Pet-friendly camping near Rico ranges from developed RV sites with full hookups to free primitive dispersed camping, giving dog owners plenty of options across the region. Cayton Campground's pet-friendly sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with electricity available at 20 sites along the Dolores River. Located in San Juan National Forest, the campground features clean vault toilets, drinking water, and fire rings with grills at each site. Hermosa Park Road Dispersed Camping offers free primitive camping with no amenities but allows pets in a secluded setting with creek access. Several miles down Hermosa Park Road, campers find numerous pull-offs suitable for both tents and RVs. Priest Gulch Campground and RV Park accepts pets at their cabin accommodations as well as tent and RV sites, providing full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections. Molas Lake Park & Campground maintains pet-friendly sites with picnic tables and fire rings alongside drinking water and trash service. The constant sound of rushing water at Cayton provides a peaceful backdrop for camping with dogs.
Road access varies significantly between established and dispersed camping options. Hermosa Park Road requires careful driving but remains passable for most vehicles, though high clearance is recommended for accessing deeper sites. During early June, creek crossings may be challenging for 2WD vehicles when water levels rise. Download maps before arriving as cell service is nonexistent at most campgrounds. Priest Gulch offers market services where campers can purchase supplies, while most dispersed sites require bringing all necessities. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage and pet supervision. Sites along Hermosa Creek provide catch-and-release fishing opportunities for cutthroat trout, with many campers reporting jumping fish in nearby streams. Morning wildlife viewing opportunities abound with reports of elk, fox, and marmots in the area, particularly along the dispersed camping routes.
"AVOID THE BOULDERS IN THE ROAD, will scratch car, do a diagonal dance up the path and you’ll be fine. I drive up in a sedan and almost made all the way to the lake."
"Beautiful views of surrounding mountains and Alta lakes as well as access to the ghost town of Alta."
"Had a wonderful stay right next to the lake. Woke up to the sounds of birds. Sites include RV/van sites (2?) and at least six tent only sites. Each night only one other site was occupied."
"Many walk in sites available. Not too many drive up sites. We chose one by the lake but had to walk back and forth to our truck to get things and set up camp. We stayed here two nights."
"If Google maps has you routed you to take rd 58 just north of Rico, don't do it. The real entrance is through Purgatory Resort. I somehow made it over the mountain in my 98 Econoline w/ RWD."
"Flat grassy site, good distance away from the campground below. Had the place to ourselves"
$30 - $41 / night
"We hiked up to Hope Lake as suggested by cashier at gas station in Rico. A bit to early to see the lake in all its glory, August would have been better. Yet, we loved our time at Cayton Campground!"
"Nice CG but in a canyon next to hwy so some hwy noise. Two loops, loop A has 20 sites and is the electric hookup loop and for larger RVs and TTs."
"Lovely walking paths and trails right in the campground. The river was delightful for the kids to play in and to listen to through the night. So close to so many beautiful places to play all around."
"T4 is tucked away perfectly in the trees, on the bank of the Dolores river. ATT has good reception for calling, but it is Edge service. It will not work for internet."
$32 - $98 / night
"I stayed at Haviland Lake near Durango, Colorado for three days, but could have stayed for a week or more!"
"The area was so peaceful and the Lake Loop trail was the perfect thing to wipe out our dogs for the day."
$26 - $40 / night
"Matterhorn Campground, located near Telluride and nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, offers an excellent balance of comfort and outdoor adventure."
"We were happy to have hot showers as we were on day 4&5 of our camping across Colorado honeymoon and it had rained nights 1-4. There were two camp hosts both of the ladies were nice."
$25 - $45 / night
"multiple bathrooms throughout the park to accommodate campers, showers ($5 for 4 minutes- not the greatest but hey its hot water) plus fire rings and bear safe trash bins. the lake is stocked with trout"
"I've spent quite a bit of time at various sites around this campground during annual vacations and using it as a base for geological field work nearby."
"This is a great dispersed camping option near Telluride. It’s an open grass area surrounded by trees and views of the mountains."
"Convenient location to stay overnight near Telluride. Close to the road, but also close to a vault toilet across the road at lizard head pass trailhead."
$30 - $60 / night
"Large grassy area in the center for kids to play, pavilion with live music plus group fire pits to sit around in the large swing seating. Two small dog parks with seating and shade."
"Lots of grassy areas for kids and dogs. Lots of trees and peacefulness. Full electric water and waste hookups. Free Laundry, Shower rooms and bathrooms in the center of the park."
