Camping near Dolores, Colorado with wildlife watching
Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.
- Dolores
95% (6816 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Dolores
Under $50
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12 top campgrounds near Dolores with wildlife watching
100%
(14)
Lavender Farm Stay
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Dolores, Montezuma
Welcome to Mesa Verde Lavender! We are a working lavender farm with 800+ lavender plants, a flower garden, vegetables, and a small orchard. Hike in the canyon that splits our property, roam with the birds in our pastures, pick some fruit if in-season, or sit and enjoy wildlife, sounds of the creek, and views of the La Plata Mountains, Sleeping Ute Mountain, and Mesa Verde. Our 50 acres is situated in Southwest Colorado between Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores. 5 minutes to Phil’s World for mountain biking, 1 hour to Durango, and 2 hours to Telluride.
A farm tour is included with your stay.
Come adventure, smell the flowers (literally!), and enjoy feeling of these ancient healing lands!
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$25
/ night
98%
(65)
RV sites
3 sites · RVs9 acres · Dolores, Montezuma
Learn more about this land:
View of mts off of paved highway access. Within minutes to national forest, lakes and rivers. Enjoy fishing, biking, hunting, ohv riding also hiking and climbing within minutes of sites.
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$33
/ night
99%
(531)
Bright Star Campground
32 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, Montezuma
We have COMPLIMENTARY Wifi, Drinking Water, Ice, Hot Showers, Bathrooms, Shade, and an equipped Camper's Kitchen for our guests to enjoy from April 15 - Oct 15!
There are TIPIS, CAMPING CABINS, TENT and BOONDOCK SITES. WE ALSO HAVE A NAVAJO HOGAN (wood yurt) OPEN-YEAR ROUND. All of our sites are not listed here. We can also accommodate groups and small events but not public events. We have a private covered group site as well.
Bright Star Campground: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy!
We are a perfectly located vacation campground on 40 acres with amenities and wide-open spaces. Amenities include hot showers, an equipped community kitchen, a pavilion with hammocks, tables, ping pong, etc. Enjoy complimentary coffee, eggs, filtered drinking water and more.
Bright Star Campground is located in the Great Sage Plain in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park with panoramic mountain/mesa views of the Four Corners region, all only 5 miles southeast of Cortez.
We are in an arid desert climate. Water is scarce, stored in cisterns for use in camp. Because of this we ask that you be conservative with water use in camp.
We are a cannabis-friendly destination but ask that Cannabis use stay at your campsite, cabin or tipi.
There are many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Raft down the Dolores river, maybe rent a SUP or kayak and chill on a quiet reservoir. There are museums and cultural centers in the area as well.
Durango is 45 min, Telluride is 1.5 hrs away, and Moab is about 2.5 hours away-including Arches and Canyonlands National parks.
The best/nearest airport is in Durango. Cortez has Denver Air (Key Lime Air) with connections to Denver and Phoenix. The nearest large international airport is in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
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$35
/ night
100%
(5)
M and V's Mountain Paradise
1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Dolores, Montezuma
We have 1 1/2 acres, with one acre fenced in for dogs, Full RV hookups (30/50, water and sewer) We are 14 miles from the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park. Close State and County Parks too numerous to count! Hike, Bike, Run, Ski, Raft, Etc...We have it all. Amenites: VIEWS, clean air, a zillion stars, and Serenity! Durango 36 miles Telluride 48 Silverton 48.
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$50
/ night
100%
(5)
Cottonwoods
1 site · RV5 acres · Dolores, Montezuma
Learn more about this land: High desert solitude - you got it - rented as the only spot available at Mesa Verde Hemp - a five acre working hemp farm. The farm is on Highway 145 so you will hear traffic during the day but very quiet at night. Fantastic stars at night. One dog is ok - before 10 am and after 6 your dog can run the whole farm - if he is friendly. I have a small dog that gets along fine with other dogs.
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$29
/ night
95%
(198)
Camping in the Mesas
8 sites · Lodging, Tents15 acres · Dolores, Montezuma
This land was inhabited by the Ancient Anasazi and Pueblo people. The Anasazi Heritage Museum and archeological ruins are two miles away. There are ruins and sites on this land that have yet to be excavated. Many different ancient people came through this land, left and sites were inhabited by other people. One group of people would come and build upon the sites of another group, and taking part of their culture with them.
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$31.50
/ night
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(85)
Canyon Trails Ranch
18 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents250 acres · Cortez, Montezuma
The homestead was built in 1911 and was one of the original postal pickups in the area. The ranch is located between Mesa Verde National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and backs up to Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. Our family has lived in McElmo Canyon for over 40 years and the campground has hosted camping and outdoor educational groups since 1965. We are a family run ranch with an operating hay farm, horseback riding business, and carriage shop.
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$45
/ night
100%
(13)
Zuma Bike Ranch
8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, Montezuma
Zuma Bike Ranch invites you to ride.relax.repeat in the high desert of Southwest Colorado. Surround yourself with views of Mesa Verde National Park, Sleeping Ute and the San Juan mountains straight from your tent or camper van. Our goal is to encourage community among campers and bikers and connection with the land and its rich history. Zuma Bike Ranch resides on native lands of Puebloan and Ute peoples.
At Zuma Bike Ranch, you will find purpose-built trails and mountain bike skills areas. We provide professional mountain bike instruction and guided rides for individuals and groups. You have immediate access to over 50 miles of world class singletrack at Phil’s World trail network. More mountain bike trails can be found nearby at the Aquaduct trail system in Mancos, Boggy Draw in Dolores and Sand Canyon at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. In less than an hour you can be riding high alpine terrain with access to the Colorado Trail. We’re 45 minutes from Durango and 120 minutes from Moab, UT.
We keep things simple at Zuma Bike Ranch. This is to minimize impact on the land and our environment. Each camp site can accommodate two vehicles and two tents. We have a nice sun shower, potable water source, and porta potty on site. There are no lights but there are plenty of stars! Please pack out what you pack in.
Visit our website for questions or to book a group or private lesson.
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$40
/ night
99%
(46)
Mountain View Glamping Getaway
2 sites · Lodging3 acres · Dolores, Montezuma
Our family has loved living on this property for almost 23 years now!
Some of the things we appreciate about this land are the beautiful mountain views, the quiet peaceful setting, and the close proximity to all the things we love to do in the outdoors like lakes, rivers, hiking, fishing, camping, skiing...not to forget Mesa Verde National Park, Four Corners Monument, Mancos State Park, Durango, Telluride, and Cortez.
Learn more about this land:
Our Mountain View Glamping Getaway is the perfect place for anyone looking for stunning mountain views, a comfortable bed, a quiet county setting, and some "fancy camping." This place serves as a great basecamp for all sorts of fun with Mesa Verde National Park, the Four Corners National Monument, Durango, and Telluride all not far away!
This cozy getaway comes with all the essentials like a big comfy bed, interior and exterior solar lighting, indoor table and chairs, games, nightstand, storage areas for your things, dresser/washing station, hand towels, outdoor seating, outdoor picnic table, outdoor shower, and a fan. If you need more than one bed's worth of campers, no worries! We also have two cots, sleeping bags, and pillows stored under the bed for you to set up and use indoors or even outdoors for sleeping under the stars! It's a comfy connection to living life outdoors where nature still happens, so enjoy a few bugs, the sounds of critters from cows to coyotes, or waking up to a deer in your front yard. If you don't opt to go outside, the tent may chase you there as it heats up in the middle of hot days then welcomes you back for the cool evenings and overnight. While there's no indoor plumbing, you'll have to go meet "John," our clean but simple porta-potty a short walk away (50 feet) across the pasture and past the large garden. Right next to that is the new shower with hot water available to our glampers!
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$70
/ night
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(27)
Dry RV site w/ Views of Mesa Verde
1 site · RV7 acres · Mancos, Montezuma
Learn more about this land:
**You MUST have your own self contained RV with a restroom!! Sorry, NO TENTS! Please include a description of your RV setup in your booking request!**
Nestled on seven acres of former ranch land, and enjoy a relatively level RV site (pull in or back in) with views of Mesa Verde, the La Plata Mountains, and the shade of mature juniper trees. Feel far from everything while only a few miles from town. Enjoy the starry skies, the company of wandering mule deer, and the sound of coyotes conversing with one another. At 7,000' above sea level, in the high desert of SW Colorado, we get over 250 sunny days a year, big beautiful snows in winter (and sometimes as late as June), and monsoon rains in late summer. Spring can be cool and windy, but you'll experience the reawakening of the plants, the lowing of mother cows and their calves on nearby ranches, and maybe even a blooming prickly pear or two!
In the heart of the Mancos River Valley, you'll find yourself at the perfect basecamp for all that the area has to offer! It's just 15 minutes to the entrance gate at Mesa Verde National Park, designated in April of 2021 as the 100th Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association.
