Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore
Lake Fork Campground sits in the Rio Grande Forest, 40 miles northwest of Antonito, Colorado. The campground is a true getaway from any city, and requires an 18-mile drive on a gravel road. This high elevation campground boasts limitless beauty with mountain peaks, alpine wildlife spotting and several varieties of birds.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
19 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 003 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 004 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Pull-through | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 010 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Some campsites overlook the river. There is one centrally located drinking water spigot. All parking spurs are gravel. Firewood can be purchased on-site. No electric hookups are available. Campers will find an old-fashioned steel tub bath at Brummel's Rocky Mountain Lodge about 10 miles south.
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 | Memorial Day weekend to The second Tuesday of September |
| Forest | Rio Grande National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but they must be made at least four days prior to your intended arrival date. |
| Fees | Single Site - $19 to $23/night. $12 for day use (picnicking). Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Antonito, travel west on Highway 17 approximately 24 miles to the junction of Highways 17 and 250. Turn on Highway 250 and travel 18 miles on a gravel road to Lake Fork Campground.
| Coordinates | 37.2997° N, 106.4667° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedMartinez Fall Rx
47 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 26.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Kristi's Mountain Sports ↗ | 33.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lake Fork Campground - Conejos River Colorado
Worth a stop
Take in spectacular views of the Conejos Canyon and River along Forest Road 250.
- 1.1 miBear Lake Trailhead. Trail 721 ↗Trailhead
- 1.6 miUpper South Fork Trailhead #720 ↗Trailhead
- 6.4 miKerr Lake Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 9.2 miSpectacle Lake Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 14.2 mi
Trails nearby
- 1 miLake Fork ↗15.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.7 miWillow Mountain ↗9.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.7 miBear Lake3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miAcascosa1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.3 miEmpedrado Lake ↗6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.8 miValdez2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 1.1 miBear Lake Trailhead ↗Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.1 miBear Lake Trailhead - Trail # 721 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
- 1.6 miUpper South Fork Trailhead - Trail # 720 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
- 2.7 miValdez Trailhead, Trail 717 ↗Rio Grande National Forest
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 Rio Grande National Forest.
- inRio Grande National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,937,280 acres
- 1.2 miSouth San Juan Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,997 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
Natural features
The campground is located in south central Colorado on the banks of the Conejos River. It is shaded by spruce, aspen and a few cottonwoods and willows at an elevation of 9,500 feet. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including black bears, deer and marmots. Wildflowers dot the region, creating colorful landscapes for photography enthusiasts.
Recreation
The campground is convenient to several trails, such as Lake Fork to Big Lake and Conejos Peak to Blue Lake. The Conejos River is a Gold Medal River, meaning it offers the greatest potential for trophy trout fishing. Rainbow and brown trout are the most common species in the river.
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 Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
Sites at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but they must be made at least four days prior to your intended arrival date. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
Single Site - $19 to $23/night. $12 for day use (picnicking). Fee envelopes and a collection box are provided near the entrance.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Memorial Day weekend to The second Tuesday of September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore have?
19 sites, including 19 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore?
The campground is convenient to several trails, such as Lake Fork to Big Lake and Conejos Peak to Blue Lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Lake Fork(Rio Grande Natl Fore is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Mix Lake Campground (5.8 mi, first-come), Stunner Campground (8 mi, first-come), and Alamosa Campground (8.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby