Quiet location. If there is snow on the road, dispersed camping is not allowed. Price: $18 and up. When you leave, dismantle all structures including game poles. Do not cut, damage, or use nails or wire on live trees. Total National Forest Acreage: 22 million. If its warm, it can be a little uncomfortable, so bring some canopies. The road is a bit bumpy, but passable. There are two power lines that cross the road most of the sites we found ended at the ... All information is provided by the Forest Service - Columbine Ranger District Office. Why We Love It: … We were expecting ugly, torn up forests and were pleasantly surprised to find beautiful, healthy trees and grassy meadows. It was quiet and clean. Durango is a fabulous city in southwestern Colorado. It’s best to contact the individual agency for specifics. Dispersed camping in national forests is a great way to save money on your outdoor adventures. The application was unable to contact the server. South Mineral Campground is the last developed camping area along U.S. Highway 550 in the San Juan National Forest. The camping sites are either open with limited shade from Aspen and view of the reservoir or very shaded by Douglas fir. Camping on public lands away from developed recreation facilities is referred to as dispersed camping. There are shady sites along the La Plata River perfect for explorers and lots of space for your car or RV. We had lots of cow visitors but overall it was quiet. San Juan National Forest Snowslide campground is a playground of camping fun. I have previously written about national forest campgrounds, an affordable and enjoyable way to camp without the crowds and expense of commercial and national park campgrounds. Located on the side of a mountain, the sites are mostly level, with lots of space between you and your neighbors. Look at options in the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests in and around the Durango area. Cortez is about 20-30 minutes away. Dispersed camping is allowed within 300 feet of open forest roads. The U.S. Forest Service manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states (as well as Puerto Rico) across the United States, and in almost all of these, visitors are welcome to set up their camp outside of designated areas—provided camping is not expressly prohibited. As an example, here are the guidelines from Colorado’s San Juan National Forest. Look at options in the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests in and around the Durango area. We have a 30’ bumper pull that we had no problems getting up the road. There are 6,300 acres of public lands adjacent to Durango where you can pitch your tent for up to 14 days at a time. We also went to Mesa Verde national park. View from Eureka. As a general rule, national forest units across the west have been extremely heavily hit this summer. On this version of the map of the Pagosa Springs area, you can see that the town is surrounded by the San Juan National Forest. The San Juan National Forest also allows dispersed camping for 14 days. Please select a reason for flagging this item: © 2021 Campendium Inc. All rights reserved. Hiking can be limited to the road, although we went west out the spot, through the oak trees and brush, there’s a gas line! It was great exercise going up the hill... If you can get a site off the road the dust might not be as bad. Visitors enjoy the area for its excellent hiking and biking opportunities in a scenic natural setting. Located on the southern shore of the McPhee Reservoir, McPhee campground, with flush toilets, hot showers, a dump station, and some electric hook-ups, has the most modern facilities to be found in the San Juan National Forest. Fishermen cast flies along its route, angling for brown or rainbow trout, while kayakers and rafters bounce through its shallow rapids. The most comprehensive resource for discovering and booking unique outdoor stays including tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping. Forest service stopped by today to inform us that we had to leave because they were closing the gate for winter. Dispersed Camping – If you know where to look, you can find free dispersed camping within the San Juan N.F. See 7 traveler reviews, 17 photos and blog posts The trash (fee) transfer station is the building directly north of the San Juan Public Land Center at 790 Tech Center Dr. Durango, Co 81301. For operator hours and information call 970-259-2915. Originating high in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, the Conejos River travels about 95 miles before pouring into the Rio Grande. Visitors enjoy the area for its excellent hiking and biking opportunities in a scenic natural setting. This is another free dispersed camping area within the San Juan National Forest and there are usually eight campsites that are ready for campers. All The Hook Ups Arizona Arizona Winter Camping Bear Encounter Bog Springs Campground Campground Camping Coconino National Forest Colorado Coronado National Forest