Transfer Campground
Transfer Campground, located approximately 11 miles north of Mancos, Colorado in the San Juan National Forest, is known for its access to many area recreation trails.
The group sites take reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come 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 | 12 |
| Equestrian | 4 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
17 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Pets | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H01 | Equestrian | Equestrian | Back-in | 99 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| H02 | Equestrian | Equestrian | None | – / No | No | No | |||||
| H03 | Equestrian | Equestrian | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | None | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| H04 | Equestrian | Equestrian | None | – / No | No | No | |||||
| 001- Group Site | TRANSFER GROUP CAMPGROUND | Group | Gravel | Partial | – / No | 30 / 10 | Yes | Yes | Standard | ||
| 001 | Transfer | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Transfer | Standard | None | – / No | No | No | |||||
| 003 | Transfer | Standard | None | – / No | No | No | |||||
| 004 | Transfer | Standard | None | – / No | No | No | |||||
| 005 | Transfer | Standard | None | – / No | No | No |
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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers 12 first-come, first-serve family sites and one overnight group site. The reservable group site has five double picnic tables, a large group area, a serving table and cooking grills. A vault toilet restroom is located near the group area. The 12 first-come, first-serve campsites offer one vault toilet and barrier free camping. Parking spaces are small, but can accommodate some RVs. Horses are not allowed in the campground, but there are corrals with five sites adjacent to the campground on Forest Road 561.
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 | Standard: Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 Group: Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | Standard: $24 Group: $75 |
| 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 Mancos, CO: travel 1/4 mile north on Hwy 184, turn right on West Mancos Road (Forest Road 561) and travel 10.5 miles to the campground. Most of the road is unpaved, but has a good gravel surface. PLEASE NOTE that the Horse Sites are located before reaching the campground on the opposite side of the road off FSR 561, a totally separate area.
| Nearest town | Mancos, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.4672° N, 108.2100° 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.
Fire nearby
- WildfireGold Mountain
50 mi from the campground · 39,747 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Backcountry Experience ↗ | 22.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Transfer Campground Southwest Colorado (2018)
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miRim3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 0.1 miDoc Lowell1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.1 miTransfer0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miBig Al0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miChicken Creek ↗6.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.6 miAspen Loop ↗34.9 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
This campground sits inside San Juan National Forest.
- inSan Juan National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,094,539 acres
- 9.2 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 at an elevation of 8,500 feet. Surrounded by whispering aspen and making for a great camping atmosphere, visitors will enjoy the sounds of birds and the occasional horse neighing in the corrals across the road.
Recreation
Recreational opportunities abound at and near this facility for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and ATV riding. Many campers bring their ATVs and motorbikes to ride on the Aspen Loop Trail (just 1/2 mile north of the campground). There are a number of trailheads nearby the campground, including Big Al Interpretive Trail, Rim Trail and Box Canyon Trail. More trails are available in the surrounding area including: Chicken Creek Trail, Morrison Trail, Gold Run Trail and West Mancos Trail.
Nearby
Visit the Jackson Gulch Reservoir, just six miles south of the campground for a relaxing day of fishing or hike one of the many trails nearby the campground. Visit the historic town of Mancos and learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited this area from approximately AD 1 to AD 1300.
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 Transfer Campground?
For some sites. The group sites take reservations. Single sites are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Transfer Campground?
Standard: $24 Group: $75
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Transfer Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Transfer 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 Transfer Campground 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 Transfer Campground have?
17 sites, including 12 standard sites without power, 4 equestrian sites, and 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Transfer Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Transfer Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Transfer Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Transfer 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. Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Transfer Campground?
Recreational opportunities abound at and near this facility for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking and ATV riding. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Transfer Campground?
Mancos, Colorado. Visit the Jackson Gulch Reservoir, just six miles south of the campground for a relaxing day of fishing or hike one of the many trails nearby the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Transfer Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Target Tree Campground (8.8 mi), Kroeger (9.6 mi, first-come), and Snowslide (9.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby