The San Juan National Forest surrounds Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with elevations ranging from 7,000 to over 12,000 feet. RV camping options near Pagosa Springs accommodate various rig sizes, with many sites closing for winter due to heavy snowfall. Summer overnight temperatures frequently drop into the 40s even during July and August, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature fluctuations.
What to do
Fishing access: The Last Resort RV Park & Campground provides riverside spots where campers can fish or float down the Blanco River. "This year, we saw a lot of Canada geese and there are also chickens and ducks. We really love watching the many hummingbirds and hanging out by the river. Lots of campers like to fish or float down the river on inner tubes," notes Beth B.
Steam train viewing: Rio Chama RV Park in nearby Chama, New Mexico offers unique opportunities to see historic trains. "The Cumbres & Toltec steam train goes by the campground twice a day at the trestle. The Rio Chama flows along the edge of the campground," writes Tom W. The campground sits walking distance from the train station.
Hiking trails: Many rv campgrounds Pagosa Springs, Colorado connect directly to trail systems. "I hiked the dirt road and it was like a trail," shares Jane M. about the Last Resort RV Park. Several parks maintain private walking paths through wooded areas that provide wildlife viewing opportunities without needing to drive elsewhere.
What campers like
Extra amenities: Alpen Rose RV Park near Durango includes features not commonly found at basic campgrounds. "They have a trout pond. The sites are pretty level for the most part, and spaced out nicely. The Durango Silverton train track is just across the road from the entrance," notes Ronald. The park also maintains a two-acre dog park and exercise area.
Privacy levels: Blue Spruce RV Park & Cabins offers more separation between sites than typical commercial campgrounds. "The tent sites are separated from the RV sites in a forested area along the river. We shared a campsite on the river that had lots of trees and plenty of room for two tents and a canopy," explains Tom S. This arrangement creates natural sound barriers between camping areas.
Seasonal variations: Pagosa Springs RV campgrounds typically operate from May through October, with limited year-round options. "We stayed at blue spruce for a week while working remotely which required good cell coverage. We have Verizon and despite having no service on the drive to blue spruce, once we arrived the bars lit up!" reports Chris K. Most parks close during winter months due to difficult access and frozen utilities.
What you should know
Cellular connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between rv campgrounds in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. "No Verizon cell service and very poor Wifi. If you truly enjoy your peace and quiet this is the spot for you," notes Joseph W. about the Last Resort RV Park. At Pagosa Springs RV Park & Cabins, Amy M. confirms: "No cell signal and the WiFi is poor - that is the only downside."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects several campgrounds in the region. "We could not sit outside unless we wanted to be 5 feet from the sewer hose on the trailer next to us. You can hear Hwy 160 very clearly, so we ran the A/C fan to drown out the noise," shares Kathi V. about Outdoorsy Bayfield.
Site separation: Space between campsites varies dramatically between parks. At Westerly RV Park, "the spots inside the circle drive seemed much more packed in than the spots on the outside," according to Kevin G. Request specific site numbers when making reservations to ensure adequate separation from neighbors.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Durango RV Resort offers family-friendly amenities not found at smaller parks. "The campground was relatively small so nothing was too far away. Lots of activities to do. Lots of showers that were private stalls," shares Ellen T. The resort includes playground equipment, mini-golf, and seasonal pool access.
Animal encounters: Several parks feature on-site farm animals that entertain children. "Surprisingly great. Friendly, spacious, stay in the new section. Donkeys to visit! Great spot," writes Heidi C. about the Last Resort RV Park. These interactions provide educational opportunities without leaving the campground.
Weather preparedness: Summer thunderstorms occur frequently in afternoon hours. "There is a picnic shelter where we sat out a rainstorm, a very nice bathhouse for showering and washing dishes, as well as a comfortable indoor sitting area and another outdoor area with chairs and a fire pit," notes Tom S. Pack appropriate rain gear even during peak summer months.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Westerly RV Park offers different site configurations worth considering. "We were at the edge of the campground backed up to a stream which was nice and provided some nature sounds. One thing to note, at least at our site, was that the water/electric were shared with the neighbor, and the site on our front side was the same," explains Kevin G. This arrangement creates better views than traditional side-by-side hookups.
Delivery services: Local restaurants will deliver directly to several RV parks in the area. "If you had a long day playing tourist order pizza and they will deliver it to your RV," advises Curtis K. This convenience proves valuable during inclement weather when cooking outdoors becomes impractical.
Hookup reliability: Electrical system quality varies between parks. "These people had pedestals with faulty wiring. Fried my $300 surge protector. Told me they couldn't move us to another site because they had several bad pedestals," warns Deanna N. about Westerly RV Park. Surge protectors are especially important when camping at older establishments with aging infrastructure.
