North Canyon Campground
Open for the 2026 season. Operating mid-May through September. The campground has 12 reservable sites via Recreation.gov and 9 first-come, first-served sites. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM noon.
Air Quality Alert issued June 29 at 7:10PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Ozone. WHERE...Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Pagosa Springs, and the Southern Ute Reservation. WHEN...400 PM Monday June 29 to 1000 PM Monday June 29 IMPACTS...Hot and smoky weather conditions will allow ozone concentrations to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category within the advisory area Monday afternoon and evening. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults and people with lung disease, such as asthma. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Air Quality Alert issued June 29 at 5:10PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Ozone. WHERE...Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Pagosa Springs, and the Southern Ute Reservation. WHEN...400 PM Monday June 29 to 1000 PM Monday June 29 IMPACTS...Hot and smoky weather conditions will allow ozone concentrations to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category within the advisory area Monday afternoon and evening. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults and people with lung disease, such as asthma. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
Air Quality Alert issued June 29 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Ozone. WHERE...Montezuma, La Plata and Archuleta Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Cortez, Durango, Hermosa, Honeyville, Rockwood, Pagosa Springs, and the Southern Ute Reservation. WHEN...400 PM Monday June 29 to 1000 PM Monday June 29 IMPACTS...Hot and smoky weather conditions will allow ozone concentrations to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category within the advisory area Monday afternoon and evening. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: Increasing likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults and people with lung disease, such as asthma. Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.
About
North Canyon Campground occupies a relatively open setting along the eastern shore of Vallecito Reservoir in the San Juan National Forest. Large ponderosa pines provide scattered shade while a thick understory offers privacy between sites. Willow thickets separate the camping area from the lakeshore, and many sites offer partial views of the lake and the high peaks of the San Juans to the northwest. The campground provides 21 sites, with 12 available through Recreation.gov and 9 first-come, first-served. Amenities include potable water, vault toilets, fire grates, picnic tables, and trash service. Several sites can accommodate larger RVs up to 40 feet, though all equipment must fit within the parking spur as no overflow parking exists. Vallecito Reservoir draws anglers targeting German brown trout, cutthroat, rainbow, kokanee salmon, and northern pike. Boating, waterskiing, and canoeing are popular, with boat rentals available at nearby resorts. The North Canyon Trail departs across the road from the campground, winding through ponderosa pine and aspen forests to a lake overlook. East Creek Trail, a quarter-mile northeast on Forest Road 852, accesses a lightly used drainage popular with fly fishers and horseback riders.
Directions
From Durango: Travel 17 miles on Florida Road (County Road 240). Turn left onto County Road 501. After 4 miles, slight right onto Forest Road 603 for 2.5 miles to campground entrance on the east side of Vallecito Reservoir. From Bayfield: Travel 14 miles north on County Road 501, then 2.5 miles northeast on Forest Road 603 to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $28 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 45ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 45ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 884-2512 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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