BLACK FRIDAY
Elevation 6,563 ftAt Durango, USGS.
Best months May-Jun, Aug-SepAverage high 65-84°F, NOAA Durango.
Places on the map 11 campgrounds and parksWithin the map frame below.
Nightly fees $18-140Per standard site, as listed.
Longest RV 65 ftMaximum vehicle length listed.

Campgrounds Near Durango Compared

CampgroundMiles from DurangoManaged bySitesFee per nightBookingMax RV
Junction Creek Campground7.4San Juan National Forest45$32-150Recreation.gov65 ft
Lower Hermosa19.9San Juan National Forest1$18Recreation.gov-
Snowslide20.6San Juan National Forest1$22Recreation.gov-
Kroeger20.9San Juan National Forest1$22Recreation.gov-
Miller Creek23.8San Juan National Forest1$30Recreation.gov-
Florida Campground26.8San Juan National Forest20$27-150Recreation.gov40 ft
Transfer Park Campground26.9San Juan National Forest1$22Recreation.gov-
Transfer Park Campground26.9San Juan National Forest--First come-
Chris Park27.5San Juan National Forest3$140-280Recreation.gov40 ft
Target Tree Campground28.4San Juan National Forest28$24Recreation.gov60 ft
Haviland Lake Campground29.3San Juan National Forest41$32-98Recreation.gov48 ft

Sources: Recreation.gov, National Park Service, state and county park pages. "-" means the operator does not publish it.

Junction Creek Near Town

Choose Junction Creek when you want the broadest mix of regular, electric, and group choices close to Durango. Recreation.gov lists 45 campsites, and the campground sits 7 miles from Durango. Your nightly fee runs $32 to $150 per site.

Your site puts you in ponderosa pine and gambel oak at 7,300 ft, a quarter mile above Junction Creek. Junction Creek gives you accessible vault toilets and drinking water, plus single and double family campsites, many with electric hookups.

Your group can use a campsite that fits up to 50 people. A large day use picnic shelter with electricity fits up to 65 people, which helps your meal gathering stay separate from overnight sites.

Haviland Lake Water Stays

Pick Haviland Lake when you want water access with a reservable campground north of Durango. Recreation.gov lists 41 campsites, and the campground sits 18 miles north of town. Your nightly fee runs $32 to $98 per site.

Your campsite sits on the shore at 8,705 ft, so plan for cooler nights than in town. Haviland Lake gives you an 80 acre no wake lake with boating, canoeing, and fishing, and the Forebay Lake Trail starts in the campground.

Chris Park fits your organized group better than a family campsite. Recreation.gov lists 3 campsites at Chris Park. Your nightly fee runs $140 to $280 per site. Site 3 fits up to 150 people and includes a picnic shelter with electricity and grills. Other group sites fit up to 75 people each.

Lemon Reservoir Forest Camps

Use the Lemon Reservoir side when your trip needs water access and you can accept fewer reserve ahead choices. Florida Campground has 20 campsites and one group site. Your nightly fee runs $27 to $150 per site.

Your Florida stay includes drinking water and vault toilets. Lemon Reservoir sits about 3 miles from the campground and gives you boating, water skiing, and fishing.

Transfer Park works for you if you want shade, sun, open play areas, and seasonal water above the Florida River. Transfer Park charges $22 per night. Miller Creek charges $30 per site and gives your boat plan a concrete ramp at its north end.

Target Tree West Side

Choose Target Tree when you want a west side forest campground with accessible sites and horse specific choices. Recreation.gov lists 28 sites at $24 per site. The campground sits at 7,643 ft.

Your options include 17 barrier free sites. Three campsites have corrals for overnight horse camping. Target Tree keeps livestock in sites 25 and 26.

Lower Hermosa, Snowslide, and Kroeger suit you when your schedule allows a flexible arrival. Lower Hermosa charges $18 per site, and you can use the adjacent trailhead horse corral and hitching posts. Snowslide and Kroeger each charge $22 per site, with Snowslide along the La Plata River and Kroeger in La Plata Canyon.

Durango Rig Length Checks

Check your total vehicle length before you choose a site. Junction Creek takes vehicles up to 65 feet, and Target Tree lists 60 feet.

Haviland Lake lists 48 feet, while Florida and Chris Park list 40 feet. Your Target Tree plan needs outside shower and power arrangements because the campground has no electrical hookups or showers.

Kroeger gives your large RV fewer choices because most sites do not accommodate larger RVs. Kroeger has one pull through, so arrive with a backup plan if your setup needs easy maneuvering.

Durango Summer Nights

Your weather planning starts with Durango at 6,563 ft and a NOAA station 1.5 miles away. Town averages help you set your baseline, while higher forest campgrounds can feel colder at night.

June brings an average high of 81°F and an average low of 46°F, so your warm day can still turn into a cool sleeping bag night. September gives you an average high of 76°F and an average low of 44°F.

October can feel comfortable during the afternoon, but your sleep system needs cold weather margin. The month has an average high of 64°F and an average low of 33°F.

Average daily high and low, °F, NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Durango station.

Durango Booking Choices

You reserve Junction Creek, Florida, Chris Park, Target Tree, and Haviland Lake through Recreation.gov. Junction Creek, Haviland Lake, Target Tree, and Florida also keep first come sites, so your early arrival can still matter.

At Lower Hermosa, Snowslide, Kroeger, Miller Creek, and Transfer Park, you must physically arrive to purchase and claim your site. You may pay on site by scanning a QR code with the Recreation.gov mobile app.

Download the app before your Kroeger trip because remote areas may have limited or no cellular service. Junction Creek, Florida, Chris Park, Target Tree, and Haviland Lake set your maximum consecutive stay at 14 nights. Chris Park sets your check in at 2 pm and your check out at 12 pm.

What to Pack for Durango

An insulated sleeping padYour pad helps insulate you during January average lows of 13°F.A camping fanYour fan helps move air during July average highs of 85°F.A tent heaterYour heater plan needs ventilation during December average lows of 13°F.

What Campers Ask About Durango

Where can you camp around Durango?

You can camp in San Juan National Forest campgrounds close to town, north near Haviland Lake, west toward Mancos, or around Lemon Reservoir. Junction Creek gives you a listed campground 7 miles from Durango.

Do Durango campgrounds require reservations?

You need reservations for some sites, but you can also use first come options at several campgrounds. You reserve Junction Creek, Florida, Chris Park, Target Tree, and Haviland Lake through Recreation.gov.

Which campground works for your large RV near Durango?

You should start with Junction Creek if your rig needs the longest listed vehicle length. Junction Creek lists 65 feet, and Target Tree lists 60 feet.

When should you camp in Durango?

You should plan for warm days and cool nights in summer. July has an average high of 85°F and an average low of 53°F in Durango.

Can you find first come camping near Durango?

Yes, you can find first come sites at Junction Creek, Haviland Lake, Target Tree, Florida, and several smaller forest campgrounds. At Lower Hermosa, Snowslide, Kroeger, Miller Creek, and Transfer Park, you must arrive physically to purchase and claim your site.

Nearby Colorado Guides

← Camping in ColoradoTellurideGreat Sand Dunes National ParkMueller State ParkChatfield State Park

Sources