Cayton Campground
Cayton Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145) and the Dolores River. Visitors enjoy the area for its great fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities.
More like this: electric hookups in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 19 |
| Standard, no hookups | 8 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
27 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 8 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Loop A | Electric | Pull-through | 70 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 11 | Loop A | Electric | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | No / No | Riverfront | 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 |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers 27 single-family campsites, many of which are situated along the river. Eighteen sites offer electric hookups. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
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 | Mid-May to September |
| Forest | San Juan National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations are available at www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Standard: $27 Electric Hookup: $36 |
| 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 Rico, travel northeast on Colorado Highway 145 for 6 miles. Turn right (east) on Forest Road 578 (Barlow Creek Road). The campground entrance is a half-mile further.
| Nearest town | Rico, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.7714° N, 107.9772° 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. 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. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
Fire nearby
- WildfireGold Mountain
25 mi from the campground · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
- PrescribedHigh Mesa Piles Rx
41 mi from the campground · 324 acres
- PrescribedTransfer Rd Rx
49 mi from the campground · 139 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Telluride Angler ↗ | 14.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 26 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cayton Campground - San Juan National Forest
Worth a stop
The Priest Gulch Trailhead, 11 miles southwest of Rico, leads to the alpine country west of the campground. The Bear Creek Trail, 14 miles south of Rico, heads southeast into the La Plata Mountains. Other nearby trails include the Calico National Recreation Trail and the Rico-Silverton Trail. Highway 145, which runs between the campground and Telluride, offers some of the most majestic scenery along the San Juan Skyway, including views of the " 14ers," which are peaks over 14,000 feet.
- 2.8 miCross Mountain Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2.6 miEast Fork ↗7.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.7 miMcJunkin1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.7 miGroundhog Stock Dr ↗13.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miCross Mountain3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miWinter ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
- 2.9 miCalico North ↗6.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more · national_recreation_or_other
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.8 miCross Mountain Trailhead ↗San Juan 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 San Juan National Forest.
- inSan Juan National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,094,539 acres
- 0.7 miLizard Head Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 41,531 acres
- 13.2 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated near the banks of the Dolores River, in a grassy meadow surrounded by fir and aspen trees. At an elevation of 9,400 feet, campers should expect cool evenings.
Recreation
The Dolores River is a popular fishing destination that can often be crowded on summer weekends. Anglers will find rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. The area boasts some excellent trails. The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass. The Lizard Head and Cross Mountain Trails near Lizard Head Pass lead to alpine basins surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks. The Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to four-wheel drive vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road, behind Durango Mountain Resort, and leads to U.S. Highway 550.
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cayton Campground?
Sites at Cayton Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations are available at www.recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cayton Campground?
Standard: $27 Electric Hookup: $36
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cayton Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Cayton Campground?
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Cayton Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Mid-May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cayton Campground have?
27 sites, including 19 standard sites with power and 8 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cayton Campground?
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
Does Cayton Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Cayton Campground?
Vault toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cayton Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cayton Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cayton Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Cayton Campground?
The Dolores River is a popular fishing destination that can often be crowded on summer weekends. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation