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Camping near San Juan National Forest

1,595 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Dispersed camping near San Juan National Forest in Colorado offers campers extensive options across public lands ranging from primitive backcountry sites to developed campgrounds with modern amenities. The area includes established facilities like Haviland Lake Campground and Junction Creek Campground near Durango, plus numerous free dispersed camping areas along forest roads. Hermosa Park Road Dispersed and Madden Peak Road provide popular alternatives for those seeking more remote experiences without fees or reservations. Several locations accommodate various camping styles including tent sites, RV parking with hookups, and even cabin rentals at locations such as Priest Gulch Campground and Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort.

Most dispersed camping areas near San Juan National Forest remain accessible from May through October, though high-elevation sites may have shorter seasons due to snow conditions. "This is a beautiful area and many camp sites at the bottom by the creek. However during 4th of July it was packed. We went up the mountain and found a beautiful pond to camp next to," noted one visitor about the Hermosa Creek area. Road conditions vary significantly, with some areas requiring high-clearance 4WD vehicles, particularly after creek crossings or during spring runoff periods. Cell service is virtually non-existent in many camping areas, making advance planning essential. Visitors should be prepared for wildlife encounters, including bears, and follow proper food storage protocols. Fire restrictions frequently impact the region during summer drought conditions.

Campers consistently praise the waterfront sites along creeks and rivers throughout the forest. Many dispersed sites along Hermosa Park Road offer creek-side camping with stunning mountain views, making them highly sought-after during peak season. The combination of solitude and scenic beauty makes these areas particularly appealing to those willing to venture farther from town. According to reviews, the remoteness provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, with visitors reporting sightings of elk, fox, and marmots. During busy summer weekends and holidays, arriving early proves essential for securing prime locations, especially at no-fee sites. Several campgrounds close to trailheads serve as convenient base camps for exploring the extensive trail network, with the Hermosa Creek Trail being particularly popular for hiking, biking and fishing opportunities.

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Best Camping Sites Near San Juan National Forest (268)

    1. Haviland Lake Campground

    22 Reviews
    Cascade, CO
    10 miles
    Website

    $32 - $98 / night

    "I stayed at Haviland Lake near Durango, Colorado for three days, but could have stayed for a week or more!"

    "There are hookups at this campground and it isn't too far away from stores.  Liked the place overall.  No rushing waters but Haviland Lake took the attention. "

    2. Junction Creek Campground

    26 Reviews
    Purgatory, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 702-1420

    $32 - $150 / night

    "Very nice campground in a beautiful area near Durango. The bathrooms were very clean and the lots were all in good spots. Very close to part of the Colorado Trail!"

    "The double site allowed us to put our 24-foot trailer across both spots with our front door facing the back of the campsite with nothing but beautiful national forest behind us!"

    3. Priest Gulch Campground and RV Park Cabins and Lodge

    13 Reviews
    San Juan National Forest, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 562-3810

    "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."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Hermosa Park Road Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Rico, CO
    9 miles

    "Flat grassy site, good distance away from the campground below. Had the place to ourselves"

    "Dispersed camping, no amenities, but beautiful location. Little streams running nearby, wildlife viewing, the drive up the slope is beautiful as well"

    5. Madden Peak Road - Dispersed

    24 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    15 miles
    Website

    "We decided to drive further up the mountain, gaining some elevation but it was much more secluded."

    "Madden Peak dispersed camping is a fantastic option for those seeking a peaceful and scenic camping experience near Mesa Verde National Park, Cortez, and Durango."

    6. Lower Hermosa Campground

    12 Reviews
    San Juan National Forest, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 247-4874

    $20 / night

    "Right next to Hermosa Creek trail. Such a beautiful place. The bathrooms are clean, the camp host is an awesome guy. Would definitely stay again."

    "Access to camp ground is on a rock dirt road that goes from single to double lane off and on. I drove a 21foot bus with a 16x7 tandem axle trailer."

    7. Morefield Campground — Mesa Verde National Park

    104 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 449-2288

    "Good showers, some of the camp sites have decent WiFi connection, fairly quiet, and wildlife (deer and prairie dogs) in camp side. Toilets not the best, lots of wasps"

    "I'm not sure what the hook-up situation is for campers. We were able to enjoy cool evening walks; where we would often spot deer."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    8. Durango North-Riverside KOA

    15 Reviews
    Cascade, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 247-4499

    "Outside of Durango, away from the road, all you hear is the river running by. The sites are all large and the grounds are immaculate. We stayed 5 nights and were very sad to leave."

    "The river was right behind our site and there was a small amount of privacy. Pool was superb. My only complaints are that the bathhouse I went to (old one) was pretty rough."

    9. Alpen Rose RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Durango, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 247-5540

    $65 - $1 / night

    "Its a pretty expensive park...big rigs are regularly 79.00 and they did discount it 8.00 per night for off season, but all the big rig sites line up along the entrance/exit and people are arriving as late"

    "Easy to find off the Highway. Close but not too close to downtown Durango. We were immediately greeted by CJ. He was extremely nice and he guided us to our shady site by the cafe."