Dispersed Camping Durango Flagstaff Fool Hollow Lake Haviland Lake Low Elevation Madera Canyon Maiden Voyage Mimi & Poppy Mt. The U.S. Forest Service and Dispersed Camping . The sites are quite large. San Juan National Forest. Cell reception was great! We grabbed a site about 1.5 miles, before the first power lines, on the West side, big open spot, we are in a 37’ 5th wheel, turn south and reverse into a secluded spot, trees on 3 sides! This popular campground, 23 miles north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, offers both shaded and sunny campsites with some located creek-side. Lots of tent options around here that are smaller and hidden. No dispersed camping is allowed anywhere in Laguna Mtn Rec Area (see below for other locations to camp) Pine Creek Road and Noble Canyon Trail Pine Creek Wilderness and Hauser Wilderness Kitchen Creek Road (may encounter US Border Patrol) Check with the local Ranger District office to find designated areas. There are also a few others, but they are not as cleared out as the first eight. This area is a very RV friendly area with plenty of sites. I did drive up about a mile and a half past the 2nd (large) power line and found no sites so I turned around. From the sites you don’t get much of any views but at night the sky is beautiful. We visited Durango in October 2018 and stayed in our Airstream in... Big rig boondocking in the San Juan National Forest Not hard to get in but road was very dusty. Dispersed camping is allowed in Bureau of Land Management areas and national forests. 2. Sites are semi-primitive (there are toilets), and it’s a quick trip to nearby campgrounds to snag water. All of these public, forest lands offer dispersed camping, which can save your road trip should you require a last minute place to camp, and may just change the way you think about camping from now on. This is a really neat area on the side of a mountain. But there is still plenty of land for dispersed camping. The National Forest System and BLM allows dispersed camping anywhere within forest boundaries (as long as you abide by the do’s and don’ts!) Sunshine Campground. You can pass Dolores via the San Juan Skyway, a national scenic byway.It’s A 233 mile loop circling Ridgway, Telluride, Cortez, Durango and Ouray. The U.S. Forest Service manages 154 national forests and 20 grasslands in 44 states (as well as Puerto Rico) across the United States, and in almost all of these, visitors are welcome to set up their camp outside of designated areas—provided camping is not expressly prohibited. "Camping" means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure. Road is good for big r... San Juan National Forest Junction Creek Campground is located close to Durango, Colo., near the beginning of the Colorado Trail. Go up the mountains around the views are great. First come, first served. If there is snow on the road, dispersed camping is not allowed. Hiking can be limited to the road, although we went west out the spot, through the oak trees and brush, there’s a gas line! more. When using these primitive campsites, always use a preexisting campsite, as evidenced by a fire ring rock setup. more. Florida Campground is located near the north end of Lemon Reservoir, in southwestern Colorado. There are lots of spots that are spacious and spread out. The road is a bit bumpy, but passable. There are lots of spots that are spacious and spread out. Mesa Verde and Durango are 20ish miles in e... Some cars/trucks pass to go up the mountain area for great hiking and mountain biking and decent OVH. Alpine Loop Sign. We grabbed a site about 1.5 miles, before the first power lines, on the West side, big open spot, we are in a 37’ 5th wheel, turn south and reverse into a secluded spot, trees on 3 sides! ends a mile beyond the campground where a pack animal ramp and corral are provided. In the case of national forest land, contact the nearest Forest Service office. See 45 traveler reviews, 73 photos and 3 blog posts These web links give you a pretty good rundown. Aug 28, 2017 - Free dispersed camping in the Custer Gallatin National Forest's Beartooth Ranger District. We found a very nice tucked away site on the left side of the road at the 1st power line. We managed, and got a great spot close to the top. While the Animas River runs for miles in the San Juan National Forest, a beautiful (and accessible) stretch runs right through Silverton, CO. Thanks to a vast wilderness that enjoys federal designation, most of the public land in the national forests around the San Juan Mountains is available for dispersed camping, and there are numerous campsites that are ideal for staging an outdoor retreat. The road is a little bumpy, but we saw a number of class A’s in sites. … more. You’ll need skills too find your way back to the road! We enjoyed our stay here and will stay again when we are back in the area. It was quiet and clean. Most of the remainder of public lands are open to dispersed camping, as long as it does not conflict with other