97% (36 reviews)
Hike through the rugged wilderness or take a scenic drive in this expansive national forest. Â
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Overview
About
Encompassing a 1.8-million-acre swathe of southwestern Colorado and home to four wilderness areas, San Juan National Forest offers ample opportunities to get out and play. Recreation options abound here, particularly in the summertime, when outdoor enthusiasts descend upon the area for climbing, fishing, hiking, water sports, and off-roading. The forest is also home to some pretty spectacular scenic drives, including the 232-mile San Juan Skyway. While the forest can be visited as a day trip from Durango, itâs worth spending the night at one of the developed campgrounds or primitive dispersed camping areas, most of which have vault toilets and fire rings.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for camping with your boat: Miller Creek Campground offers direct access to the Lemon Reservoir and has its own concrete boat ramp.
- Best for wilderness hikers: Vallecito Campground is situated at the entrance to the Vallecito Trail, which leads out into the Weminuche Wilderness.
- Best for off-roaders: Williams Creek Campground offers easy access to a number of area all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Many of the campsites in the San Juan National Forest can be reserved in advance. Individual sites are released at 8am Mountain Time, six months in advance, while group sites go live 12 months in advance. If you're trying to book a cabin or popular spot, be ready to book online right when it becomes available.
- To get a first-come, first-served spot, choose a harder-to-reach campground to increase your chances, particularly on summer weekends.
- If you have a flexible schedule, try to arrive mid-week when campgrounds are less crowded.
When to go
You are best off visiting the San Juan National Forest from late-spring or summer, when the weather is at its warmest and much of the area's winter snowpack has melted. Many people do come to the area for winter recreation, and while the forest offers some spectacular opportunities for sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling, conditions can be treacherous and may be difficult to navigate for all but the most experienced outdoors people.
Know before you go
- Cell service is not always reliable in the San Juan National Forest. Make sure to download offline maps or get paper maps before you set out.
- Dogs must remain leashed when in campgrounds and under voice command in backcountry areas. Never allow your pet to get near wildlife.
- Black bears live in the San Juan forest. For your protection and theirs, familiarize yourself with bear-safe protocols before heading out and make sure to store all food, cookware, and garbage in a hard-sided vehicle or in a bear-proof container.
- If youâre visiting in the winter, make sure to bring chains or snow tires.
97%
36 ratings ¡ 23 reviews
Recommends
¡ May 2025
Tent ¡ With pets ¡ Group trip ¡
West Dolores Campground
Very unplugged and remote, but not too far to get back into things. MANY mosquitos in the summer, so plan accordingly.
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Amanda S.
7 reviews
May 2023
Love camping and hiking at South Mineral!
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Kristy D.
2 years on Hipcamp
May 2021
Lovely little campground that has 2 small loops. The lower loop A can accommodate larger rigs down the center and has electric for them. The spots on the outer parameter of the loop are better for smaller units such as vans, tents and small travel trailers. Loop B is set up nicely for tents and smaller trailers but there is no electric for smaller units and the bathrooms are a little bit of a walk if your tent camping. The bathrooms are situated in the center of the campground grounds. Many spots are right on the river so if you have small children I would avoid during runoff times. We just camped there and the water was running to fast to fish or let the kids get near it. Beautiful little campground, clean, well maintained, easy to access.
Holly W.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ September 2020
Great campsite for exploring around the Pagosa Springs area. We spent two nights and it was about half full each night. Overall, quiet and clean and the other campers were respectful without much noise. Most had RVs (we were the only tent campers) so a bit of noise from generators/motors but nothing to complain about. Zero service available so great to disconnect and relax.
This is a great place to stay if you want to hike to Rainbow Hot Springs. The trailhead is a short drive (about 1.5 miles) from the driveway for the campground.
Cara H.
4 years on Hipcamp
December 2019
The campsites are close but not too bad as it has more of a forest vibe. I camped here in June 2016 and it was fairly quite considering the time of year and number of campsites. The lake was a cool walk and our pups loved the area!
Meghan N.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ October 2018
Brilliant hiking. What views..breath taking
Maggie S.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ September 2018
built-in equipment
Gantsetseg G.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ August 2018
Nice place, no hookups, at the end of the Colorado trail, no dump station but access to potable water
Michael C.