    10. Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort

    20 Reviews
    Mancos, CO
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 533-7000

    "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."

    "It is easy to sit back and relax or play a game of pickleball while the squirrels are running around."

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Recent Camping Photos near San Juan National Forest

517 Photos of 268 San Juan National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near San Juan National Forest

1595 Reviews of 268 San Juan National Forest Campgrounds

  • Haley L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 20, 2025

    Lime Creek - Dispersed Sites

    Beautiful mountain view dispersed camping

    Did a quick overnight in November. Any card could get to the first set of spots here, didn’t really bother with going further down the road as i was the only one here. Definitely sites suitable for some big rigs, enough space for lots of tents too, and some nice fire rings with a beautiful view of the twilight (?) mountains. Pretty decent Verizon cell service.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Red Mountain RV Park Ouray Colorado

    Down by the river

    Check in is online or at the main office down the road. Great service. Camped at the rivers edge. Close to downtown.

  • VanRumschpringa V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Bayfield/Durango Dispersed Camping

    Easy access to Durango, some sites better than others

    The series about 18 minutes south west of Durango. Relatively convenient for access to the town and activities in the area. The main road into the area is very easy navigable by any vehicle. Some of the side roads get significantly tougher. The sites in the middle tend to be better because they’re away from the highway and some sort of pumping station further on. The rhythmic sound of that pumping station can be maddening. We camps just beyond that and though we could hear it, our site was spacious and relatively quiet.

  • VanRumschpringa V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Mesa Verde National Park Boundary (BLM Land)

    Good free camping, some road noise

    There are 15 campsites. At the end of the trail is a turnaround. The sites are relatively large. Any vehicle could get up here without any problem. We stayed in site seven and had great views of the mountains.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Boggy Draw 1

    Boggy Draw area

    Lots of dispersed camping off of Boggy Draw road. We found one further off the road and close to where the Boggy Draw loop and Maverick loop intersect. Pretty level, has a fire ring, very quiet mid-October. Wouldn’t be good if muddy. Some sites need a vehicle with clearance. Lots of sites for tent camping. No view but surrounded by Ponderosa Pine, very pretty. We were able to get to our site in our Ekko.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 20, 2025

    Bay City Campground

    Great dispersed spot!

    This is our second time here. We were here in June and despite it being a small campground we’re able to secure two spots. We are back in October. The river is more shallow and the air more crisp, yet still gives the feel of such a natural feel and sound. Private, cozy, and secluded. Only 25 minutes from Durango. Hate to promote it because more people will seek it out.

  • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Morefield Campground — Mesa Verde National Park

    Great campground in National Park that was open during government shutdown !

    Thanks to the non-government workers at MVNP some of the services were still available! Campground offers many different options for sites with flush toilets nearby most sites. Showers at central location. 24 hour laundry. 2 restaurant/gift shop locations. Of course the scenery is beautiful!

  • Hillary B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Matterhorn — Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre And Gunnison National Forest

    Quick comfortable stay

    We stayed here between Telluride Town Park and Ridgway State Park. Main attraction was the fact that it had full hookups so we could reset and dump our tanks. It turned out to be quiet and beautiful, even though the sites are quite close together.

Guide to San Juan National Forest

San Juan National Forest campgrounds provide access to over 1.8 million acres of diverse terrain ranging from 5,000 to 14,000 feet in elevation. The region experiences significant seasonal variations, with high-elevation areas receiving heavy snowfall through late spring and summer thunderstorms typically occurring between noon and 3 p.m. Cell service becomes increasingly unreliable beyond 5 miles from major highways, with most dispersed camping areas having no reception.

What to do

Hiking from camp: Junction Creek Campground offers direct access to the Colorado Trail. "Hiking and biking trails are easy to access and provide stunning views. We can't wait to return!" notes camper Brooke C. about the pristine ponderosa pine surroundings.

Fishing opportunities: Priest Gulch Campground provides riverside camping with productive fishing. "A camper caught a 5 lb. cutthroat last week, browns, rainbows, fishing is good," reports David B. The campground's location directly on the Dolores River makes it ideal for anglers.

Wildlife viewing: Hermosa Park Road Dispersed camping areas offer excellent wildlife spotting chances. "Full of wildlife, Bear, elk, fox and the marmot highway," reports Kendrick, who stayed at a site overlooking the valley. Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Junction Creek Campground receives consistent praise for spacious sites. "Our site was huge and very private. We had a great free space behind us in the forest for some fun exploring and a clearing for stargazing," explains Stacy, highlighting the campground's layout.

Clean facilities: Haviland Lake Campground maintains exceptionally clean amenities. "Camp hosts were very engaged. Clean pit toilets. Lots of hiking in area," notes Donald S. The 30-minute drive from Durango provides enough distance for a true forest experience while remaining accessible.