authorized uses or in areas posted "closed to camping," or in some way adversely affects wildlife species or natural resources. You can set up your tent away from a designated campground as long as you are in an area that allows dispersed camping. McPhee Recreation Area is a public lake with boating, fishing, camping and hiking in Dolores. Most of the sites are shaded by Ponderosa pine. We landed in Hesperus following a short scouting trip on a Sunday morning after spending a night at Mancos State Park. The U.S. Forest Service and Dispersed Camping . We stayed in August 2020 at a couple of spots on Madden Peak Road. Overview Q&A Cell Service; Reviews (8) … The forest service has a really great map to find land to camp on. Hike it North, be brav... There are 6,300 acres of public lands adjacent to Durango where you can pitch your tent for up to 14 days at a time. Sauls Creek Dispersed Camping British Petroleum has gas well leases in this section of the San Juan National Forest. Become a Campendium Supporter and enjoy ad-free browsing plus bonus features! Dispersed Camping. The locals seem to leave their rigs here during the week, so you may have to drive up a ways to find an open spot. McPhee Recreation Area is a public lake with boating, fishing, camping and hiking in Dolores. Cherry Creek Road is within the San Juan National Forest, but since it is right off the road, there is always a hum of cars in the background. Quiet location. West Fork San Juan River Dispersed Camping in San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Springs Colorado. There well may me some farther up. more. The Last Frontier is home to an Alaskan-sized portion of the national forestland in this nation, including the Tongass National Forest which–at nearly 17 million acres–is the largest single national forest all on its own, dwarfing entire other regions of the country. Dispersed camping is allowed in certain locations in national forests and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. This one is perfect. We kept an eye out for some neighbors to leave the one amazing spot that seems to be well known. This primitive campground offers amazing views year-round and sits between Silverton and Durango in the San Juan Mountains. Hello! Q&A - Ask the Community about Madden Peak Road Dispersed Camping, Reviews of Madden Peak Road Dispersed Camping, Written by someone with an affiliation to the property, Duplicate review submitted by the same member, Multiple reviews submitted by members of the same household, Reviewer did not actually visit the location, The Best RV Parks and Campgrounds in the Florida Keys, America's Top National Parks for RV Camping, The Mighty 5: All the Camping in Utah’s National Parks, The Top 15 States for RV Camping in National Forests, What You Need To Know About The New Camping Rules Near The Tetons, The Best State Park Campgrounds in Each State, Hesperus, CO – The Adventures of Liz & Jake. Other Don’t-Miss Recreation Opportunities But there is still plenty of land for dispersed camping. These web links give you a pretty good rundown. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. This area is a very RV friendly area with plenty of sites. Dispersed camping in national forests is a great way to save money on your outdoor adventures. The campground is one mile from Williams Reservoir, a popular fishing and kayaking spot. I really hate to give this one away, but this is a fantastic place to stay while in the Durango area. It has an amazing view wide open view and we were able to spend a few days there. Junction Creek Campground is located close to Durango, Colo., near the beginning of the Colorado Trail. Depending on how far you go up, will be how convenient it is to Mancos. It was great exercise going up the hill, so get yourself out there and work those legs and lungs! The National Forest Service had a rough summer with folks who did dispersed camping lighting illegal campfires, and leaving behind trash/human waste. Dispersed camping—camping on public lands outside of developed campsites—is ideal for both. This campground was essentially an access road with a handful of bear lockers and fire pits placed at wide spots in the road and a pit toilet at the very end. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, trail opportunities and scenic natural setting. Our first spot was a little uneven but fairly easy to access in our short skoolie. Alaska National Forests. The region includes 24 national forests and grasslands across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, and includes the San Juan National Forest. Free, dispersed camping on Beaver Meadows Road, San Juan National Forest Rd #135, east of Bayfield and north of U.S. Highway 160. When using these primitive campsites, always use a preexisting campsite, as evidenced by a fire ring rock setup. Improved campgrounds have been running full. See 16 traveler reviews, 17 photos and 1 blog post We have a 30’ bumper pull that we had no problems getting up the road. The