The Purgatory, Colorado region sits at an elevation of 8,800 feet, surrounded by the San Juan National Forest and multiple alpine lakes and reservoirs. The area experiences dramatic seasonal changes with heavy snowfall in winter and cool summer nights even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Most glamping accommodations near Purgatory provide propane heaters as nighttime temperatures typically drop below 50°F even in summer months.
What to do
Catch the historic train: United Campground of Durango offers unique opportunities to see the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad up close. "The greatest thing about this campground though is that the Durango steam train goes right through the campground. To see the historic train right from your camper or tent window is pretty great," notes Nick S. The train provides excellent photo opportunities without needing to drive into town.
Fish the reservoir: Haviland Lake Campground provides excellent fishing access in a peaceful setting. "You could hear water flowing to the lake from most campsites. The lake was great for kayaking and we saw a lot of people fishing," according to H.Z. The campground sits just 30 minutes from Durango and maintains clean facilities even during peak season.
Explore Mesa Verde: Staying at Morefield Campground provides convenient access to the ancient cliff dwellings. "Staying here makes for an easy morning before some ranger led tours. The park is big. If you have the option to stay here, stay here," advises Bianca C. The campground includes free, unlimited hot showers after a day of exploring the archaeological sites.
What campers like
Riverside locations: Durango North-Riverside KOA provides premium sites along the Animas River. "Our spots were on the river and were beautiful. The pizza was good also when we didn't feel like cooking," mentions Denise D. Unlike other local campgrounds, this location combines water proximity with amenities like a pool and food service.
Clean facilities: Pine Point Campground at Vallecito Reservoir stands out for its maintenance standards. "The camp host kept the place immaculate. Our site was raked smooth when we arrived," writes John H. The campground features "the cleanest vault toilets I have ever seen" according to regular visitors, making glamping close to Purgatory more comfortable.
Peaceful settings: Target Tree Campground provides a quieter alternative to busier resort-style accommodations. "Beautiful well spaced sites with plenty of room to spread out. Sparkling clean bathrooms. Road noise but it's not so bad at night. Great camp host," reports Lauren. The campground offers potable water and well-maintained facilities despite its more rustic setting.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most glamping sites near Purgatory have limited operating seasons due to harsh winter conditions. "We ended up leaving a night early bc we're not prepared for below freezing," reports one Morefield camper in May, highlighting the need for proper cold-weather gear even in spring.
Site variations: HTR Durango Campground (formerly Lightner Creek) has significant differences between tent and RV sites. "The tent space #2 that we stayed in was barely a site. Carved out of the slope, the quite small site was not flat, limiting the way we could sleep," warns Erika G., while noting "The larger RV/camper sites appeared to be quite nice."
Reservation needs: Pine Point Campground requires advance planning. "We have stayed at this campground several times and really enjoyed it. We try to stay in site 18 as much as possible but you really have to make your reservations early. This is a very popular campground," advises John H.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: The Durango RV Resort offers excellent family amenities. "They had an ice cream station, outdoor movie watching area, pool, playground and other things. You can order breakfast and go to the trailer where it's cooked," shares Andy O. The resort provides structured activities that keep children entertained.
Lake activities: Mancos State Park Campground provides family-friendly water recreation. "One of the prettiest state park campgrounds. The lake is great for canoeing and fishing and the campground is small enough that older kids can be turned loose to enjoy themselves," reports Maggie F. The park's yurt accommodations offer upscale glamping options suitable for families seeking more comfort.
Trail proximity: Haviland Lake features accessible hiking options right from your site. "There are several trails around the park and lake that leave right from the campground," notes Leah W., making it easy for families to enjoy short nature walks without driving to trailheads.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Mancos State Park provides varying levels of service for RVs. "They just updated the dump station with a new potable water spigot, so we were able to top off our tank coming and going," reports Rick G. The park's proximity to Mesa Verde makes it popular despite limited hookups.
Site dimensions: Target Tree Campground accommodates larger RVs but requires planning. "Target Tree is an excellent RV campground with large sites and plenty of room. The camp host is great, friendly, and helpful," explains Dave. The campground's location between Mesa Verde and Durango provides a central base for exploring both areas.
Power concerns: When glamping close to Purgatory with electrical needs, always check connections. "Always check your hookups before settling in. The monitor indicated reverse polarity so we ended up having to move to another site," warns Glenn F. about one local campground, emphasizing the importance of surge protectors in this region.