GuideOur family vacation destination- would provide 6 stars if a could. Main features- pool, great family play areas, huge lots and shaded lots- not really a bad spot. Pond, 2 Acre dog park- beautiful sites and quick drive to town or off-road. We stayed here twice because a bad experience in Silverton
RangerThis campsite is great if you want to do Telluride on a budget - it's free. It's right next to the town and is used a lot for Telluride's summer festivals. Its more than a campground it is also where a lot of town events are held and also has sports venues. There's also grills, bathrooms, picnic tables, a dog park, and a pond. Unless you're at a festival, the campground isn't where you will want to spend your time though. The campground is very close to Bridal Veil Falls, a huge free fall waterfall. You can drive or hike up to it, and climb around on the rocks and get blasted by cold water from the falls. It's huge. There's also a bunch of awesome hikes around Telluride - the San Juans are my favorite part of Colorado.
GuideLoved loved loved our stay here! Tucked away from the highway and far enough from any big city, you want nature and stars at night? This is the place! We backed up to a huge green field. The gentleman that helped us back our 42 foot rig into our site gave PERFECT directions, telling my husband which was to turn our wheel which make this a first try back in. The owner was the kindest man we enjoyed getting to know. No dog park, but a large open field we're allowed to utilize, letting the pups off leash. They LOVED it! Mesa Verde NP with the cliff dwellings are a short drive away, perfect day trip. We should have stayed here a whole week!
LegendThe Cortex/Mesa Verde KOA in Cortez, Colorado, was the best campground we stayed at (out of 10) on our #9parks12days road trip in June 2016. Not only was the site itself updated, it was the FIRST KOA we stayed at that had usable Wi-Fi - as in video streaming capabilities! When traveling with kids, this is such a HUGE amenity.
This campground has an updated playground, heated (seasonal) swimming pool, a 1-mile walking trail, dog park, and even tepees in addition to cabins for overnight camping. Not to mention, the campground is located a mere 15 minutes from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park. Other highlights: newer laundry facilities, of which we made use, and awesome mountain and mesa views right from your site.
Don't expect a ton of privacy - sites are very close together. The family next to ours had an outdoor living room set up that pretty much took the entire space between our RVs. However, the grounds were well-kept, and there was plenty of space to remove yourself from other people throughout the facility.
ScoutIncredibly friendly staff, great store with camping necessities and fun swag. Dog park was large enough with a shaded tree and benches. Pickle ball, movie night, pool, playground ect included. Almost every space was filled but it was quiet because the activities are spread nicely away from where we were. Pull through sites with enough room. Good price for the location.
GuideI just parked in the car park for the night and I would stay the price is a bit much for just a parking spot with no amenities but the staff was amazing and the bathrooms were extremely clean and nice!! Also a very nice dog park!! The spot I was in was next to the entrance and had some road noise as well as bright light from the Park sign.
GuideAbout 5 miles drive to town which is fine for us. We stayed in a shady spot near the back. Bathrooms are clean and decorated with a country/western vibe, and a 2 acre dog park !
LegendMy family and I stayed here for 3 nights in late July in a 34-foot travel trailer. We made reservations over the phone and found the customer service to be exemplary (I called at the last minute to both cancel and then later to re-instate my reservation when we had car trouble on the way). When we arrived the check-in process was straight forward and easy. The roads are gravel but well-graded and the majority of the sites are pull-thru. We had no trouble getting into ours, however, we found rather quickly that sites are extremely close together. Our back-side neighbors had to move their picnic table back in order to accommodate our driver-side slide (the distance between our extended slide and their trailer is about 8 feet. But... we all made it work. There is a 10 pm lights-out policy to cut down on light pollution and see the stars. And the people who camped next to us were considerate.
The campground has lots of amenities. A log cabin (rec center) with pool, video games, TV with DVD library, books, and board games. Laundry with decent pricing. Mini-golf ($3 per person). A nice pool and hot tub. A dog park with agility obstacles. Nice playground. Wifi signal is strong with decent bandwidth (they discourage streaming). Next door is a horseriding stables ($40 an hour, $25 for a half hour); the horses come up to the fence and love to be petted. The store in the office is small but has the basic amenities. Groceries can be purchased in Cortez, a 15-minute drive away. And, of course, Mesa Verde National Park is right across the road, less than 5 minutes to the visitor center. The only downside (besides the tightness of the spaces) is that dumpster was very full and near to overflowing.
Overall we enjoyed our stay here, and thought the location to the park and local area was perfect. Would recommend and definitely stay here again.
GuideDon’t let the dilapidated mobile home near the entrance scare you away. This place is super well maintained. Every site is well thought out and has great hookups. I thought a plug water and sewer was pretty uniform. Our site had a pedestal with 20/30/50 amp and then another with 30 20 feet further into the site. Lots of shade. The sites along the south edge of the property have amazing views of the Cortez valley and Sleeping Ute Mountain. Really nice communal fire pit, dog park and some trails too. Some sites have a beautiful brick fire ring too.