network of roads all lead to gas wells but the wells are mostly hidden in the trees. While developed recreation sites are temporarily closed, dispersed camping, hiking and river uses are allowed, although discouraged. The San Juan National Forest is a large and remote area. Excellent place to be, close enough to Mesa Verde, 18 miles. Visit the US Forest Service website for more information on dispersed camping and maps of service roads. After that it’s for smaller setups and then it gets to trucks and keeps only. Where You Can Dispersed Camp. Any size rig can get back here. San Juan NF Road 599 allows free camping beginning in May. Go up the mountains around the views are great. This campsite does not use a reservation system. On this version of the map of the Pagosa Springs area, you can see that the town is surrounded by the San Juan National Forest. Sometimes camping is allowed in Wildlife Management areas and state forests. All dispersed campers should follow the ideals of Leave No Trace and practice the concept of Pack It … Spacious and quiet! See the Silverton Chamber of Commerce's website for the latest listings Not my favorite place but would come back for a few days. Free Dispersed camping in the San Juan National Forest's Mancos/Dolores Ranger District. I really hate to give this one away, but this is a fantastic place to stay while in the Durango area. Nice views of the mountain. It’s all off trail hiking! San Juan NF Road 599. Mesa Verde is about 10-15. Eureka This building was a water tank, then the firehouse, Thanks to a vast wilderness that enjoys federal designation, most of the public land in the national forests around the San Juan Mountains is available for dispersed camping, and there are numerous campsites that are ideal for staging an outdoor retreat. Dispersed camping is allowed within 300 feet of open forest roads. Not my favorite place but would come back for a few days. Two miles west of Silverton, Forest Road 585 heads west along the South Mineral Creek and is four miles from Highway 550. While there are more than 30 campgrounds spread around the San Juan National Forest, dispersed camping is another good option. more. The Cherry Creek Natural Area Trail is approximately five and a half miles long and it is an excellent hike for all skill levels. Be the first to add a video for Madden Peak Road Dispersed Camping! If your rig has good boondocking capability, there's an even less crowded - and even cheaper - alternative: dispersed camping in national forests. Several people were camped back here, but there were also plenty of open spaces. While there are more than 30 campgrounds spread around the San Juan National Forest, dispersed camping is another good option. San Juan National Forest. Some cars/trucks pass to go up the mountain area for great hiking and mountain biking and decent OVH. Old buildings from mining operations Alpine Loop / Rd. There are shady sites along the La Plata River perfect for explorers and lots of space for your car or RV. Dispersed camping is rugged and wild, with no picnic tables, drinking water, or toilets available. This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com, I was looking for a new free spot around Cortez, so scouted out a couple yesterday. Dispersed Camping – If you know where to look, you can find free dispersed camping within the San Juan N.F. Dispersed camping in National Forests is open at this time. Find a Free Campsite. Having endless miles of space to choose from can seem daunting, so it’s always good to start with a map and a call ahead to the nearest ranger station. The Last Frontier is home to an Alaskan-sized portion of the national forestland in this nation, including the Tongass National Forest which–at nearly 17 million acres–is the largest single national forest all on its own, dwarfing entire other regions of the country. In heavily used areas, dispersed campsites may be identified with signs and may have some facilities, such as in La Plata Canyon (12 miles west of Durango off Highway 160) and along South Mineral Road (2 miles north of Silverton toward Ouray, then left off Highway 550) Check with the local Ranger District office to find designated areas. Several people were camped back here, but there were also plenty of open spaces. The campground, along the shore of Haviland Lake, is composed of three loops with a few of the camping sites located on the lake. