Camping and Cabins near Durango.
There are many camping opportunities on the San Juan National Forest. We offer developed campgrounds and more isolated dispersed camping areas. With some pre-planning you can find a perfect spot for you and your family. While electric, sewer, water hook-ups and showers are not always available; most campgrounds have potable water, picnic tables, fire rings and vault toilets.
Campground reservations may be made at some sites through Recreation.gov by phone at 877-444-6777 or online at www.recreation.gov. Where available, reservations are recommended for holiday weekends.
Campsites that have been paid for in advance will be posted as "Reserved." Only a portion of a given campground's sites can be reserved each day, with the remainder available for first-come, first-served use.
San Juan National Forest campgrounds are operated by the Rocky Mountain Recreation Company.
San Juan Public Lands Campgrounds
San Juan Public Lands cover 2.5 million acres of National Forest and BLM lands in southwestern Colorado. The scenery ranges from desert mesas and canyons to alpine peaks and meadows. The area features two scenic byways - the San Juan Skyway and Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway. The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management manage about three dozen campgrounds in this area.
San Juan campgrounds offer a wide variety of experiences - from primitive tent camping to RV sites with electricity. Campgrounds open when sites are snow free, with most in full operation from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Some campgrounds stay open longer with reduced services and fees. The more popular campgrounds - which tend to be near larger lakes,
major highways, and communities - are often full on summer weekends and holidays. Campgrounds are intended to be temporary sites for vacationers, with a time limit on stays, varying from 14 to 30 days. Individual campsites can accommodate up to eight people and two vehicles. Some allow you to pay extra for an additional vehicle. Group campsites vary in how many people they can accommodate, as do group picnic sites. Check with on-site campground hosts or San Juan offices for more information. Some campgrounds offer campfire programs in summer.
FACILITIES
Most San Juan Public Lands campground and picnic sites have tables and fire grates, with centrally located toilets. Some offer a more primitive experience, while others have modern conveniences. Most campground roads and parking areas are gravel; a few are paved. Most, but not all, offer drinking water. At some, you must remove your own trash; others offer trash service or sanitary dumping stations.
A few campgrounds provide showers and electrical hookups for recreational vehicles. Many offer universally accessible (barrier-free) picnic tables, fire grates and restrooms. Pets are welcome but must be on leash. Fee campgrounds have campground hosts on site or self-serve registration and fee-payment stations near entrances, where regulations and information are posted. Prices range from $8 - $24 for individual sites (double sites cost more), and $30 - $175 for group sites. Campgrounds are run by private concessionaires under permit.
SENIOR AND ACCESS PASSES
Holders of America the Beautiful Senior Passes (for U.S. residents over 62) and Access Passes (for those with a permanent disability) receive discounts on USFS/BLM camping fees. Passes are good for life and also give access to National Parks and USFS/BLM areas that charge an entrance fee. America the Beautiful Annual Passes (for all U.S. residents) are good for entrance into all National Parks and FS/BLM areas that charge a fee, but do not cover camping fees at USFS or BLM campgrounds.
RESERVATIONS
Advance reservations are available at the Florida Group, Chris Park Group, House Creek, House Creek Group, McPhee, and McPhee Group campgrounds, and the Junction Creek Day-use Area through the National Recreation Reservation System. Reservations can be made up to 240 days in advance for individual sites, and up to 360 days in advance for group sites. You may pay by credit card over the phone or on-line. In addition to a camping fee, a non-refundable reservation fee is charged. Changes, no-shows and cancellations are subject to service fees. To book reservations, call toll-free 877-444-6777; TDD 877-833-6777, or go to www.recreation.gov. For customer service, call 888-448-1474. On the west side of the San Juan Public Lands, Transfer, Target Tree, Mavreeso, and Blanco campgrounds also offer advance reservations for campsites and picnic sites through local reservation services. For these facilities, call the Dolores Public Lands Office, 970-882-7296, for information.
