Best Glamping near San Juan National Forest, CO

Vallecito Resort, situated near Durango, Colorado, caters to both full-time RV enthusiasts and vacationers seeking a mountain retreat. Nestled in the San Juan National Forest, it provides a serene natural setting with comprehensive amenities. Upon arrival, guests can enjoy spacious sites, immerse themselves in the forest ambiance, and plan their outdoor activities. 

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Mancos State Park has no-wake boating and is well-known for fishing, especially rainbow trout, a few brownies and yellow perch. There are 33 campsites on two sides of the lake, plus two all-season yurts. During the winter, it is a great place to use as a base for cross country skiing.

It is near the La Plata range to the east, and Mesa Verde National Park to the southwest. Durango is about 45 minutes to the east, and the City of Cortez about 25 minutes to the west. Telluride ski resort is about a two-hour drive. Both Cortez and Durango are full-service cities, with multiple supermarkets, other chains, etc. The town of Mancos, about a 12-minute drive from the park, has a full-service sit-down restaurant/bakery, a natural foods store, other restaurants, a community grocery store, shops, modern library and other amenities.

The park adjoins the San Juan National Forest, including multiple hiking trails, the Chicken Creek cross country ski area, the Sawtooth and Millwood trails, and other trails. The nearby forest (about a mile up the road) has dispersed camping as well as organized campgrounds accessible by a paved road.

There also is a dude ranch next to the park, and the approximate 1-mile trail around the park takes hikers over some beautiful scenery. There are no corrals, but horses are allowed on specific trails.

None of the campsites currently have water or electric hookups, but potable water is available at several connections on the east (main) side of the park. While there is no public WiFi, cell signals are strong.

Lovely Campground! Scenic views and very clean park! Bathrooms are cleaner than mine at home. Laundry Facilities nice. Great community outdoor kitchen area. Glamping tents looked nice and positioned for fantastic views. Owners were very nice and Bentley the cat was a friendly mascot! Great sleeping here!

We stayed in the “primitive” glamping tent, and were completely thrilled. The bed was comfy, the tent kept us dry during storms, and we had room to entertain our friends. We cooked out in the pavilion twice, used the laundry room and showers, and all were great. Best of all, Matt & team were so kind and accommodating. We wouldn’t have left if we didn’t have to, and we can’t wait to visit again!

We had an amazing stay at Basecamp 550. The campground’s location is perfect, with easy access to Ouray, Montrose, Telluride, and other nearby areas. The amenities were excellent, including quarter-operated hot showers and laundry, restrooms, Wi-Fi, full hookups, and a clubhouse with coffee + tea, kitchen access, and a great workspace. Our site had a beautiful view and was right next to a ranch where cows would come right up to the fence. The communal fire pit was a nice touch, and the private, fenced-in setting made us feel safe and comfortable. They also offer glamping tents and casitas on the property. Highly recommend!

This park is very well-kept and the views are amazing. Most sites are huge (center sites alittle close together) and they offer full hookup, pull thru, and back-in sites. There are trees for shade. Owners are onsite and extremely friendly and professional. There are modern, private restrooms with shower, toilet, and sink as well as a larger restroom with multiple stalls and private showers. There is a beautiful covered pavillion with great views, gas grills, gas fire pit, and picnic table that is available for anyone to use. They have glamping tents, laundry, and propane onsite. Tons to do nearby including the reservoir, Mesa Verde, and much more. Delores (10 min) is a smaller town with nice dining and shops. Cortez (15 min) has all modern amenities including Walmart, chain stores, and grocery. Park is very quiet and friendly. Nearby gas and diesel available. Beautiful and top notch...they even rake the gravel sites between guests! Highly recommend! Our favorite campground to date!

This campground had so much to offer! Our original plan of camping in BLM land was foiled by the "elk and deer winter ranging" blocking off the majority of the dispersed camping areas around Mesa Verde National Park, but we were luckily able to land a spot at this amazing place! It may be lacking some cover, but it makes up for it in the large covered patio area that is packed with entertainment! They have foosball table, cornhole boards and ping pong to name a few! The kitchen was super handy so we didn't have to tap into our water tank for dishes. Owners were working hard on site to get the teepees up for the season and they were so friendly! A peaceful area that is just a quick drive from the park! All the main amenities were connected by concrete pathways that are lit by solar lights at night and you can tell they are continuously working and adding things to better the experience for future campers. They also have bunk cabins, teepees, sites with cover and I think we saw a yurt coming in. All in all, it was probably our favorite last minute campsite booking!

This campground will always have a special place in my memories as my first camping trip in Colorado. Unfortunately being new to the state I was woefully unprepared for how cold and wet Memorial Day weekend camp trips in Colorado can be. However, the proximity to Durango meant that after a cold first night I could run into town and buy all the gear I should have thought to bring with me in the first place. The campground was relaxing and enjoyable and the lake was beautiful with the post rain fog rolling in off the surrounding hills. May was still too cold to go into the water but I am looking forward to going back this July.

We did 4 campgrounds during our trip in Colorado this summer. This one was the best: very clean, warm welcome, not that expensive… The Durango & Silverton train passes through the camp, it’s so fun. And you can the free trolley to go downtown Durango, very convenient. Thank you !

Mancos State Park is a convenient stop in SW Colorado just outside Mesa Verde NP. Dry campsites, some only small trailer or truck camper size. Plenty of room for tents in each site. Lake was very low for this time of year but scenic. Easy access from the LITTLE town of Mancos.

Great campground in SW Colorado. The owners Matt and his wife run a beautiful operation. An RV park with class. Sites are huge with lots of shade, bathrooms immaculate, and a nice mile hiking path. Views are good from most lots

Easily one of my favorite sites I have stayed at in Colorado! It is an incredible set up for tent camping. The pads are well manicured with very fine rock and very level. The bathrooms and laundry facility are A+, they are located right next to the tent sites. You will be hard pressed to find a more peaceful campground, I can’t wait to be back!

We had to overnight in Durango area for one night, on our way from Colorado to Arizona. The campground is clean, quiet, gorgeous, it is close to the highway though, we had a gorgeous spot with a view (so worth it). It has a pool, laundry, even a breakfast spot that is open on certain hours, times of the day. We did not get to experience it. You’re only 7 miles away (east) from Durango, which is a very amazing, cute small (walkable) city!