Ute Campground
Ute Campground is located on US Hwy 160 across from Chimney Rock National Monument, 15 miles west of Pagosa Springs, 25 miles east of Bayfield, and 18 miles north of Arbolles, just west of the intersection with Colorado 151. Visitors enjoy quick access to Chimney Rock National Monument entrance and a centralized location to USFS trail systems, lake, and stream fishing.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Colorado · first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 20 |
| Group sites | 1 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites in 6 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | East Spur | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 02 | East Spur | Standard | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 03 | East Spur | Standard | Pull-through | 48 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | East Spur | Standard | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 07-Group | Lower North: Loop 1 | Group | Back-in | 18 | Gravel | No / No | 32 / 10 | Yes | Standard | |
| 05 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| 08 | Main: Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 27 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 09 | Main: Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 22 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Main: Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 11 | Main: Loop 1 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Dark sky | 3.1 miles from Chimney Rock National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
The campground is shaded with Ponderosa Pines and offers easy access to Highway 160. Sites are spaciously placed and all feature natural areas adjacent to the campsites. 21 sites offer improved primitive camping with picnic tables, fire rings, and some with additional grills. There is a Group Area with a maximum for 32 people featuring a group picnic area and 2 fire rings. There is one potable water station under pressure and two pairs of vault toilets. Maximum stay is 28 days at first come-first serve sites. 12 days maximum stay on reservation sites. Pets allowed, leashing required. No horses or pack animals allowed in the park.
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 can be made online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | Standard: $24 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
Directions from Pagosa Springs, CO: Travel west on U.S. Hwy 160 for 18.0 miles and campground is on north side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Bayfield, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37.2154° N, 107.2725° 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
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 11 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ski Barn ↗ | 33.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 50.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Ute Lake State Park/ New Mexico Campgrounds / RoamTownGirl Review
Worth a stop
The entrance to Chimney Rock National Monument is only 4 miles away on Colorado 151. It is centrally located between Turkey Springs Trail System and the Devil Mountain - Mule Mountain - Horse Mountain Trail Systems, featuring trails specific to ATV, motorcycle, mountain bike, hiking, horseback riding, along with stream fishing and a natural hot spring on the Piedra River. The Southern Ute Reservation allows access to fishing on tribal land at Lake Capote and the Piedra River with fee permits.
- 3.1 mi
- 7 miSheep Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 10.1 miFirst Fork Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 2.3 miMule Mountain ↗8.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 2.4 miGreat House0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 2.7 miMule Mtn. Spur 11.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.7 miMesa Village ↗0.3 mi trail · hiking
- 2.8 miKiva Spur ↗under 0.1 mi trail · hiking
- 3.1 miNature Trail Cutoff ↗0.05 mi trail · hiking
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
- 11.3 miWeminuche Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 497,111 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
On the National Register nearby
- Labo Del Rio BridgeStructure · Arboles · 12.1 mi
- Animas City SchoolBuilding · Durango · 14 mi
Natural features
Ute campground, named for and sharing land with the Southern Ute Nation is located along reservation borders situated at the base of Haystack Mountain facing Chimney Rock National Monument. The terrain is a hilly forest enviroment of Ponderosa pines, Gamble Oak, Rocky Mountain Juniper, Fragrant Sumac and meadows.
Recreation
Ute Campground is the only access to Forest Service land on Haystack Mountain. Hiking views of Chimney Rock National Monument.
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 Ute Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Ute Campground?
Standard: $24 Group: $100
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Ute Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Ute 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 Ute 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 Ute Campground have?
22 sites, including 20 standard sites without power and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Ute 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
Does Ute Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric and water hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Ute Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Ute Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Ute Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Ute Campground good for stargazing?
Chimney Rock National Monument, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 3.1 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Ute Campground?
Ute Campground is the only access to Forest Service land on Haystack Mountain. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation