Durango is a beautiful, bustling mountain town tucked away near the Four Corners, with ample reasons to visit and camp nearby. This southwest community of 20,000 is surrounded by forests and mountains. The warmer days of spring, summer, and fall attract campers to enjoy the unique sights around Durango and Bayfield.
Many of the nearby campgrounds are managed by the San Juan National Forest, which holds a treasure trove of recreation. There are also several RV parks close to town. Most campers should find what they are looking for here in La Plata County.
List of campgrounds near Durango and Bayfield, CO, in order of proximity:
Camping near Durango, Hermosa, and Hesperus
Both tent campers and RVs will find suitable campgrounds relatively close to town. You can also venture further out of town to get into nature even further. The town of Durango features a significant downtown stretch with plenty of cool sights and sounds.
United Campground Durango
Not looking to stray too far from the historic town of Durango? The United Campgrounds of Durango is a spacious RV and tent campground featuring tons of amenities, like a game room and heated pool, to keep the whole family entertained while visiting the Western Slope.
- Closest Town: Durango (4mi), Hermosa (7mi)
- Specs: 100+ pull-thru and back-in sites w/ full hookups, 90+ tent camping sites
- Amenities: Bathhouse, laundry, game room, heated pool, WiFi, the closest campground to the city of Durango
- Reservations: Yes, call 970-247-3853
- Address: 1322 Animas View Dr, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Alpen Rose RV Park
RVers who want to absorb everything that both Durango and Hermosa have to offer gush about Alpen Rose RV Park. In addition to fabulous amenities like a swimming pool and onsite dog walking service, this park is also quite close to both Hermosa and Durango to help you enjoy area attractions.
- Closest Town: Hermosa (5mi), Durango (6mi)
- Specs: 100 full-hookup RV sites, great for big rigs
- Amenities: Bathhouse, swimming pool, WiFi, laundry room, dog wash, pet walking service
- Reservations: Yes, call (970) 247-5540
- Address: 27847 US-550, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Lightner Creek Campground and Cabins
A riverside camping experience always soothes the soul, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Lightner Creek Campground. With cabins for those who want to be a bit cozier, this campground also features tons of amenities like a heated pool and a playground for the little ones.
- Closest Town: Durango (6mi), Hesperus (9mi)
- Specs: 97 RV and tent camping sites, many with river access and mountain views
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, heated swimming pool, laundry, playground, camp store, pet park, close to hiking trails and Durango attractions
- Reservations: Yes, call 970-247-5406
- Address: 1567 Co Rd 207, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Junction Creek Campground
Just six miles from Durango you will find Junction Creek Campground, one of the few Forest Service campgrounds in the area with electric hookups as well as two spacious group camping areas. You’ll never tire of the recreation opportunities at Junction Creek, like horseshoe and volleyball courts, fishing, and just a short drive to Durango and its myriad attractions.
- Closest Town: Durango (6mi)
- Specs: 44 RV and tent camping sites, 14 w/ electric hookups, and 2 group camping areas
- Amenities: Vault toilets, horseshoe and volleyball courts, fishing on Junction Creek, near Durango for area attractions
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: 1499 FDR 171, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Westerly RV Park
If you’re rolling down CO-160 with a large trailer or in a big rig RV, Westerly RV Park is a suitable stopping point for you. Their sites provide ample room for large rigs, all on a well-landscaped and gorgeous site that is quite close to the town of Hermosa for quick and easy resupply runs.
- Closest Town: Hermosa (2mi), Durango (8mi)
- Specs: 25 full hookup RV sites suitable for big rigs
- Amenities: Laundry, WiFi, firepits, picnic tables, dog run, close to area attractions
- Reservations: Yes, call (970) 247-1275
- Address: 6440 Co Rd 203, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Durango North/ Riverside KOA
You will almost never be disappointed when you arrive at a KOA, but Durango North’s Riverside KOA is a gem situated right on the Animas River, complete with an observation deck to watch the fast waters of the Animas pass you by. With a game room, swimming pool, playground, and movie center, you and the family will never be bored at this campground.
