Cabins near Purgatory, Colorado offer convenient lodging options in a region where elevations range from 6,500 to over 10,000 feet. Located within the San Juan National Forest, this area experiences dramatic seasonal temperature changes with nighttime temperatures dropping significantly even in summer months. Winter accommodations typically require reservation windows of 3-6 months advance booking, especially for weekend stays.
What to do
Riverside relaxation: At Junction West Durango Riverside Resort, visitors can enjoy direct access to the Animas River. "Nice campground right on the Animas River. Facilities are clean, huge laundry room, pool and a small restaurant on sight," notes one camper about the riverside setting.
Fishing opportunities: The Dolores River offers excellent trout fishing from several cabin properties. At Priest Gulch Campground and RV Park Cabins and Lodge, "A camper caught a 5 lb. cutthroat last week, browns, rainbows, fishing is good," reports one visitor describing the fishing conditions directly from the property.
Water activities: Mancos State Park features no-wake boating on the reservoir where cabin guests often spend time. "Mancos State Park has no-wake boating and is well-known for fishing, especially rainbow trout, a few brownies and yellow perch," states a visitor, highlighting specific fish species available in the area.
What campers like
Shade coverage: HTR Durango Campground (formerly Lightner Creek) receives praise for its natural setting. "Very nice campground with a creek running through it. Bonus if you can get the creek side so you hear it all night. Well kept grounds. Very quiet and shady," mentions one camper, emphasizing the natural sound benefits of creekside sites.
Mountain views: The cabin settings provide notable mountain scenery. "Pure heaven: trees, water, mountains, and silence," describes a visitor to Mancos State Park about the views from their site, highlighting the combination of natural elements that create the setting.
Spacious layouts: Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort offers larger than average cabin sites. "The sites are large and absolutely beautiful," notes a regular visitor who stays at Echo Basin about four times per year, indicating the consistent quality maintained at the property.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Many cabin properties have limited or no cellular coverage. At Vallecito Resort, "Cell service sucks with Verizon up here and WiFi available near office area only," reports a visitor, noting that connectivity is concentrated in specific areas of the property.
Early arrival policies: Some properties charge for early check-ins. At Vallecito Resort, one camper mentioned being charged "$35 for being early," highlighting the importance of adhering to published check-in times.
Seasonal operation: Most cabin properties close during winter months. Blue Spruce RV Park & Cabins operates from "May 1 to October 30," requiring visitors to plan accordingly for shoulder season stays.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Durango North-Riverside KOA offers numerous family activities. "The campground was relatively small so nothing was too far away. Lots of activities to do. Lots of showers that were private stalls," reports a family that appreciated the family-oriented facilities.
Pool access: Several properties provide swimming pools for summer visitors. "We loved Lightner Creek. The creek was great, the pool was welcome relief for the kids," explains a parent who visited HTR Durango Campground with children, noting the value of having both natural and constructed water features.
Playground availability: Children need play areas after long car trips. One visitor to Echo Basin notes the property has "a great place to unwind or meet fellow campers," mentioning the social aspects that benefit families with children.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Morefield Campground at Mesa Verde National Park provides larger sites for RVs with cabins. "The campground is spacious and well-organized, with over 250 sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers," reports a visitor, noting the ample space available.
Hookup positioning: Check hookup placement before selecting a cabin with RV options. At HTR Durango Campground, one RVer noted "our spot nestled in the trees which was nice. The only ding that I'd give this place is that there may be some power issues depending on the site," cautioning about electrical issues at certain locations.
Winter preparation: Most cabin properties with RV access close seasonally. "We ended up in a huge site in the outside edge of campground so no one on either side. The Traffic noise is a little loud but the site size and views make up for it," mentions a visitor to Oasis RV Resort, describing the trade-offs between noise and space at their particular site.
