Mcphee Recreation Complex
McPhee Recreation Complex is located on the south shore of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities.
More like this: electric hookups in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 23 |
| Standard with electric | 13 |
| Tent-only | 8 |
| RV, no hookups | 4 |
| Group sites | 4 |
| Host/management | 45 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
52 sites in 4 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAGE GROUP | GROUP | Group | 35 | Paved | No | – / No | 50 / 30 | ||||
| MOQUI GROUP | GROUP | Group | 35 | Paved | No | – / No | 40 / 10 | ||||
| Yucca Group | GROUP | Group | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | No | – / No | 25 / 10 | Yes | Standard |
| Cactus Group | GROUP | Group | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No | – / No | 50 / 10 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | JUNIPER | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | No | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 017 | JUNIPER | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 018 | JUNIPER | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 019 | JUNIPER | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | No | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 027 | JUNIPER | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | No | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 001E | JUNIPER | Electric | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | – / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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 | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
This large campground offers group sites, RV and tent sites, some of which have electric hookups. Several sites have shelters for shade. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are flush toilets. The McPhee Campground has 71 campsites on 2 loops with paved access. There are 50 reservable campsites, 24 sites with electric hookups, and 2 sites offer tables and toilets accommodating wheelchairs. A dozen campsites are walk-ins with tent pads near scenic overlooks. The adjacent McPhee Group Area has 4 group campsites available for reservation (with limited electrical hookups). There are volleyball posts, a ball field, and horseshoe pits (you supply the equipment).
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 (limited services Sept - Nov) |
| Forest | San Juan National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations available online at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Standard: $27 Electrical Hookup: $36 Group: $100 |
| 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
From Dolores, take Highway 145 for 2 miles, turn right onto Highway 184. Travel 4 miles on Highway 184, turn right at the McPhee Recreation Complex entrance. Proceed on Road 271 to the campground.
| Coordinates | 37.5000° N, 108.5500° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Backcountry Experience ↗ | 39.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
McPhee Recreation Complex Campground - San Juan National Forest, CO
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miCan Do1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miMcPhee Overlook Spur0.05 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miSage Hen Loop ↗12.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miMcPhee Overlook ↗8.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miSage Hen Cutoff0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.7 miBlack Goat0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
Canyons of the Ancients National Monument begins about 10.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 10.7 miCanyons of the Ancients National Monument ↗National Monument · Bureau of Land Management · 182,568 acres
- 13.6 miMesa Verde Wilderness ↗Wilderness · National Park Service · 8,500 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated on a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir, at an elevation of 7,400 feet. Pinyon and juniper trees offer shade throughout the campground.
Recreation
McPhee Reservoir, the largest within the San Juan National Forest and second-largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline. Boating, water skiing and fishing are popular activities. A boat ramp and fish cleaning station are located within the complex. The half-mile Can Do Trail climbs to a scenic overlook with panoramic views of the reservoir and the beautiful peaks surrounding Mesa Verde to the south.
Nearby
Southwestern Colorado, part of the Four Corners region, contains more than 4,000 archaeological sites and more than 600 cliff dwellings. Many sites offer glimpses of the ancient Anasazi culture for which the area is known. Anasazi Heritage Center is 10 minutes away in Dolores. Mesa Verde National Park is one hour south of the campground. The Canyon of the Ancients is an hour southwest and Hovenweep National Monument is an hour west.
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 Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Sites at Mcphee Recreation Complex are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations available online at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Standard: $27 Electrical Hookup: $36 Group: $100
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Mcphee Recreation Complex open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September (limited services Sept - Nov).
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Mcphee Recreation Complex have?
97 sites, including 23 standard sites without power, 13 standard sites with power, 8 tent-only sites, and 4 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
The longest site here provides 50 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
Does Mcphee Recreation Complex have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are flush toilets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mcphee Recreation Complex. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Mcphee Recreation Complex?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map