Snowslide
Sites are first-come, first-served. Recreation.gov lists this campground for paying on site, and you may be able to pay with the Scan and Pay feature of its app.
More like this: first-come in Colorado
Amenities & rules
Snowslide Campground, near Hesperus, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Tucked alongside the La Plata River, this campground offers a serene setting with 13 sites that are first-come, first-served, so plan to arrive early to snag your favorite spot.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May to September |
| Forest | San Juan National Forest |
| Fees | $20 |
| Rules | Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am. Please be a good neighbor and limit use of generators to no more than one hour at a time. Dogs must be leashed or otherwise physically restrained. Do not leave pets unattended. Check-out time: 12:00 pm; Check-in time: 2:00 pm - if the site is empty, campers may come in anytime. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 37.3709° N, 108.0778° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Backcountry Experience ↗ | 12.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Snowslide Campground San Juan National Forest, CO
Trails nearby
- 0.8 miMadden Creek Proper OHV Trail1.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.9 miLa Plata Canyon D OHV0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.9 miMadden Camp Spur OHV0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.5 miBedrock Creek OHV Trail3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.5 miNeptune OHV Trail3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 1.6 miBedrock Creek OHV Spur1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside San Juan National Forest.
- inSan Juan National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,094,539 acres
- 7.3 miHermosa Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 37,344 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Bauer Bank BlockBuilding · Mancos · 11.8 mi
- Wrightsman HouseBuilding · Mancos · 11.8 mi
- Mancos High SchoolBuilding · Mancos · 11.9 mi
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Snowslide?
No. Snowslide is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Snowslide?
$20
Source: Forest Service
Is Snowslide open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Snowslide have?
13 sites.
Source: Forest Service
What if Snowslide is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kroeger (0.4 mi, first-come), Target Tree Campground (6.4 mi), and Junction Creek Campground (9.3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby