Colorado / La Plata County / San Juan National Forest

Target Tree Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates May through September. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Target Tree Campground is located 7 miles east of Mancos on the north side of Highway 160 at an elevation of 7,643 feet in the San Juan National Forest. The campground's name, also known in the Ute language as "IVIKUKUCH," refers to the Ute Indians' historical use of the area to harvest sap and bark from ponderosa pines as food supplements and their use of the trees for target practice, leaving several scarred trees throughout the area that visitors can still see today. The campground sits on a south-facing hillside overlooking Thompson Park within a ponderosa pine and Gambel oak forest that provides shade in many sites. With 28 sites total, including 17 barrier-free sites and three equestrian sites with corrals for overnight horse camping, Target Tree accommodates a variety of camping styles. Most large and pull-through sites require mechanical leveling of RVs. The area can be hot during summer days but cools off significantly at night. Recreational opportunities include a short accessible interpretive trail to view a historic target tree with historical markers explaining their usage. The campground is known for excellent birding, with signage listing species found in the area. The Narrow Gauge Trail begins near campsite 37 and climbs 3.4 miles to an old railroad grade, where rails were placed just three feet apart to allow trains to navigate through the rugged mountains. The campground serves as an ideal base for day trips to Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos, Durango, and other Four Corners archaeological sites.

Directions

From Mancos, travel 7 miles east on U.S. Highway 160. Turn left at the campground sign just north of the highway. From Durango, travel 20 miles west on U.S. Highway 160. Turn right at the campground sign and follow the gravel road 0.3 miles to the campground.

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