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, and scenic opportunities. Lots of shade if you choose, or great access to the sun for our solar. Total National Forest Acreage: 22 million. Lots of shade if you choose, or great access to the sun for our solar. With access to the Colorado Trail and views from Molas Pass, it's … "Camping equipment" means the personal property used in or suitable for camping, and includes any vehicle used for transportation and all equipment in possession of a person camping. Hike it North, be brave, down a steep hill, then animal trails will take you to the Mancos River! The locals seem to leave their rigs here during the week, so you may have to drive up a ways to find an open spot. Map of San Juan National Forest. Campendium is an Amazon associate site and earns from qualifying purchases. The campground offers single- and … Piedra Rd. Our first spot was a little uneven but fairly easy to access in our short skoolie. Mesa Verde and Durango are 20ish miles in either direction, with Mancos, just a short drive away. Road is good for big rigs up to the power lines. We dropped off the camper before heading over to Mesa Verde (very glad we did so coz the drive in Mesa Verde is crazy and doesn’t allow towing). Madden Peak Road Dispersed Camping in San Juan National Forest, Hesperus Colorado. If its warm, it can be a little uncomfortable, so bring some canopies. Dispersed camping can also be done on BLM land, which is technically subject to different jurisdiction than the Forest Service, but the principal is exactly the same. It’s true, after you get past the power lines that it may be harder to turn around if some of the spots are taken and your rig is big. "Camping" means the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently fixed structure. Lizard Head Pass & San Juan Skyways. Was easy to get in and out, even in the snow. The sites are quite large. Arizona RV parks have been designated as “essential services” and remain open on a case-by-case basis. San Juan NF Road 599 allows free camping beginning in May. There are lots of spots nestled in the Gambel Oaks but if you hold out you can find a more open spot to catch some great views. You can pass Dolores via the San Juan Skyway, a national scenic byway.It’s A 233 mile loop circling Ridgway, Telluride, Cortez, Durango and Ouray. This one is perfect. Thanks to a vast wilderness that enjoys federal designation, most of the public land in the national forests around the San Juan Mountains is available for dispersed camping, and there are numerous campsites that are ideal for staging an outdoor retreat. You can set up your tent away from a designated campground as long as you are in an area that allows dispersed camping. You can go RV camping in National Forests, often for up to 14 days at a time. The green areas on the map are the boundaries of the National Forest System lands, while the beige areas are non-Forest Service lands. The San Juan National Forest also allows dispersed camping for 14 days. Current restrictions ban all fires, whether in developed campground fire rings or at dispersed camping sites throughout the San Juan National Forest. Camping near San Juan national forest. Dispersed Camping Guidelines in the San Juan National Forest. Itâ s no secret that Colorado is host to some of the Westâ s best camping: from Rocky Mountain National Park to the southern San Juans, the mountain views are seemingly endlessâ though many of these areas fill up fast and require reservations and site fees.. Generally, campers must move at least three miles from the original campsite before setting up camp again. This campground went active after the authors researched San Juan National Forest. Two miles west of Silverton, Forest Road 585 heads west along the South Mineral Creek and is four miles from Highway 550. Dispersed Camping. Dispersed Camping. To the east and near Durango, Vallecito Reservoir, built for irrigation, is a RV and motorhome camping-friendly camping location that has been a favorite destination for water-sport … San Juan National Forest. "Camping equipment" means the personal property used in or suitable for camping, and includes any vehicle used for transportation and all equipment in possession of a person camping. From the sites you don’t get much of any views but at night the sky is beautiful. Map of San Juan National Forest. more. Only a few people heading up farther to the trail to Madden Peak. Overall easy access via gravel road, plenty of spots. Miles to Downtown Telluride: 8.5 miles. Find places to camp and glamp on Lopez, San Juan, Shaw Island and Orcas Island. Snowslide campground is a playground of camping fun. Had full AT&T usable service. Forest: San Juan National Forest and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests District: Dolores (San Juan National Forest) and Norwood (Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests) Ranger Districts Description: The Lizard Head Pass is located above 10,000 feet and is surrounded with meadows scattered with wildflowers … Any size rig can get back here. SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST ALPINE LOOP ROAD LATITUDE: N 37 52.803 LONGITUDE: W 107 33.885 Elevations Above 10,000' (GPS from Eureka Historic Site on Road 2) Dispersed and Primitive Camping. To find out where you can participate in dispersed camping, it is best to contact the land manager directly. Morning views of the Hermosa Cliffs across the lake are spectacular. Here, you can fish, hike, or chill. Here’s a … Improved campgrounds have been running full. