Sitting just off Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs, Ute Campground occupies a forested stretch of San Juan National Forest with Chimney Rock National Monument directly across the road. The sites are flat and spacious, set back from the highway into the trees, with picnic tables and fire rings at each one. Campers looking at camping near Chimney Rock will find this among the closest options to the monument.
Cleanliness stands out consistently across reviews. The pit toilets draw repeated mention as well-maintained, and an attentive camp host keeps the facilities stocked. Sites are spread out enough to provide reasonable separation. That said, noise can be a factor: the campground sits close to the road, and at least one reviewer reported a neighboring RV running a generator through the night. Cell service is listed as available, though at least one recent visitor noted no signal at their site.
The campground runs from Memorial Day through November, with nightly rates starting at $22. Full hookups are available for RVs up to 40 feet, and tent-only sites exist in smaller numbers. Reservations are accepted and fill quickly on weekends, though midweek arrivals often find open sites on a first-come basis. Capote Campground lies less than a mile away for campers who want a nearby alternative. Ute works well as an overnight stop on a longer route or as a base for exploring the surrounding area, and those who want to browse places to camp around San Juan National Forest will find several options in the corridor.
Description
Overview
Ute Campground is located on US Hwy 160 across from Chimney Rock National Monument, 15 miles west of Pagosa Springs, 25 miles east of Bayfield, and 18 miles north of Arbolles, just west of the intersection with Colorado 151. Visitors enjoy quick access to Chimney Rock National Monument entrance and a centralized location to USFS trail systems, lake, and stream fishing.
Recreation
Ute Campground is the only access to Forest Service land on Haystack Mountain. Hiking views of Chimney Rock National Monument.
Facilities
The campground is shaded with Ponderosa Pines and offers easy access to Highway 160. Sites are spaciously placed and all feature natural areas adjacent to the campsites. 21 sites offer improved primitive camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and some with additional grills. There is a Group Area with a maximum for 32 people featuring a group picnic area and 2 fire rings. There is one potable water station under pressure and two pairs of vault toilets. Maximum stay is 28 days at first come-first serve sites. 12 days maximum stay on reservation sites. Pets allowed, leashing required. No horses or pack animals allowed in the park.
Natural Features
Ute campground, named for and sharing land with the Southern Ute Nation is located along reservation borders situated at the base of Haystack Mountain facing Chimney Rock National Monument. The terrain is a hilly forest enviroment of Ponderosa pines, Gamble Oak, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Fragrant Sumac and meadows.
Nearby Attractions
The entrance to Chimney Rock National Monument is only 4 miles away on Colorado 151. It is centrally located between Turkey Springs Trail System and the Devil Mountain - Mule Mountain - Horse Mountain Trail Systems, featuring trails specific to ATV, motorcycle, mountain bike, hiking, horseback riding, along with stream fishing and a natural hot spring on the Piedra River. The Southern Ute Reservation allows access to fishing on tribal land at Lake Capote and the Piedra River with fee permits.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Fee Info
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
- Starting July 30th, 2026, fire restrictions are changing for the San Juan National Forest. Zone 1 Fire Restrictions drop from Stage II to Stage I. Zone II Fire Restrictions drop from Stage II to no restrictions. View attached maps for Zone I and II details.Under Stage I Fire Restrictions in Zone 1, the following are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in: a. A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); b. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or c. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
- Using an explosive.
- Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site.
- Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator. Alert Start Date: July 30, 2026 Alert End Date: December 31, 2026 Order Number: 02-13-00-26-1
- Starting July 1, 2026 at 12:01am, Stage II Fire Prohibitions are in effect throughout the entire San Juan National Forest. The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands of the San Juan National Forest:
- Building,maintaining,attending,orusingafire,campfire,charcoalbarbecue,orgrill,except ifusingadevicesolelyfueledbyliquidorgasthatcanbeturnedonandoffinanareabarren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device.
- Smoking,exceptinanenclosedvehicleorbuilding.
- Weldingoroperatinganacetyleneorothertorchwithopenflame.
- Usinganexplosive. See forest order below for more detail. Alert Start Date: July 1, 2026 Alert End Date: December 31, 2026 Rec Sites Affected: Columbine Ranger DistrictPagosa Ranger DistrictDolores Ranger District Order Number: 02-13-00-26-10
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsUte Campground is located in Colorado near Chimney Rock
Directions
Directions from Pagosa Springs, CO: Travel west on U.S. Hwy 160 for 18.0 miles and campground is on north side of the highway.
Address
17351 W HWY 160
Bayfield, CO 81122
Coordinates
37.2154 N
107.2725 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/22/26
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 8/22/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 12/11/25
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 8/22/26
- VerizonPossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 8/22/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 12/11/25
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 24 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 51 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 3 hrs 40 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 4 hrs 45 min from Grand Junction, CO




















