Lower Piedra
Closed — Closed for the season. San Juan National Forest campgrounds typically open in May or June and close in December or January depending on snow and road conditions.
Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness
This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.
Weed Free Forage Products
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.
Cave Closure and Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.
Falls Creek Closure Area, Camping, and Motor Vehicle Travel Restrictions
This San Juan National Forest forest order describes closure areas, as well as camping and motor vehicle travel restrictions in the Falls Creek.
Dolores River Restoration Project Closure Order
The Dolores Ranger District has issued a Forest Closure Order for Dolores River Restoration Project located on "The Beach" for the construction of instream structures and bank improvements.
West Fork Road and Bridge Closure Order
The Pagosa Ranger District's West Fork Bridge is closed by Forest Order due to damage during the October 2025 flood events. Forest Road 648 (West Fork) is closed at location identified by this order.
Multiple roads and trails damaged by flooding on SJNF
In early October, severe flooding events created ongoing safety and access concerns for Forest users on the Columbine and Pagosa Ranger Districts of the San Juan National Forest. Available forest employees are assessing the many roads, trails, bridges, and other infrastructure that was damaged or…
Lemon Reservoir Restrictions
The following act is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and waters on the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest:
Cascade Flume Safety Closure
Area closure: The purpose of this Order is for public health and safety during the Cascade Tacoma Flume repair. The recent failure of the flume resulted in infrastructure damage and a landslide that has destabilized the Described Area. Concerns for public safety include loose debris, continuing…
McPhee Reservoir Prohibitions
The purpose of this Order is to prevent the infestation of aquatic nuisance species.
Mancos/Dolores Camping Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety and natural resources.
Purgatory Ski Resort Area Vehicle Use Restrictions
From November 15 through April 30 annually, it is prohibited to use an over-snow vehicle (snowmobiles, timber sleds, and ski bikes) or mechanized vehicle that lacks a motor, such as a non-electric bicycle, on the Described Roads and Described Trails and OFF NFS roads in the Described Area. (See map…
McPhee Overlook Trail Seasonal Closure
The purpose of the seasonal closure of the McPhee Over Trail is to protect critical winter wildlife habitat.
Chicken Creek Ski Area Dog Restrictions
Dogs are not allowed in the Chicken Creek Ski Area from December 15 to March 15, annually in order to protect public safety.
La Plata Canyon Camping and Fire Restrictions
La Plata Canyon Camping and Fire Restrictions are in place to protect the natural resources in this beautiful, very popular area. Camping is prohibited outside of Forest Service designated camping areas (Darby, La Plata City, Bay City, Miners Cabin, and Madden Creek) and developed campgrounds…
Andrews Lake Camping Restrictions
Andrews Lake area is closed to camping in order to protect natural resources.
Hermosa Creek Wilderness Occupancy and Use Restrictions
In order to protect the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Hermosa Creek Wilderness, the following are prohibited:Entering or being upon a trail, campsite, or other area by a group larger than 15 people, with a maximum combination of people and stock not to exceed 25 in one…
Forest Wide Camping Stay Limits
In order to protect natural resources and to provide for public health and safety, the following are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the San Juan National Forest:Camping, or leaving camping equipment at any location or within three (3) miles of any prior…
Chimney Rock National Monument Occupancy and Use Restrictions
The purpose of this Order is to protect the objects of the monument through implementing restrictions prescribed in the Chimney Rock National Monument (CRNM) Final Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Grizzly Peak Research Natural Area Special Closure Order
This order implements prohibitions necessary to provide protection of natural conditions and processes in order to facilitate research and education and maintain biological diversity – the purposes for which RNAs are established on National Forest System lands – within the Grizzly Peak RNA.
Lizard Head Wilderness Area Occupancy & Use
This Order is necessary to protect physical and biological resources of the Lizard Head Wilderness, and to protect the human experience of Wilderness character, solitude, and the untrammeled condition of the landscape.
Forest Orders
Visit our Forest Order page for a list of all the current Forest Orders: Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Camping, Occupancy, and Use Restrictions.Forest and Regional orders are generally temporary in nature and are designed to protect public safety and our natural resource. After review, Regional…
Freeze Warning issued April 3 at 10:04PM MDT until April 4 at 10:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures expected. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures possible. * WHERE...In Colorado, Lower Yampa River Basin, Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River, San Juan River Basin, Central Colorado River Basin, Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, and Debeque to Silt Corridor. In Utah, Eastern Uinta Basin. * WHEN...For the Freeze Warning, until 10 AM MDT Saturday. For the Freeze Watch, from late Saturday night through Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
Freeze Watch issued April 3 at 10:04PM MDT until April 5 at 10:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...For the Freeze Warning, sub-freezing temperatures expected. For the Freeze Watch, sub-freezing temperatures possible. * WHERE...In Colorado, Lower Yampa River Basin, Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River, San Juan River Basin, Central Colorado River Basin, Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, and Debeque to Silt Corridor. In Utah, Eastern Uinta Basin. * WHEN...For the Freeze Warning, until 10 AM MDT Saturday. For the Freeze Watch, from late Saturday night through Sunday morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
About
Lower Piedra Campground is located on the west bank of the Piedra River in the San Juan National Forest, offering 17 large, level campsites with ample shade. The campground provides a peaceful riverside setting with good fishing opportunities, though the river sees heavy angling pressure. All sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. The campground includes potable water, trash service, vault toilets, picnic tables at each site, and fire grates. Sites can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet, and each site must fit all equipment with wheels within the parking spur with no overflow parking available. The Forest Road 621 access road is typically suitable for most vehicles. Note that dispersed camping is prohibited within 100 yards of either side of Forest Road 621 from the cattle guard to the campground boundary. Standard site occupancy is 8 people, though single families larger than 8 are acceptable. The campground is accessed via a one-mile drive north on Forest Road 621 from Highway 160.
Directions
From Pagosa Springs, travel west on U.S. Highway 160 for about 23 miles. Turn north on Forest Road 621 on the west side of the Piedra River and continue about 1 mile to the campground entrance. From Bayfield, travel east on U.S. Highway 160 for about 18 miles, then turn north on Forest Road 621 and continue 1 mile to the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $28 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 35ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (661) 702-1420 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov |
Availability
Photos
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