RV campgrounds near Purgatory, Colorado sit at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 8,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Campgrounds in this region offer varying levels of amenities, from basic water and electric connections to comprehensive RV resorts with recreational facilities.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Near Priest Gulch Campground, the Dolores River provides excellent trout fishing. "A camper caught a 5 lb. cutthroat last week, browns, rainbows, fishing is good," notes one visitor about the fishing conditions.
Hot springs access: Campgrounds north of Durango provide convenient access to natural hot springs. Westerly RV Park offers a strategic location "across the street from the newly remodeled Durango Hot Springs," making it easy to enjoy thermal waters after a day of exploring.
Train excursions: The historic Durango-Silverton train operates near several RV parks. A visitor at Alpen Rose RV Park mentioned, "The Durango Silverton train track is just across the road from the entrance," making it convenient for campers to experience this popular attraction.
What Campers Like
Privacy features: Many campers appreciate well-designed site layouts. At Sky Ute Casino Resort, "This RV Park is nicely designed to give you privacy from your neighbors with bushes and trees planted between sites," making it more comfortable than typical parking-lot style arrangements.
Dog-friendly amenities: Several parks offer dedicated pet areas. "There is a very nice dog run and exercise area," noted one camper about Alpen Rose RV Park, while another mentioned the "MASSIVE" dog park that enhances pet owners' stays.
Convenient locations: Strategic positioning near attractions matters to visitors. A Mesa Verde RV Resort guest highlighted its practical location: "Located 1/2 mile east of the National Park entrance. Sites are roomy, property very clean and staff friendly," making it ideal for exploring the national park.
What You Should Know
Seasonal operation: Most RV parks in the region operate seasonally. Priest Gulch operates during warmer months, while others like Alpen Rose RV Park run from April through October.
Reservation requirements: Summer months typically require advance planning. At Stoner RV Resort, a visitor noted: "Driving in I got nervous. No service and the front office was closed so I wasn't sure how to check into my site," highlighting the importance of confirmed reservations.
Internet connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. A Blue Spruce RV Park visitor reported, "We have Verizon and despite having no service on the drive to blue spruce, once we arrived the bars lit up!" This location-specific information helps remote workers plan accordingly.
Utility reliability: Electrical systems can vary between parks. At Westerly RV Park, one visitor cautioned: "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Blue Spruce RV Park & Cabins offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a very quiet, well run campground... There is a very nice dog run and exercise area. They also have a trout pond," noted one visitor, providing entertainment options for children.
Swimming options: Several parks feature water recreation. Mesa Verde RV Resort provides "One very nice large pool and two spas. Playground area as well," making it suitable for families with children of various ages.
Group facilities: Parks with common areas facilitate family gatherings. At Stoner RV Resort, a camper mentioned the "pavilion with live music plus group fire pits to sit around in the large swing seating," creating spaces for family social time.
Educational opportunities: Position your stay near learning experiences. Mesa Verde RV Resort's proximity to the national park means "You can fill your propane here too. All in all if we ever find ourselves returning to that area to go to Mesa Verde Park we will 100% stay here again."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Alpen Rose RV Park, a visitor advised: "All the big rig sites line up along the entrance/exit and people are arriving as late as 8pm which is really obnoxious when your eating dinner listening to rig after rig and car after car... We would come back, but would take a back in next time so we arent so close to the entrance."
Campground layout considerations: Westerly RV Park has specific site arrangements. "The spots inside the circle drive seemed much more packed in than the spots on the outside. One thing to note, at least at our site, was that the water/electric were shared with the neighbor."
Leveling requirements: Some sites require minimal adjustment. A visitor at Sky Ute Casino Resort noted: "All sites are asphalt with concrete pads for the tables. The sites are level," reducing setup time and eliminating the need for extensive blocking.
Utility connections: Understanding hookup arrangements helps with site selection. At Westerly RV Park: "This resulted in a nice front-side experience for us as we weren't looking at (or smelling) the rig next to us."