Free firewood: Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort provides complimentary firewood, an unusual amenity in the region. "They offer free firewood, shower facilities, and laundry along with a camp store," mentions Jeremy M., who found the property "immaculately maintained."

What you should know

Fire restrictions: Fire bans frequently impact the region, particularly during dry summer months. Always check current restrictions before planning campfires, especially at dispersed sites.

Limited cell service: Most camping areas have minimal reception. "No cell service at all for AT&T users," notes Stacy at Junction Creek. Download offline maps before arrival as navigation becomes challenging in remote areas.

Weather extremes: Morefield Campground visitors warn about sudden weather changes. "Campers should be prepared for sudden and severe weather. The high desert location can bring intense storms with strong winds. During our stay, our tent nearly flew away despite being staked down securely," cautions Paulina B.

Tips for camping with families

Best campgrounds for kids: Haviland Lake Campground offers lake activities suitable for children. "The lake was great for kayaking and we saw a lot of people fishing. Great hiking trail that follows along a stream," reports H.Z., who found the experience peaceful.

Educational opportunities: Mesa Verde National Park provides unique learning experiences. "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," recommends Bianca C., who visited with family.

Family-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer surprising conveniences. "The all-you-can-eat pancakes for $10 is a pretty good steal," notes Bianca C. about the camp store at Morefield, which can simplify morning routines with children.

Tips from RVers

Level sites: Lower Hermosa Campground provides stable parking for various vehicles. "Sites have picnic table and fire pit with grill. Access to campground is on a rock dirt road that goes from single to double lane off and on. I drove a 21-foot bus with a 16x7 tandem axle trailer," explains David A.

Full hookup options: Madden Peak Road dispersed camping accommodates larger rigs with relatively flat terrain. "This area is big rig accessible, with relatively flat camping spots, though the access roads can be bumpy at times," notes Paulina B. These sites provide free camping with more space than established campgrounds.

Late-season availability: Many campgrounds close by early October, but some remain open year-round. "The winter rate (starting Oct) is $30. Spots are level and spacious and lots of trees to add privacy," shares Julie F. about Haviland Lake, making it suitable for shoulder-season visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at San Juan National Forest campgrounds?

San Juan National Forest campgrounds offer a range of amenities depending on the type of campground. Developed sites like Junction Creek Campground typically provide vault toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. Matterhorn Campground offers well-maintained facilities that balance comfort with outdoor adventure. Many campgrounds have fire rings, while some higher-elevation sites like Little Molas Lake offer spectacular views but more basic facilities. For those seeking more amenities, the forest's edge features full-service options like Vallecito Resort with spacious RV sites and comprehensive facilities. Most public campgrounds have vault toilets and designated parking, though water availability varies seasonally. Some campgrounds are first-come-first-served, so arriving early is recommended during peak season.

Where are the best campgrounds in San Juan National Forest?

Little Molas Lake Campground stands out as one of the best, situated at approximately 12,000 feet elevation along the Million Dollar Highway between Durango and Silverton. This first-come, first-served campground offers a peaceful setting with the Colorado Trail passing directly through it. For a scenic lakeside experience, Priest Lake Dispersed Camping Area provides beautiful mountain views and the sounds of nature, with both RV/van sites and tent-only options. Other highly-rated options include Mancos State Park Campground with no-wake boating and excellent fishing, and Junction Creek Campground near Durango. For those seeking RV accommodations with full hookups, Dolores River RV Resort offers a convenient basecamp at 7,000 feet elevation with easy access to regional attractions.

When is the best time of year to camp in San Juan National Forest?

The optimal camping season in San Juan National Forest typically runs from late June through early October. Higher elevation campgrounds like Molas Lake Park & Campground may not fully open until July due to lingering snow, while some lower elevation sites open earlier. Summer brings comfortable temperatures with cool nights, but afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, so morning activities are recommended. September offers spectacular fall colors as aspens turn golden, particularly in areas like Owl Creek Pass, with fewer crowds and stable weather. Winter camping is possible at lower elevations, with Mancos State Park offering year-round access including winter yurts. Spring can be unpredictable with muddy conditions and snowmelt-swollen streams. Always check road conditions and campground status before your trip, especially in shoulder seasons.

Is dispersed camping allowed in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado?

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed throughout much of the San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Golden Hour Dispersed offers riverside camping with access to vault toilets and trails, though privacy can be limited during busy periods. Dispersed Campsites on 591 near 550 (Lime Creek Area) provide convenient access for fishing enthusiasts, located between Durango and Silverton. The standard Forest Service regulations apply: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings when possible, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Most dispersed sites are free but lack amenities like water or trash service. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as they change seasonally. Some popular dispersed areas may have specific regulations or seasonal closures, so it's advisable to check with the local ranger district office.

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