Graham Creek Campground

About

Graham Creek Campground is situated on the east side of Vallecito Reservoir in the San Juan National Forest, offering 25 campsites split between 15 reservable and 10 first-come, first-served. The hillside sites sit about 100 yards from the high-water line at 7,900 feet elevation, with scattered ponderosa pines providing partial shade and thick understory vegetation ensuring privacy between sites. Willow thickets separate the camping area from the lakeshore, with short trails providing foot access to the water. Vallecito Lake is a premier fishing destination for German brown, cutthroat, and rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and northern pike. The lake also supports boating, water skiing, and canoeing, with boat rentals available at nearby resorts. Trailered boats must use the boat ramp on the west side of the lake after a Colorado Parks and Wildlife inspection, as the old boat ramp at the campground is permanently closed. North Canyon Trail begins directly across from the campground, leading through ponderosa pine and aspen forests with a shorter spur to a scenic lake overlook. East Creek Trail starts a quarter-mile up Forest Road 852 and accesses a lightly used drainage popular with fly fishermen pursuing brook trout. Both trails accommodate horseback riders, though horses are not permitted in the campground itself.

Directions

From Bayfield, travel 14 miles north on County Road 501. Turn right on County Road 501A at the fire station, travel over the dam and continue just over 3 miles to the campground on the east side of Vallecito Reservoir. From Durango, travel 17 miles on Florida Road (County Road 240), turn left onto County Road 501 for 4 miles, then slight right onto Forest Road 603 for about 2.2 miles to the campground entrance.