Blanco River Group Campground
Blanco River Group Campground is located four miles off U.S. Highway 84, on Forest Road 656. It is about 15 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs, on the Blanco River. The campground is a convenient stopping point between the towns of Chama, N.M. and Pagosa Springs, Colo. Secluded and quiet, the campgound is an ideal place for family and friends to gather.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | – / No | Riverfront | 100 / – | 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 | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers one group site that is made up of several single campsites. They must be reserved at the same time for group use. Four parking spurs are suitable for large RVs and ample space is available for tents. The campground is equipped with three picnic areas with large tables, vault toilets and drinking water. The Blanco River Group Campground is a convenient stopping point between Chama, New Mexico, and Pagosa Springs, about 15 miles southeast of Pagosa Springs. This group campground offers one group site, accommodating up to 100 people but no individual sites. The river bottom area is fairly level, and 4 sites are suitable for large-sized RVs (max size = 35ft). Several large ponderosa pines offer shade, but the area is quite warm in summer. This spot is quite a gem as visitors get a mile of river to themselves, along with 15 acres of forest fenced off to play and camp in. Anglers cast for stocked trout on the lightly fished waterway. Amenities include trash pick-up, fire grates, horseshoe pits, and a volleyball court but campers must bring their own net and ball.
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 |
| Booking | Reservations required. Available online at Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. |
| Fees | $120 |
| Rules | Max RV size = 35 ft |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Pagosa Springs, Colorado, travel 13 miles south on Highway 84, then turn east on Forest Road 656 for approximately two miles.
| Nearest town | San Juan Nf, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.1453° N, 106.8831° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
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. 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. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedGolondrino Rx
50 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 40.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Blanco State Park Revealed: A Texas Riverside Adventure!
Worth a stop
Three nearby trails access the roadless area to the east of the campground. The Navajo Peak Trail and V-Rock Trail can be reached from the Buckles Lake Road (Forest Road 663), which is located about seven miles south of the campground via Highway 84. The Blanco Basin Road (Forest Road 657) accesses the Leche Creek Trail.
- 4.2 miBuckles Lake Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 6.4 miLeche Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 3.1 miBlue Creek Winter ↗16.6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.1 miPorcupine Winter ↗9.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.1 miBuckles Lake1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.2 miV Rock4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.3 miNavajo Peak ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 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
South San Juan Wilderness begins about 6.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 6.2 miSouth San Juan Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,997 acres
- 11.7 miRio Grande National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,937,280 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 situated on the banks of the Blanco River, surrounded by ponderosa pine and cottonwoods. The trees offer shade, but the area is quite warm during the summer months. The riparian environment is fairly level with a few adjacent grassy meadows.
Recreation
The Blanco River can be accessed from the campground, offering good fishing. Anglers cast for stocked trout on the lightly fished waterway. A volleyball court is located within the campground, but campers must bring their own net and ball.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Blanco River Group Campground?
Sites at Blanco River Group Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations required. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Blanco River Group Campground?
$120
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Blanco River Group Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Blanco River Group Campground?
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.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Blanco River Group Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Blanco River Group Campground have?
1 site, including 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Blanco River Group Campground?
Blanco River Group Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Blanco River Group Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Blanco River Group Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Blanco River Group Campground?
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. Max RV size = 35 ft
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Blanco River Group Campground?
The Blanco River can be accessed from the campground, offering good fishing. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Blanco River Group Campground?
San Juan Nf, Colorado. Three nearby trails access the roadless area to the east of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Blanco River Group Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are East Fork Campground (15.8 mi), West Fork Campground (20.7 mi), and Ute Campground (22 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby