Mcphee Campground
Open May through September. Water and Forest Service restroom facilities are currently unavailable at the McPhee Recreation Complex; porta johns are provided. Between October and May, there are no services. The campground remains partially open during hunting season, weather dependent, with limited sites and no services except toilets.
Hydrologic Outlook issued October 29 at 10:53AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
ESFGJT Low pressure begins to dig southward from the PACNW on Friday, tapping into a fetch of Pacific moisture that will evolve into an atmospheric river streaming into the Desert Southwest this weekend. Showers and thunderstorms develop on Friday and Saturday across the region. Lighter rainfall totals Friday and Saturday will reflect, initially lower, moisture. However, a few thunderstorms could produce impactful downpours on saturated soils left over from last weekend's historic rainfall. Deeper moisture develops Saturday night and early Sunday. This is expected to produce heavier and more widespread rainfall across southeast UT and southwest CO Sunday and Monday, mostly below 10000 feet. While rivers are forecast to remain below action stage, a growing concern lies in the potential for runoff around saturated hillsides in the region. This could produce rock, mud, and debris flows onto roadways, as well as flash flood prone burn scars, washes, slot canyons, and arroyos. Early estimates predict an area of 1 to 2 inches of new rainfall for portions of southeast UT and southwest CO. This is a preliminary forecast that hinges on slight shifts in a strong moisture plume impacting the region. It also attempts to capture the most statistically likely outcome, despite stronger and weaker outlier predictions. Outdoor enthusiasts, motorists, and residents of recent flood impacted areas are encouraged to remain abreast of the developing forecast in the coming days.
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
McPhee Campground is the primary camping destination at McPhee Reservoir, the largest lake in the San Juan National Forest and the second-largest in Colorado, with 50 miles of shoreline in pinyon, juniper, and sagebrush country. The campground occupies a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir at 7,400 feet elevation, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the peaks near Mesa Verde to the south. The campground has 71 campsites on two paved loops, with 50 sites available for reservation and the remainder first-come, first-served. Twenty-four sites offer electric hookups, and two sites are wheelchair-accessible with adapted tables and toilets. A dozen walk-in tent sites feature tent pads near scenic overlooks. Services include flush toilets, potable water, trash pickup, picnic tables, and fire grates during the operating season. The half-mile Can Do Trail climbs to a scenic overlook with panoramic reservoir views. The adjacent McPhee Group Area has four reservable group campsites with limited electrical hookups, volleyball posts, a ball field, and horseshoe pits. The McPhee Boat Launch provides reservoir access, and a fish cleaning station is available. The Anasazi Heritage Center is a 10-minute drive in Dolores, and Mesa Verde National Park is about an hour south.
Directions
From Dolores, CO: Travel south on Highway 145 and west on Highway 184 for about 7 miles to County Road 25. Turn north off this road and into the McPhee Recreation area complex on Forest Road 271.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $26 - $110 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 50ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 882-7296 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
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