La Plata City Dispersed Area Campground
Open for camping in designated sites only. County Road 124 is open following repairs from October 2025 flooding. A winter gate closes the road December 15 through May. Fire danger is currently rated high. Camping outside designated areas is prohibited through December 31, 2027.
Flood Watch issued October 30 at 3:02PM MDT until November 2 at 11:00AM MST by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Colorado, including the following areas, Animas River Basin, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, San Juan River Basin and Southwest San Juan Mountains and southeast Utah, including the following areas, Canyonlands/Natural Bridges, La Sal and Abajo Mountains and Southeast Utah. * WHEN...From late Saturday night through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, recently burned areas, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Low-water crossings may be flooded. Storm drains and ditches may become clogged with debris. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected across portions of southeast Utah and southwest Colorado from Sunday morning through Monday morning over soils that are still saturated from recent rainfall and flooding. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Winter Storm Watch issued October 30 at 12:22PM MDT until November 2 at 12:00PM MST by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...Heavy snow possible above 10,000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 10 to 15 inches with locally higher amounts possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Northwest San Juan Mountains and Southwest San Juan Mountains. * WHEN...From Sunday morning through noon Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.
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.
About
La Plata City Dispersed Area is one of five designated dispersed camping areas in La Plata Canyon, alongside Darby, Bay City, Miners Cabin, and Madden Creek. Located in the historic La Plata mining district of San Juan National Forest, this primitive camping area offers free camping with basic facilities in a scenic mountain setting near the La Plata River. As a designated dispersed area rather than a developed campground, La Plata City provides rustic camping with vault toilets and USFS-provided metal fire grates, but no potable water. Campers must bring their own water supply and follow Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all trash and digging catholes for human waste at least 100 feet from water sources. Camping in La Plata Canyon is restricted to designated areas only under a Forest Order effective through December 31, 2027. The maximum stay is 16 days, after which campers must relocate at least 5 road miles away. Access is via County Road 124 from Hesperus, which becomes increasingly rugged beyond the National Forest boundary, requiring high clearance vehicles.
Directions
From Durango, drive 12 miles west on US Highway 160 to Hesperus. Turn north onto County Road 124 and continue approximately 5-8 miles. The road is paved initially but turns to gravel at the National Forest boundary and becomes rough 4WD terrain. High clearance vehicles recommended.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 884-2512 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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