Take a scenic two mile drive to historic Downtown Mancos, to find art, dining, and fun. Historic Mancos, known for its thriving creative district, is the home of the The Raven House Gallery, The Artisans of Mancos Co-op, The Painted Turtle Gallery, Bombdiggity, and Kilgore American Indian Art.
Downtown Mancos is also home to dining options from local food trucks to fine dining. Fenceline Cidery and their delightful riverside cider garden host a variety of local food trucks on a rotating basis as well as their own Fencepost food truck. Family friendly eats are always on the menu at the Columbine Bar & Grill. Deco Dessert, offers something for your sweet tooth with homemade ice cream, artisan chocolates, and cakes. Just across Hwy 160, you can enjoy craft beer, delicious locally sourced food, and a variety of fun events, including live local music, weekly trivia with our local librarian, and karaoke twice a month on the expansive patio at Mancos Brewing Company. The long anticipated, Boathouse on Grand will open in Summer 2023 with fine dining fare. We even have a little bit of nightlife at the newly opened El Rio Cantina, featuring creative tequila cocktails.
Other downtown offerings include locally roasted coffee at Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters, and an incredible variety of baked goods and delightful breakfast and lunch options at the renowned Absolute Bakery and Cafe. Grab take out and sit at a picnic table by the Mancos River or in the park across the street or enjoy their dining area featuring local art. Be sure to also check out local artists' work in the art vending machines at Fahrenheit Coffee Roasters and Fenceline Cider!
Beyond downtown, you'll find easy access to Mancos State Park, mountain biking at Phil's World, Chutes and Ladders, Aqueduct, and the Boggy Draw trail systems, paddling at Summit Lake, paddling and boating at McPhee Reservoir, the 88 mile Canyon of the Ancients Scenic Drive, and miles of hiking and off-roading trails in the San Juan National Forest. Or head just 40 minutes into Durango for a ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a run on the rapids of the Animas River, or a powder day at Purgatory (resort an hour from the site).
If you want to venture further afield, Telluride, Moab, Monument Valley, and Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are all within 2.5 hours. Or take a drive along the San Juan Skyway scenic byway to see the best of Colorado's Western Slope including Silverton and Ouray.
Your hosts are avid outdoor enthusiasts who can give you the details (and loan you some maps and guidebooks) on all of the great things that await you at our little slice of southwest Colorado!
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$25
/ night
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(37)
MSB Legacy Retreat
4 sites · RVs9 acres · Mancos, Montezuma
We have 9 acres with plenty of elbow room. Located 5 minutes from Mancos, right off CO 184, there is one site in the trees with full hookups and 2 sites on top perfect for group camping. Sites on top have a beautiful view of Mesa Verde to the west and the La Plata mountains to the east. Both sites have water and electricity and sewer dump nearby. The area is full of history, from Mesa Verde National Park to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. 3 ski areas within an hour, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, stargazing or just enjoying the sunsets. With Mancos only 5 minutes away, there are dining options, brewery, parks, library, and shopping all with a small, hometown feel. Come enjoy all the 4 Corners area has to offer!
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$30
/ night
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(7)
Sage Canyon
2 sites · Lodging39 acres · Towaoc, Montezuma
Stay on the flank of Sleeping Ute Mountain in historic McElmo Canyon just 40 minutes from Mesa Verde and 20 minutes from the town of Cortez. Featured in Better Homes 2012, the Cliff House is built right into the red rock cliff wall of a private red rock canyon alcove with comfortable amenities, internet, nearby petroglyphs and sweeping views down canyon. A perfect place to base yourself for your next creative endeavor or for rejuvenating and exploring in the wilds of the four corners.
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$270
/ night
Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in Dolores
Camping near Dolores with wildlife watching guide
Welcome to Hipcamp! If you're looking for the perfect camping experience near Dolores, Colorado, with a focus on wildlife watching, you're in luck. We have over 780 options that cater to your specific preferences. From serene forests to stunning mountains, our campsites offer the perfect backdrop for spotting wildlife. With options starting as low as $15 per night and an average price of $42 per night, you're sure to find something that fits your budget. Check out our top campsites, like The Needles Outpost Campground (811 reviews), The Views at Gateway (243 reviews), and Bright Star Campground (211 reviews), all highly rated by our campers. Amenities such as toilets, potable water, and trash services are popular, and you can also enjoy activities like climbing, biking, and wind sports. So grab your binoculars and get ready to embark on an unforgettable wildlife-watching adventure!
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