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Best Tent Camping near Rio Grande National Forest

563 Reviews

Rio Grande National Forest provides multiple primitive tent campsites with varying degrees of amenities and access points. Pass Creek Road Dispersed Camping, Ventana Arch Dispersed Camp, and Turkey Creek Road offer tent-friendly sites with basic accommodations. These areas feature natural settings within the national forest boundary, providing access to surrounding hiking trails and scenic mountain views.

Most primitive tent sites lack facilities such as drinking water, showers, and toilets. Fire rings are present at many established sites, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Tent campers should bring all necessary supplies including water, food, and waste disposal bags. Roads to dispersed camping areas vary in condition, with some requiring higher clearance vehicles. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "The road goes up switchbacks into beautiful mountain scenery. Some of the pull-offs into designated sites may require 4x4 to access."

Dispersed tent camping areas provide excellent opportunities for solitude and connection with nature. Sites at Turkey Creek Road offer mountain views with spacious areas for tent setups. A visitor commented, "We had a great view, plenty of space and privacy." Poage Lake Primitive Campsite provides tent camping adjacent to a secluded lake, making it ideal for anglers. Most areas have sufficient space between campsites to ensure privacy, though popular locations fill quickly during summer weekends. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the forest, with some areas having no coverage. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations, requiring tent campers to prepare for temperature fluctuations even during summer months.

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Best Tent Sites Near Rio Grande National Forest (33)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rio Grande National Forest

7 Photos of 33 Rio Grande National Forest Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Rio Grande National Forest

563 Reviews of 33 Rio Grande National Forest Campgrounds

  • K
    Aug. 11, 2021

    Park Creek Campground

    Park Creek Campground, Rio Grande National Forest

    Park Creek Campground Rio Grande National Forest

    Elevation: 8500

    Directions: In South Fork, Colorado, at intersection of State 149 and US 160, take Road 160 west 7.8 miles to Park Creek campground sign. Turn left at sign into campground.

    This small campground, stretches along the banks of the South Fork of the Rio Grande River among mature shade trees. Many sites are adjacent to the river. US Highway 160 is very close by so will have some traffic noise. The campground has the feel of spacious seclusion and is very cool and shady. Accessible, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Toilets , Drinking water.

  • Sofia A.
    Oct. 6, 2020

    West Fork Dispersed

    Best so far

    This BLM at San Juan National Forest is gorgeous! (Se pics) the spots are kinda leveled, the road to get there is a dirt road but not that bad (I have a converted sprinter full of sh$&@$ and I did it great) it is primitive so no hook ups, restrooms nor trash cans, so PLEASE Leave no Trace! Everything was super clean so I guess people is finally getting it. Te river passes right next to you and the views are amazing! There are a few trails next (like the Rainbow trail). Awesome place to stargaze!

  • Sarah M.
    Sep. 24, 2021

    Mill Creek

    Peaceful In gorgeous setting

    Nestled in pine trees alongside the lake fork of the Gunnison river. Most sites have tons of privacy. All have picnic tables and bear boxes. First-come first-serve. Very clean vault toilet restrooms. Camped here solo and felt very safe. Great access to fishing, hiking, and ATV trails.

  • Donna H.
    May. 25, 2022

    Rio Grande National Forest River Hill Campground

    Forested River Camping

    Lovely small campground with lots of shady, generous campsites, some by the Little Squaw Creek and upper Rio Grande River, and others up next to rock bluffs. The site and facilities were very clean and the camp hosts extremely nice and well versed on this area of Rio Grande National Forest! No electric or sewer hookups, with community well water pumps, and restrooms. Fishing was really good, artificial lures only! Wildlife included elk, moose, bear, deer, chipmunks, rabbits, magpies, ravens, hummingbirds, swallows, and Spring flora were everywhere! Road to camps are rock/dirt, and not very RV friendly (lots of washboards and fallen rock), and if you're not good with heights, some of the road narrows with drop off sides and no railing/barriers. We were there in late May and the nights got down into the 20s, with some heavy wet snow that melted off the next day. Took a drive up past Lost Creek Campground to one of the high meadows and it was breathtaking! Did I mention the elevation of over 10,000 feet? There is a large forested area that has burned, but aspens and other new growth are coming back. Overall, this has been one of our favorite campgrounds. Some sites are reservable and the rest are FCFS. America the Beautiful and Golden Age Passes are accepted.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2023