6 years on Hipcamp
May 2018
Loved this lakeside campground, camped here in october, no host, no bugs but lots of hunters. Lovely spot right on the lake, Hermosa is a hood place to shop for farm fresh goodies and the amazing million doller highway to Silverton makes for an awesome day trip.
Sally P.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ February 2018
This campsite was an absolute gem! Just off the highway, but tucked away enough to not hear any road noise and have complete peace. I planned to be there for 2 days and extended to 4. It was wonderful. Clean spots, also private spots. I felt comfortable changing in the openness of my spot because there were enough trees to deter any onlookers. Vault toilets and drinking water provided. Trash collection, as well! Which I loved, having been on the road for a week prior to this stay.
Dani G.
7 years on Hipcamp
October 2017
Too good to spread the word...I camped here in 1975...Take your breath away...Not just the almost 9,000 foot altitude. Absolutely beautiful late season.
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Michael H K.
7 years on Hipcamp
October 2017
Primitive, tent, and hookups available. Not expensive. Was able to get two sites next to each other: one the Grandpa site the other everybody else, what's that about??? đ¤ˇđ˝ââď¸
The hosts were great, my age 65. But alas new hosts this year haven't met them.
Remember, closed after Oct 15.
B
Bob W.
8 years on Hipcamp
September 2017
great place ! close to Silverton and the Alpine loop...
Marty E.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ August 2017
Take bug spray!
Sue M.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
¡ July 2017
Gorrrrrgeous river/hike. We car camped, literally no spots to setup a tent. Still worth itttt
Mioara D.
7 years on Hipcamp
November 2016
Wonderful campground! I have camped and backpacked at many places in Colorado, in the wilderness and at campsites. I can honestly say this is my favorite campsite in the region. Everything was close by (restrooms, trailheads, the river, water faucets, etc) the camp hosts are very nice and accommodating, if you've got any questions feel free to ask them. This is (to me) the most beautiful and awe-inspiring part of Colorado, and this campsite in right in the center of it all. Vallecito reservoir is just a 5 minute drive from the camp, and it offers fantastic fishing, stores, restaurants, etc. Weminuche Wilderness trail begins at the north side of the camp, I suggest a hike. I spent 2 weeks backpacking on that trail on a previous trip, amazing
Jacob G.
8 years on Hipcamp
August 2016
Camped here with my pup in tow - great access to fishable water, nestled in a forest of trees. Wasn't there for long, so didn't explore more up the road, but a great spot, I'm assuming, if I had more time. We did the campsite spot, so listened to a neighbor's generator until 10pm, and then at 8am sharp it started up again. Something to keep in mind, if you're not going backcountry, and want peace and quiet. :)
Ashlee N.
4 reviews
August 2016
Great campground. Nice and quiet. A few trails around the campground and lake that are easy in experience level. There are a lot of mosquitoes in the summer so bring plenty of spray or candles. Firewood bundles are available for purchase from the camp host. This campground is directly in between downtown Durango and Silverton. It's a great jumping off point for both cities, the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, and all other activities in the area.
Seamus O.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2016
This site is marked by closed according to the reservation site.
E
Eva P.
9 years on Hipcamp
October 2015
18 EarthRoamers and their owners camped near this location for a beautiful and relaxing day and evening. We were participating in the 11th Annual EarthRoamer Owners Rally.
Craig F.
9 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
We towed our 23' Airstream into Sig Creek in Aug 2015. We do a lot of boondocking in BLM & NF sites. The access road was no problem, but the campground itself was heavily rutted and overgrown. It looked like an abandoned NF campground. Several dispersed sites along the access road offered much nicer settings.
J
Joseph D.
9 years on Hipcamp
July 2015
Note that temperatures were regularly 10-15 degrees lower than Durango. Lots of free firewood to collect.
Mark S.
9 years on Hipcamp
July 2015
Cows often run through this camp, so be ready for morning Moos. Right side of road campsites are all near the river - can't go wrong with any of these. I say people 4 wheeling near river. Love this campsite, especially #4.
Mark S.
9 years on Hipcamp
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