Lower Hermosa

About

Lower Hermosa Campground sits along Hermosa Creek at the southern gateway to the Hermosa Creek Special Management Area in Colorado's San Juan National Forest. The 19-site campground operates first-come, first-served from May through September, with payment accepted via cash, check, or the Recreation.gov mobile app's Scan and Pay feature. Each site accommodates up to 8 people and includes a picnic table and fire ring. The campground provides vault toilets but no potable water, so campers must pack in their own supply. The adjacent Lower Hermosa Creek Trailhead offers additional parking and a horse corral with hitching posts for overnight equestrian use, though horses are prohibited within the campground itself. Bear-safe food storage is strongly recommended. Hermosa Creek Trail #514 begins at the parking lot and follows the creek approximately 25 miles through the special management area to Upper Hermosa Trailhead. The singletrack trail attracts mountain bikers, horseback riders, hikers, and anglers, with some sections featuring steep dropoffs. Quiet hours are enforced from 10 PM to 6 AM with generator use limited to one hour maximum.

Directions

From Durango, travel north on Highway 550 for approximately 14 miles. Turn left (west) at Hermosa onto County Road 201, which becomes Forest Road 576. Continue approximately 4 miles to the campground entrance.