    Cimarrona Campground

    Pretty Location

    Stayed at site #20 in early June. Elevation around 8400 feet. Beautiful Spring green foliage on the aspens. Clean vault toilets with tp. One potable water station with hand pump. No water & electric hook ups.  There is also trash service in-season. The host, Mike, was very helpful. Firewood for sale at $8/bundle. The campground consists of a handful of sites in an open field, suitable for big rigs, with the remainder of the sites back in the woods which are more suitable to tent, van, car & truck campers. Each site has a metal fire ring and table. Some of the sites in the woods are on a slight slope. Beautiful views of nearby mountains & meadow. Cimarrona Creek runs along side of the campground; fishing doesn't appear to be good in it. Fishing is better south of Williams Creek Reservoir - about 5 miles away. The Cimarrona trail head is behind site #18; this trail leads up into the Weminuche Wilderness area.

  • K
    Jun. 28, 2020

    Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (south Central Co)

    Hidden Gem

    Great campground all around. The Reservoir has some of the best fishing we have found. We caught our bag limit every time we fished. The campground is nicely treed and the spaces are more private than most. The vault toilets are the cleanest and nicest I have ever seen! Be advised that if you are in an RV, you must bring your own water. There are no water hook ups, only to fill containers. There is trash service, but no electric or dump station. There is a really nice trail around the lake.

  • Abigail R.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Ponderosa Campground

    Secluded and beautiful

    I actually deleted my other review because I thought I had the wrong campsite but I checked and it’s all good. The only amenity we had was a vault toilet with a nearby water pump, a fire pit, picnic table and bear boxes. The vault toilets were probably the nicest I’ve been too. They were clean and didn’t smell at all.

    The view was beautiful and it’s a short hike down to wade in the cool water. I really enjoyed the quiet here. There were only a few other campers and it mostly felt like we had the place to ourselves.

  • Lucy L.
    Jun. 18, 2021

    Alamosa

    Rustic and wooded

    I was here on a Thursday and there were 2 other sites taken by the end of the night. This is off a backroad (dirt) that is somewhat well traveled.  So the campground is petty accessible by any vehicle. But the campground is tucked between the river and the road. There was 0 traffic all night, but a few cars by the morning. There is 1 vault toilet and all sites have a picnic table and fire ring. There is parking for 2 cars at each site, but more space to park close by.  No tent pads but the ground is clear for easy tent placement. It is very quiet at night other than the gurgling river. It is thickly wooded and plenty of shade. This is in a small valley that runs East/West, but the sun doesn't pop over the mountains until late and it sets early. This is a free first-come/first-serve campground.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Highway Springs Campground

    Quiet thanks to the river

    Just outside of South Fork, the campground sits above the River. It’s small, with only about a dozen sites. Even though the campground is right next to the highway, it was really quiet thanks to the River. There are two loops, and I preferred the bottom loop thanks to the River. Vault toilet was clean, and sites had the standard fire rings and picnic tables.

Guide to Rio Grande National Forest

Tent camping near Rio Grande National Forest in Colorado offers a serene escape into nature, with stunning views and a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Tips for tent camping near Rio Grande National Forest

  • When visiting Turkey Creek Road, be prepared for a mix of terrain; while there are flat spots, some areas may not be perfectly level for your tent.
  • If you’re looking for a quieter experience, consider Forest Road 37, where you can find remote spots with minimal traffic and a peaceful atmosphere.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles at sites like Poage Lake Primitive Campsite, as amenities are limited and maintaining the natural beauty is essential.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Stunner offers clean facilities with ample space between sites, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
  • At Hanson's Mill Campground, you’ll find picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for enjoying meals and evening campfires.
  • Turkey Creek Road allows pets, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy breathtaking views and hiking opportunities near Poage Lake Primitive Campsite, where you can also indulge in some fly fishing.
  • The scenic drive to Stunner offers beautiful landscapes, making it a great spot for photography and nature walks.
  • For those seeking adventure, Turkey Creek Road is close to ATV trails, providing thrilling rides through the stunning Colorado wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rio Grande National Forest?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rio Grande National Forest is Pass Creek Road Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rio Grande National Forest?

TheDyrt.com has all 33 tent camping locations near Rio Grande National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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