- Closest Town: Hermosa (4mi), Durango (14mi)
- Specs: 93 total sites, including full hookup RV sites, tent camping sites, and cabins
- Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, laundry, game room, swimming pool, playground, observation deck on the Animas River
- Reservations: Yes, at KOA.com
- Address: 13391 Co Rd 250, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Lower Hermosa Campground
Prefer to be a bit closer to nature? Lower Hermosa Campground, located close to the Hermosa Creek Trailhead, is a primitive campground with only 20 sites that fill up quickly during the summer season. If you love being beneath the trees, this is the campground for you.
- Closest Town: Hermosa (4mi), Durango (15mi)
- Specs: 20 primitive campsites
- Amenities: Vault toilet, picnic tables, fire grates, close to Hermosa Creek Trailhead
- Reservations: No, first come, first serve
- Address: Forest Rd 576, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Haviland Lake Campground
A luxurious spot along Haviland Lake is the Haviland Lake Campground, a Forest Service site that offers campsites with electrical hookups just off the lake. With easy access to Haviland Lake to fulfill all of your recreational needs, this campground fills up quickly, so be sure to reserve your spot.
- Closest Town: Hermosa (10mi), Durango (20mi)
- Specs: 43 total campsites, 15 w/ electric hookups
- Amenities: Vault toilet, drinking water, access to Haviland Lake for boating, fishing, and water recreation
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Haviland Lake Rd, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
La Plata City Campground
Free dispersed camping gets harder and harder to find each year, but not so near Durango. The La Plata City Campground, located just off of the La Plata River, is a dispersed camping gem that’s worth a visit. With easy access to hiking at Animas City Mountain as well as fishing on the river, you’ll never be bored at this campground.
- Closest Town: Hesperus (9mi), Durango (20mi)
- Specs: Primitive dispersed camping on the La Plata River, with no facilities
- Amenities: Mountain views, hiking, fishing on the La Plata River
- Reservations: No, first come, first serve
- Address: Co Rd 124, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Sig Creek Campground
Those who want to get away from the crowds and the tourists in downtown Durango will fall in love with the remote location of Sig Creek Campground. This site is also a gem for mountain bikers, as it is located close to one of the best mountain biking trails in the Western Slope.
- Closest Town: Hermosa (22mi), Durango (33mi)
- Specs: 9 primitive campsites close to Hermosa Creek
- Amenities: Vault toilet, drinking water, picnic tables, fire pits, mountain-biking trails, fishing
- Reservations: No, first come, first serve
- Address: Sig Creek Campground Rd, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Camping near Bayfield and Vallecito Reservoir
About 20 minutes east of Durango sits the sleepy, rural town of Bayfield. There are a few amenities in town to get you by, but the main draw is Vallecito Lake, another 20 minutes from town. The village of Vallecito has a few restaurants of its own, plus plenty of camp opportunities.
Outdoorsy Bayfield
Can’t get enough of the gorgeous small town of Bayfield? Outdoorsy Bayfield might just be the place to hang your head in that case, as it not only features a plethora of campsites to accommodate RVers and campers, but it also offers easy access to Durango’s nearby attractions.
- Closest Town: Bayfield (>1mi)
- Specs: 100+ campsites including full hookup RV sites and tent campsites
- Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, cable TV, WiFi, laundry, access to trails and close to Bayfield for area attractions
- Reservations: Yes, call 888-884-2475
- Address: 41743 US-160, Bayfield, CO 81122 (Map)
Miller Creek Campground
Located just off of Miller Creek, this gorgeous campground is in close range to all 3 tourist towns in the area–Vallectio Reservoir, Bayfield, and Durango. Although this campground is small and not equipped for long stays, its gorgeous location keeps it well-used.
- Closest Town: Vallecito (10mi), Bayfield (16mi), Durango (18mi)
- Specs: 12 primitive campsites for RV and tent camping
- Amenities: 3 vault toilets, drinking water, fire pits, access to creek for boating and fishing
- Reservations: No, first come, first serve
- Address: Co Rd 243, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Pine Point Campground
If you’d like to stay as close as possible to Vallecito and the reservoir, Pine Point Campground would be a great option for your stay. Because this campground’s sites are quite small, it wouldn’t be appropriate for larger trailers and RVs.
