town. "There are several waterfalls within a short drive to visit, including one just up hwy 160 toward Wolf Creek Pass," writes Henry H., who used East Fork Campground as his base for waterfall exploration.
River sounds for sleeping: Camping beside moving water creates natural white noise. "The sounds of the river nearby. One negative is the sound of the road nearby. It's not a busy road but it has ruts that caused vehicles with trailers going by to make some loud rattling," notes Ryan H. at East Fork Campground, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of the location.
Secluded spots with privacy: Campers value finding areas away from crowds. "We grabbed a pull through spot without reservations, very friendly office crew drove us to the spot. Full hookups & Wi-Fi. Right on the river with benches spread out to enjoy the scenery," reports Jody R., who appreciated the riverside amenities at Pagosa Riverside Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forest setting attracts various animals. "Deer came into our site. The adjacent stream is shallow enough in areas if you want an icy dip," writes Camp Comet about their stay at West Fork Campground, showing how wildlife encounters enhance the camping experience.
Road conditions for dispersed sites: Many free camping areas require driving on unmaintained roads. "The road was in great conditions, many sites to choose for. I stayed for 10 days and many people came and go (busy) but just stunning with the river there and amazing lullaby for sleeping time," explains Karla L. about East Fork San Juan River Dispersed Camping.
Water availability challenges: Filling tanks can be difficult at some campgrounds. "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," notes Bonnie B., highlighting a practical challenge at East Fork Campground.
Mosquito preparation: Some areas have significant insect activity, especially near water. "Do you like mosquitos come here and enjoy the feast that come when the sun starts to set! We stayed here before and forgot how bad it was," warns Cheyanne G. about West Fork Dispersed, emphasizing the importance of bringing insect repellent.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some private campgrounds offer facilities specifically for children. "The Last Resort is a lovely RV Park and campground on the Blanco River. There is a nice Bathhouse with a full kitchen, bathrooms with showers and a coin operated washer/dryer. There are often horses (and a goat) on the property," describes Beth B. about The Last Resort RV Park & Campground.
Wading opportunities: Shallow stream areas provide safe water play. "The rabbit hutch would have entertained the kids, if we had any with us," notes Tom S. about The Last Resort, showing how this campground offers family-friendly activities beyond just camping.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Some areas have good terrain for children's cycling. "Dirt roads were great for the kids to ride bikes. Endless hiking options. Wildlife viewing," shares Brooke C. about Ute Campground, highlighting activities that keep children engaged.
Site selection for privacy: RVers suggest choosing sites carefully for maximum space. "Loop 20-26 all shady and nice, 12 close to road (and on incline), 14 and 15 are close to the river but a very steep cliff to get there," advises Ken A. about East Fork Campground, providing specific site recommendations.
Power considerations: Not all RV-friendly areas have hookups. "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," explains Joseph W. about Pagosa Riverside Campground, detailing the hookup situation.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across camping areas. "I have AT&T and had no cell coverage at all," reports David about East Fork San Juan River camping, important information for RVers who need to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Pagosa Springs, Colorado?
Pagosa Springs offers excellent camping options for every preference. Ute Campground stands out for its spacious, private sites, clean bathrooms, and helpful hosts at just $20 per night, located about 25 minutes from town. For riverside camping, Pagosa Riverside Campground provides beautiful sites along the San Juan River with full hookups and is well-maintained. Other notable options include West Fork Campground with its old-growth forest setting, East Fork Campground providing easy access to Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Pass, and Lower Piedra Campground situated next to the Piedra River. For RV travelers, Pagosa Pines RV Park offers a small, well-maintained setting with excellent amenities and central location.
Is free dispersed camping available near Pagosa Springs?
Yes, there are several free dispersed camping options near Pagosa Springs. East Fork San Juan River, USFS Road 667 offers primitive boondocking sites about 45 minutes from town. To reach it, take US160E about 10 miles and turn right onto USFS 667. These sites are completely primitive with no restrooms, electricity, water, trash service, or cell coverage. Another option is FS Road 662 campsite, which is closer to Pagosa Springs in the national forest. This site is also primitive with no amenities, so campers must come fully prepared. The San Juan National Forest surrounding Pagosa Springs has numerous dispersed camping opportunities, but most require self-sufficiency and leave-no-trace practices.
What amenities are available at the Pagosa Springs KOA?
While there are no specific reviews for a Pagosa Springs KOA, similar highly-rated RV parks in the area offer comparable amenities. Pagosa Springs RV Park & Cabins features a beautiful setting just south of town with a family-friendly atmosphere, free ice cream, and fresh eggs available for purchase. They offer 41 RV spots with choices of mountain views, Blanco River sites, or large pull-throughs. The Last Resort RV Park & Campground provides essential amenities like water and toilets with reservable sites. Most RV parks in the area typically include full hookups, WiFi, laundry facilities, showers, and easy access to the town's hot springs and other attractions.
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