Cathedral Campground
Closed for annual spring road closures. Roads reopen May 15, 2026. Once accessible, the campground operates year-round on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. Road access may close again in winter depending on snow 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.
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…
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.
Wolf Creek Pass Winter Recreation Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and snowmobile use at Wolf Creek Pass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spectacle Lake Restriction
This special order prohibits anyone from being in Spectacle Lake due to biological considerations.
Camping Restriction N. Crestone Trailhead
This special order restricts camping at the North Crestone Trailhead.
Forest Road #950 N. Crestone Closure
This special order closes FSR # 950, near Crestone, seasonally from November 25 to May 1 annually.
Park Creek Road Speed Limit
This special order establishes a 25 MPH speed limit on FSR # 380 Park Creek Road.
Alamosa Canyon Speed Limit
This special order establishes a speed limit of 20 MPH or less on FSR # 250 in the Alamosa Canyon.
Rito Hondo Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping, boat use, and campfire use around the Rito Hondo Dam.
Road Canyon Reservoir Day Use Area
This special order restricts parking, camping and campfire uses in the area around Road Canyon Reservoir #1.
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
Cathedral Campground is a quiet, lightly-used USFS campground northwest of Del Norte in the Rio Grande National Forest. Situated at 9,400 feet elevation in a beautiful mature aspen and blue spruce grove, the campground offers striking views of Cathedral Rock to the north. Embargo Creek flows alongside the east edge of the grounds. The campground consists of two loops: the left loop features a large meadow with more open sites, while the right loop has dense woodland and a more secluded, rustic atmosphere. All 22 sites are first-come, first-served with no advance reservations. Five sites are pull-throughs and 17 are dead-end spurs, with lengths ranging from 35 to 45 feet. There is no potable water, so campers must bring their own supply. Vault toilets are available. No trash service exists, so pack out all garbage. The area is bear country, and food storage regulations are in effect April through December. Recreation opportunities include fishing in Embargo Creek and trail access to Cathedral Creek Trail #794, Embargo Trail #792, and Fremont's Camp Trail #885. Motorcycles are permitted on the trails but ATVs are not allowed. The historic site of John Charles Fremont's ill-fated 1848 winter expedition camp is nearby.
Directions
From Del Norte: Travel 8.75 miles west on US Highway 160 to Embargo Creek Rd and County Rd 18 signs. Turn right onto Rd 18 and go 1.4 miles to a T intersection (County Rd 15). Turn right onto Rd 15 and go 0.3 miles to another T intersection (County Rd 65). Turn left onto Rd 65 and go 3.2 miles to Y intersection (Forest Rd 640/650). Bear left onto Rd 640 (dirt, single lane with no turnouts) 7.6 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $10 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 45ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 45ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | Yes |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (719) 657-3321 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| USFS Cathedral Campground | |
| Rio Grande NF Alerts |
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