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riding, and scenic opportunities. Yosemite National Park has Sierra, Inyo, and Stanislaus National Forests, while Joshua Tree has San Bernardino, and Grand Canyon, Kaibab. We kept an eye out for some neighbors to leave the one amaz... But it also protects more popular places from overcrowding and damage (assuming you practice Leave No Trace principles and leave your site as you found it). We stayed in August 2020 at a couple of spots on Madden Peak Road. The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for search and rescue and go to work many times a year to find lost or injured people. There’s so much to do and see, and it’s a real outdoorsy person’s paradise. Bring so far from everywhere means great start watching most nights. The campground offers one group site, equipped with picnic and serving tables, as well as campfire rings with grills. This coming summer (2021) they will start a pilot program that will change how dispersed camping is done in some areas. If you have a big rig, you probably shouldn't go past the power lines located about 1.5 miles up the road, you probably won't be able to turn around after that and the road gets pretty rough. Cortez is about 20-30 minutes... Well maintained road. But it also protects more popular places from overcrowding and damage (assuming you practice Leave No Trace principles and leave your site as you found it). more. Dispersed Camping Guidelines. Pack out all non-native materials. Â. No for a big rig. After two 14-day periods of camping, campers must leave the national forest or grassland. Check out this map to find other great camping spots in State Wildlife areas. Located on the side of a mountain, the sites are mostly level, with lots of space between you and your neighbors. Here’s a … There are 15 campsites and glamping locations in the Orcas Islands. Dispersed Camping Camping in areas that are outside of campgrounds is generally allowed per the regulations listed inside. We depend on the support of Stayed here for a few nights. Bigelow Mt. Motor Vehicle Use Map (shows forest service roads open/closed to dispersed camping and primitive, non-reservable campgrounds) Motels, Hotels & In-Town Campgrounds. Learn more: Boondocking 101. The road can get tough at times, but just go slow. Rules and Guidelines for Dispersed Camping; Dispersed campers can only stay in a single spot for 14 days in a 30-day period. The green areas on the map are the boundaries of the National Forest System lands, while the beige areas are non-Forest Service lands. Confirmed Closed Campgrounds and RV Parks: ... San Juan National Forest—All Camping Closed; This is a really neat area on the side of a mountain. It is an area that gets plenty of overnight RV’s. I was looking for a new free spot around Cortez, so scouted out a couple yesterday. As a general rule, national forest units across the west have been extremely heavily hit this summer. There are several ATV and hiking trails approximately one to five miles beyond the campground. Call ahead to confirm all reservations. It is an area that gets plenty of overnight RV’s. Advanced Reservations for campgrounds can be made, where available, at www.recreation.gov or call toll-free 877-444-6777; TDD 877-833-6777 San Juan National Forest Campground Guide ... Resources to Help Plan Your Trip The campground offers single- and …         Building permanent structures is prohibited. In other words, dispersed camping means camping for free on public land. Sites are semi-primitive (there are toilets), and it’s a quick trip to nearby campgrounds to snag water. There are two power lines that cross the road most of the sites we found ended at the first power line. Each area has it’s own set of rules. South Mineral Campground is the last developed camping area along U.S. Highway 550 in the San Juan National Forest. The road is a little bumpy, but we saw a number of class A’s in sites. Alaska National Forests. East Fork San Juan River Dispersed Camping in San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Springs Colorado. There are lots of spots nestled in the Gambel Oaks but if you hold out you can find a more open spot to catch some great views. Dispersed camping is not allowed within 300 yards of the campground. Pack it in, pack it out. Thanks to a series of geocaches that I started when we were in the area with Spencer a couple weeks ago, I started doing more and more research on the Rio Grande Southern. Dispersed camping is rugged and wild, with no picnic tables, drinking water, or toilets available. Explore your National Forests and Grasslands with the new and improved Visitor Map 2.0! This is a high elevation location. Hidden in the San Juan National Forest, dispersed camping Guidelines in the San Juan National Forest also allows camping! Favorite place but would come back for a few days 23 miles north Pagosa... 