The San Juan National Forest surrounds Rico, Colorado, at elevations between 8,800 and 10,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 40-75°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while fall brings crisp air and vibrant aspen colors. Most pet-friendly camping options near Rico offer sites along creeks or rivers, with camping season typically running from late May through early October depending on snowfall.
Fishing at high mountain lakes: Trout Lake near Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area offers excellent fishing opportunities. "We set up our tent here for 2 days. It is completely free, and you are able to get into the site with a 2WD car. We left our tent over night and had no problems. You can hike down to the lake where we saw some fish!" reports Leah W.
Explore ghost towns: Visit the Alta Lakes ghost town near Telluride. "The ghost town comes before the campground and we did attempt to go to the campground but in one spot we couldn't see what was on the other side of our hood of our truck and chose to turn around. Regardless, we camped behind the brothel, which is one of the only buildings still fully standing," explains Melissa K. from Alta Lakes Campground.
Hike the Colorado Trail: The trail passes through Molas Lake Park & Campground with multiple day-hike options. "The Colorado Trail runs through the campground and whether you do a quick toddler hike to the waterfall or a much longer hike down to the river there is just so much to do here and to explore," says Casey C.
Free firewood at riverside sites: Campers appreciate the generous amenities at some private campgrounds. "They offer, for free, Wi-Fi, clean, hot showers, laundry, and even gas grills with propane, hell, they even put a stack of split wood at every campsite and have small contained pits at each as well," notes Nott S. about Stoner RV Resort.
Creek-side camping: Numerous dispersed sites along Hermosa Creek provide natural water features. "Dispersed camping, no amenities, but beautiful location. Little streams running nearby, wildlife viewing, the drive up the slope is beautiful as well," shares Brooke C. about Hermosa Park Road sites.
Star-watching opportunities: The area's high elevation and minimal light pollution create excellent night skies. "The night views are stellar. Like I said, this is a no frills spot but we loved it. I'll probably stop here again if I'm in this area and thankful it is available and free," says Thomas S. about camping at Lizard Head Pass.
Variable road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving, especially after rain or early in the season. "If Google maps has you routed to take rd 58 just north of Rico, don't do it. The real entrance is through Purgatory Resort. I somehow made it over the mountain in my 98 Econoline w/ RWD. I wouldn't recommend it," warns Evan H. about Hermosa Park Road Dispersed.
Limited or no cell service: Most campgrounds near Rico have minimal connectivity. "Download maps before arriving as cell service is nonexistent at most campgrounds," Kyle O. advises about Hermosa Park Road. At Priest Gulch, "ATT has good reception for calling, but it is Edge service. It will not work for internet."
Early fill times during peak season: Popular dispersed sites fill quickly on summer weekends. "We arrived around 7PM on Friday during Memorial Weekend and thought I'd be out of luck but it was barely half full!" shares Kelsey I. about Priest Lake. However, at Hermosa Park Road, "Very busy on a Friday-Sunday. Arrive early to find a spot," cautions Kendrick.
Dog-friendly lake swimming: Several lakes offer safe areas for pets and children during summer months. "One of those classic colorado vistas, with outdoors feel, safe swimming for children and all round good times," mentions scot E. about Alta Lakes.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated spaces for children. "Large grassy area in the center for kids to play, pavilion with live music plus group fire pits to sit around in the large swing seating. Two small dog parks with seating and shade," describes MP C. about Stoner RV Resort.
Wildlife viewing with children: Morning hours provide opportunities to spot animals safely. "Morning wildlife viewing opportunities with reports of elk, fox, and marmots in the area. Full of wildlife, Bear, elk, fox and the marmot highway," notes Kendrick about Hermosa Park Road.
Electric hookup options: Several campgrounds offer partial hookups for RVs. "There are 2 loops, one loop with electric and tent only. It was $24 a nice plus an extra $6 for electric," mentions Jill M. about Cayton Campground.
Level site challenges: Many dispersed areas require leveling equipment. "Nice spot off the road to boondock, with great views both directions. We pulled in on a Thursday afternoon and didn't have any problems finding a good spot (make sure you have your levelers packed!)" advises Shannon S. about Lizard Head Pass.
Dump station availability: Limited dump facilities mean planning ahead. "Dump available for a small addition fee. The camp hosts were among the friendliness we've had," notes Kelsey C. about Cayton Campground, while at Haviland Lake, "Sites are level and spacious and lots of trees to add privacy."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Rico, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Rico, CO is Alta Lakes Campground (Dispersed) with a 4.4-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Rico, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 190 dog-friendly camping locations near Rico, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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