Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort southwest of Mancos serves as a convenient base for exploring the area near Bloomfield, New Mexico. Located approximately 100 miles from Bloomfield, the resort sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet in the San Juan Mountains. Winter temperatures average 20-40°F while summer daytime temperatures typically reach 75-85°F with cooler nights.
What to do
Trail riding access: Target Tree Campground provides direct access to multiple mountain trails. "All kinds of activities are nearby. Spectacular Colorado mountains and scenery. Silverton and the Million Dollar Highway are nearby if you dare. Fishing everywhere, hiking trails, wildlife, and cool weather," notes camper Dave.
Wildlife viewing: The Cherry Creek area offers excellent opportunities for wildlife observation. "Beautiful place! It's pretty easy to get into, there are more secluded places up the hill a ways but it gets kinda rough. You can hear the highway, but it's not much. Just ambient background noise," reports taren C., who also enjoyed spotting local fauna.
Local events: Visit during scheduled events at the fairgrounds for additional entertainment options. "Great for the price to spend a few days in durango or take the scenic train. Angela at the office is great!" explains mark F. about staying at the La Plata County Fairgrounds.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers consistently praise the generous spacing between sites. "Great campground for larger RV's we have a 40 ft toy hauler plus the added ramp patio plenty of room. Park is very clean and quiet plus pet friendly. Lots of large Ponderosa pine for shade and scenery," writes Bill about Echo Basin Cabin and RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Many reviews highlight the well-maintained grounds and facilities. "Host B is in his 2nd yr here and is a peach of a guy. All campsites are carefully raked and put in good shape - no ashes left in rings. Host sells .75 sq ft of firewood for $7/bundle or 3 for $20. Good water hauled in from Durango and available at numerous spigots thruout camp," notes ED K. about his stay at Target Tree.
Pet-friendly options: Dog owners appreciate designated areas for their pets. "This place has everything: a massive field for dogs to play off-leash (they must be on in the park), a great restaurant, laundry, propane, a swimming pool, and a massive amount of outdoor activities," shares Soren B. about Echo Basin.
What you should know
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "Road noise is not awesome. Try to get the sites furthest back," advises J.B. about Target Tree Campground, while also noting that "pit toilets were clean, potable water spigots everywhere, whole camp is clean and well kept by the camp host."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "Only free place near Durango in the winter. We called and asked the BLM & Forest Service. Easy access, lots of space. Bumpy access road and highway noise," reports Nicole V. about Cherry Creek Gravel Lot.
Tent pad surfaces: Some campgrounds have specific tent pad materials. "IF you are tent camping, the tent pads are chipped rock, not round gravel. Bring an extra tarp or two to protect your tent footprint," warns J.B. about their Target Tree experience.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Multiple activities keep children engaged. "This place is the best, we had a blast and there are plenty of things to do for adults and children," reports Ethan C. about his family's stay at Echo Basin.
Safety considerations: Solo travelers note the secure environment. "As a solo older female car/tent camping this place is great. I've never felt safer sleeping in my tent. Everything was nice and clean and I ate at the restaurant my 1st night. Good food and drinks," shares Rebecca R. about Echo Basin Ranch.
Site selection for noise reduction: Families should select sites strategically. "Beautiful well spaced sites with plenty of room to spread out. Sparkling clean bathrooms. Road noise but it's not so bad at night. Great camp host. Firewood and water. Lots of hiking nearby," advises Lauren about Target Tree Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Water connections may require planning. "Water and electric but my need 50' hose as water shared with other sites. Gravel lot near stadium for Rodri events. Can be mucky if it rains," warns Dallas W. about La Plata County Fairgrounds.
Access road challenges: Some dispersed camping areas have difficult terrain. "Getting up there was not possible in my Travato (in my opinion). I've got some Falken Wildpeaks so traction was not so much the issue as the uneven path up," reports Adam S. about Cherry Creek Gravel Lot.
Urban convenience: In-town options provide easy access to amenities. "What a find in the middle of Durango. Yes it is dusty and really there is nothing cute about it but you can't beat the location. We had access to the trails by the river. There are only 6 spots with water and 30 or 50 amp electric," explains marine J. about La Plata County Fairgrounds.
