Colorado › Saguache County › Rio Grande National Forest

Buffalo Pass Campground

Closed

Closed for the season. Opens May 19, 2026 through November 18, 2026. First-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Cash or check only.

Red Flag Warning issued July 1 at 2:30PM MDT until July 3 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

2:30 PM — July 2nd, 6:30 AM

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO MIDNIGHT MDT THURSDAY NIGHT FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, AND 229... ...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, AND 229... * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 and 229. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 5 percent. * IMPACTS...Elevated fire danger is expected. Fires will catch and spread rapidly and erratically.

Fire Weather Watch issued July 1 at 2:30PM MDT until July 3 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

2:30 PM — July 2nd, 6:30 AM

Red Flag Warning issued July 1 at 2:30PM MDT until July 1 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

2:30 PM — July 2nd, 6:30 AM

Air Quality Alert issued July 1 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Pueblo CO

9:10 AM — July 2nd, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Wednesday July 01 to 900 AM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Thursday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Rio Grande National Forest

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.

Rio Grande National Forest

Weed Free Forage Products

The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.

Rio Grande National Forest

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.

Rio Grande National Forest

South Fork Saguache Road 787 and Area Closure

A segment of Forest Road 787 and a nearby area are closed from July 6 to August 15, 2026.

Rio Grande National Forest

Stage 1 Fire Prohibitions

The Rio Grande National Forest is implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in areas where current conditions demonstrate elevated fire danger, higher human‑caused ignition potential, and increased management risk. Based on present fuel conditions, visitor‑use patterns, and operational…

Rio Grande National Forest

Sangre de Cristo Domestic Goat Restriction

Restriction order prohibiting domestic goats in parts of the Rio Grande National Forest to protect Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep from disease.

Rio Grande National Forest

Fall/Winter Slash Pile Burns Planned

Rio Grande National Forest announced today their winter slash pile burning plans. As conditions allow, fire crews plan to burn numerous piles of woody debris from timber sale and thinning project areas across the Rio Grande National Forest. This year’s pile burn areas include:Saguache Ranger…

Rio Grande National Forest

Motor Vehicle Seasonal Groomed Road Closures

This special order is to protect public safety by preventing damage to groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski routes.

Rio Grande National Forest

Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area

This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.

Rio Grande National Forest

Food Storage Regulations

This special order covers food storage restrictions from April 1 to December 1 annually, within recreation sites across the entire Rio Grande National Forest. The purpose of this Order to protect wildlife and human safety by reducing the risk of adverse interactions between bears and humans.

Rio Grande National Forest

Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Occupancy & Use

This special order covers the entire Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area including the portion on the San Isabel National Forest. The includes restrictions on group size, camping, campfires, horse use, dogs, switchback cutting, and wagon or cart use.

Rio Grande National Forest

Beaver Creek Recreation Area Use Restrictions

This special order restricts camping, parking, and dogs in the Beaver Creek Recreation Area. It also prohibits boats at Million Reservoir.

Rio Grande National Forest

Big Meadows Recreation Area Use Regulations

This special order prohibits camping, parking, campfire and stove use, and restricts dogs within the Big Meadows Recreation area on the Divide Ranger District.

Rio Grande National Forest

Camping limit on Rio Grande National Forest

This special order establishes a 14-day camping limit within a continuous 30-day period anywhere on the Rio Grande National Forest.

Rio Grande National Forest

La Garita Wilderness Use Restrictions

This special order covers the entire La Garita Wilderness area including portions on the Gunnison National Forest. The order restricts group size, camping, campfire and stove use, equipment storing, horse use, dogs, and cutting switchbacks on trails.

Rio Grande National Forest

Weminuche Wilderness and South San Juan Wilderness Restrictions

This special order restricts group use, horse use, camping, campfires, and dogs in the Weminuche and South San Juan Wilderness Areas.

Rio Grande National Forest

Spectacle Lake Restriction

This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations.

Rio Grande National Forest

Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead

This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.

Rio Grande National Forest

Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure

This special order closes FSR # 950, near Crestone, seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually.

Rio Grande National Forest

Park Creek Road Speed Limit

This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road.

Rio Grande National Forest

Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit

This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon.

Rio Grande National Forest

Rito Hondo Day Use Area

This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the Rito Hondo Dam.

Rio Grande National Forest

Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area

This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.

Rio Grande National Forest

Conejos Canyon Roads and Camping Restrictions

This special order restricts the vehicle use and parking and limits camping to designated areas on FSR# 250 along the Conejos River.

About

Buffalo Pass Campground occupies a peaceful Ponderosa Pine grove in the Rio Grande National Forest at 9,100 feet elevation. The single large loop road winds through a grass meadow sprinkled with wildflowers, providing 19 generously spaced campsites. Four sites are pull-throughs, and sites 16, 17, and 18 sit on a dead-end spur with no turnaround, limiting access for larger rigs. This is bear country, so proper food storage is required. The campground has vault toilets but no potable water; nearby streams and lakes can be used if purified. Dogs are welcome on leashes no longer than 6 feet. Quiet hours run from 10 PM to 6 AM. The campground's location along Highway 114 makes it ideal for travelers passing through the area. The nearby Upper Crossing Guard Station rental cabin offers an alternative lodging option for those seeking more shelter.

Directions

From Saguache, Colorado: Follow Colorado Highway 114 west for 27.6 miles, then take a gravel road 1.7 miles southwest into the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds

Luders Creek Campground 3.6mi Upper Crossing Guard Station 4.6mi Carnero Guard Station 14mi Stone Cellar Campground 14mi Storm King Campground 16mi Poso Campground 20mi Snowblind 24mi Brewery Creek Guard Station 20mi Cathedral Campground 26mi

Location

38.18471908569336, -106.5168685913086

27039 State Hwy 114, Saguache, CO 81149

Amenities

Water	No
Fires Allowed	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Dump Station	No
Wifi	—
Pets Allowed	Yes
Showers	No
Electric Hookups	—
Water Hookups	—
Sewer Hookups	—
Camp Store	—
Price	$10

Vehicle

Max RV Length	—
Max Trailer Length	30ft
Big Rig Friendly	No
Pull Through Sites	Yes

Contact

Phone

+1 (719) 655-2547

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

USFS Buffalo Pass Campground

Photos

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