- Closest Town: Vallecito (4mi), Bayfield (18mi)
- Specs: 30 campsites suitable for small trailers and RVs
- Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, fire pits and picnic tables, access to water for boating on Vallecito Reservoir
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Forest Rd 603, Bayfield, CO 81122 (Map)
Blue Spruce RV Park and Cabins
Need all the amenities of home while you enjoy the gorgeous Western Slope area? The Blue Spruce RV Park more than delivers in this aspect, with not only full amenities like WiFi and hot showers, but also featuring a game room as well as horseshoe and basketball courts to keep you entertained.
- Closest Town: Vallecito (8mi), Bayfield (21mi)
- Specs: 100+ sites w/ full hookups for RV and tent camping, cabin and apartment rentals available
- Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, WiFi, playground, laundry, game room, horseshoe and basketball courts
- Reservations: Yes, at BlueSpruceRVPark.com
- Address: 1875 Co Rd 500, Bayfield, CO 81122 (Map)
Vallecito Campground
Vallectio Reservoir is a gorgeous spot to camp for a few nights, and Vallecito Campground offers easy access to this gorgeous lake. While there is fishing allowed on the reservoir, there are regulations in place to stop overfishing from happening, so check the posted rules before partaking in fishing and fly fishing.
- Closest Town: Vallecito (9mi), Bayfield (22mi)
- Specs: 80 shaded and level campsites (3 w/ electric hookups) on Vallecito Reservoir
- Amenities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, fishing on reservoir (note rules), horseback riding (no overnight horse camping)
- Reservations: Yes, at Recreation.gov
- Address: Co Rd 500, Bayfield, CO 81122 (Map)
Middle Mountain Campground
Want a great view of the mountains? Middle Mountain Campground is aptly named, and this campground also comes along with some good-sized sites that will fit larger trailers and RVs. With easy access to the reservoir for water recreation, you’ll want to stay in this Ponderosa pine paradise forever.
- Closest Town: Vallecito (9mi), Bayfield (22mi)
- Specs: 24 campsites, some w/ space for large RVs
- Amenities: Vault toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, fire pits (gather your own wood), access to Vallecito Reservoir for recreation
- Reservations: No, first come, first serve
- Address: San Juan National Forest, Forest Rd 603, Bayfield, CO 81122 (Map)
- Directions: From Bayfield, take Co Rd 501 north for 22 miles, then take a slight right onto Co Rd 501/Forest Rd 603. Take another slight right, then continue for a third of a mile–the campground will be on the right.
Transfer Park Campground
If you want to get away from it all and escape to the mountains, Transfer Park Campground is about as far as you can drive without needing to break out the backpacking equipment to find solace. Although this campground isn’t equipped with luxurious amenities, its location more than makes up for its primitive accommodations.
- Closest Town: Vallecito (15mi), Durango (23mi)
- Specs: 25 campsites w/ 2 larger sites on the lower loop for large RVs and trailers
- Amenities: Vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water in season
- Reservations: No, first come, first serve
- Address: Forest Rd 596, Durango, CO 81301 (Map)
Consider Pagosa Springs, Cortez or Silverton
One hour to the east of Durango is Pagosa Springs. It sits in a valley to the west of Wolf Creek Pass. There are many places to camp near Pagosa Springs, including dispersed camping. The town of Pagosa is a hot springs mecca so relaxation is waiting.
Between Cortez and Mancos sits Mesa Verde Country. You can reach this monumental park and its own campground in about forty minutes from Durango. There are plenty of places to camp near Mesa Verde, with the southwestern towns of Cortez and Mancos offering charming bases.
One hour north of Durango is Silverton, its sister train town. The much smaller but more alpine town of Silverton is right in the heart of the San Juans. Camping can be found in all directions, including back along Highway 550, which connects to the north with Ouray, and south to Durango.
That’s a roundup of the best camping near Durango and Bayfield, Colorado. Enjoy your time in the Great Outdoors of La Plata County.
Hiking into the Black Canyon of the Gunnison: The Gunnison Route