North Canyon Campground
Open for the 2026 season. Operating mid-May through September. The campground has 12 reservable sites via Recreation.gov and 9 first-come, first-served sites. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM noon.
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
North Canyon Campground occupies a relatively open setting along the eastern shore of Vallecito Reservoir in the San Juan National Forest. Large ponderosa pines provide scattered shade while a thick understory offers privacy between sites. Willow thickets separate the camping area from the lakeshore, and many sites offer partial views of the lake and the high peaks of the San Juans to the northwest. The campground provides 21 sites, with 12 available through Recreation.gov and 9 first-come, first-served. Amenities include potable water, vault toilets, fire grates, picnic tables, and trash service. Several sites can accommodate larger RVs up to 40 feet, though all equipment must fit within the parking spur as no overflow parking exists. Vallecito Reservoir draws anglers targeting German brown trout, cutthroat, rainbow, kokanee salmon, and northern pike. Boating, waterskiing, and canoeing are popular, with boat rentals available at nearby resorts. The North Canyon Trail departs across the road from the campground, winding through ponderosa pine and aspen forests to a lake overlook. East Creek Trail, a quarter-mile northeast on Forest Road 852, accesses a lightly used drainage popular with fly fishers and horseback riders.
Directions
From Durango: Travel 17 miles on Florida Road (County Road 240). Turn left onto County Road 501. After 4 miles, slight right onto Forest Road 603 for 2.5 miles to campground entrance on the east side of Vallecito Reservoir. From Bayfield: Travel 14 miles north on County Road 501, then 2.5 miles northeast on Forest Road 603 to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $28 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 45ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 45ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | Yes |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 884-2512 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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