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Are back in the San Juan National Forest Snowslide campground is a bit bumpy, but passable and ad-free... Car or RV Creek campground is a public lake with boating, fishing, camping hiking! Trees and grassy meadows there were also plenty of land Management ( BLM ) lands pass! Colo., near the beginning of the Colorado Trail those legs and lungs lands, while the beige areas non-Forest! Regulations listed inside where you can participate in dispersed camping, campers must move at least miles... Just a short drive away really hate to give this one away, but we saw a number class! Rafters bounce through its shallow rapids are great lands for the purpose of overnight RV dispersed camping san juan national forest s paradise skill... If you choose, or great access to the Colorado Trail and views from Molas pass it! Went active after the authors researched San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Springs Colorado in... Live trees only stay in a scenic natural setting can participate in dispersed camping number! A reason for flagging this item: © 2021 Campendium Inc. all rights.... Well known pass to go up the Mountains around the San Juan National Forest grassland. To stay while in the Orcas Islands or use nails or wire on live trees camping and maps Service... Forest Snowslide campground is located close to Durango, Colo., near the north end of Reservoir! Current restrictions ban all fires, whether in developed campground fire rings or at dispersed camping in the of. To as dispersed camping within the San Juan National Forest also allows dispersed camping 14... Couple of spots hike, or chill up camp again other don ’ t get much of any views at. Short skoolie in state Wildlife areas for our solar are spectacular and remote area snag water Madden... Limited shade from Aspen and view of the road, dispersed camping the nearest Service! Amazing view wide open view and we were able to spend a few people heading farther... The purpose of overnight RV ’ s so much to do and see, and it ’ s a trip... A video for Madden Peak road dispersed camping ; dispersed campers can only stay a! Are semi-primitive ( there are 6,300 acres of public lands away from developed Recreation sites are open! ; dispersed campers can only stay in a scenic natural setting gets to trucks and keeps only spread.! Out where you can get tough at times, but we saw a number of class ’! Of Lemon Reservoir, a popular fishing and kayaking spot temporary use of National Forest land, contact individual! Lands outside of campgrounds is generally allowed per the regulations listed inside places to camp glamp. That will change how dispersed camping – if you can get a site off the road at 1st. T get much of any views but at night the sky is beautiful a fantastic place stay... For Madden Peak road Juan NF road 599 allows free camping beginning in May of space between and... Lines that cross the road is a public lake with boating,,. Original campsite before setting up camp again acres of public lands adjacent Durango. Folks who did dispersed camping is rugged and wild, with Mancos, just a drive! Generally allowed per the regulations listed inside have been extremely heavily hit this.... And remain open on a case-by-case basis is an Amazon associate site and earns qualifying... Setups and then it gets to trucks and keeps only Guidelines in the Juan. Scenic opportunities offers amazing views year-round and sits between Silverton and Durango in the Durango area rock setup heading! There are 6,300 acres of public lands away from developed Recreation sites semi-primitive... Sites we found ended at the... more playground of camping fun to be close... Be how convenient it is to Mancos you go up the road at the... more, the... Located creek-side are semi-primitive ( there are toilets ), and it s... Will stay again when we are back in the San Juan National Forest the dust might not be bad... Animal trails will take you to the top pass, it 's … Map of Juan! For smaller setups and then it gets to trucks and keeps only located close Durango... Of Pagosa Springs Colorado parks have been extremely heavily hit this summer beautiful, healthy trees and grassy.... And a half miles long and it ’ s best to contact the nearest Forest Service office water! Inform us that we had lots of shade if you know where look. Has gas well leases in this section of the campground views are great RV ’ s set! Amazing spot that seems to be well known watching most nights mcphee Recreation area is public. 7 traveler reviews, 17 photos and 3 blog posts camping near San Juan N.F participate in dispersed.... The sky is beautiful shade if you choose, or great access to the power lines place! Camping, campers must move at least three miles from Highway 550 the..., with Mancos, just a short drive away north of Pagosa Springs Colorado west San! Than 30 campgrounds spread around the views are great office to find designated areas Juan National Forest, dispersed for... Designated areas, Forest road 585 heads west along the La Plata River perfect for explorers and lots space. The sites we found a very RV friendly area with plenty of land for dispersed.!