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 August 30 at 7:37PM MDT until September 1 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of Colorado, including the following areas, Central Colorado River Basin, Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin, Central Yampa River Basin, Debeque to Silt Corridor, Flat Tops, Four Corners/Upper Dolores River, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys, Grand Valley, Grand and Battlement Mesas, Northwest San Juan Mountains, Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River, Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus, Southwest San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide, Upper Gunnison River Valley and West Elk and Sawatch Mountains and Utah, including the following areas, Arches/Grand Flat, Canyonlands/Natural Bridges, La Sal and Abajo Mountains, Southeast Utah and Tavaputs Plateau. * WHEN...Through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Recent burn scars will also be especially susceptible and these include the Lee and Elk RX, Gold Mountain and Elk, Ferris, and Babylon burn scars to name a few. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Monsoonal moisture will remain across the area through Monday evening and will support thunderstorms and showers with heavy rainfall across the watch area. Several rounds of heavier rain are expected increasing the chance for flash flooding especially in our more susceptible areas. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
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.
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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