Go if
You want high-elevation fishing and boating access with clean facilities and don't mind cool nights or afternoon thunderstorms.
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
4.63317 reviews13308 WEST HWY 160, DEL NORTE, CO, 81132, USA
Scenic ViewsFishingSummer Destination
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Quick Facts
9,500 ftPrice
$29 - $101/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
60 campsites
Season
Open season begins M...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsReal-Time Availability
Select a month, then check for open campsites
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Quick Facts
9,500 ftPrice
$29 - $101/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
60 campsites
Season
Open season begins M...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsBig Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
$29.00 - $101.00 / night
Campsite Fees
GROUP TENT ONLY AREA NONELECTRIC: $99.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday); RV NONELECTRIC- Double Site: $58.00 (+$2.00 weekend) (+$2.00 holiday); RV...
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Group Site Fee$99.00
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Provider435-245-6521customerservice@pmcparks.com
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13308 WEST HWY 160, DEL NORTE, CO, 81132, USA
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
13308 WEST HWY 160, DEL NORTE, CO, 81132, USA
Nearby places
South Fork (13 miles, approximately 20 minutes), Creede (approximately 30 miles, 45 minutes), Pagosa Springs (approximately 48 miles, 1 hour).
Weather at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
About Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
RV details
Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist
Skip if
You need shade coverage or want to avoid generator noise during the day.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p>Big Meadows is located in the San Juan Mountains in south-central Colorado, about 11 miles west of South Fork. The campground is lightly wooded with spruce trees, creating a beautiful meadow atmosphere. <br /><br />The Rio Grande National Forest spans 1.86 million acres in south-central Colorado. The Continental Divide runs for 236 miles along most of the forest's western border, presenting a myriad of ecosystems from alpine desert to dense wilderness.</p><p><strong>Natural Features</strong>:</p><p>The campground meanders up a mountainside above Big Meadows Reservoir in a series of 3 loops. As a sub-alpine region, the campground gets more snow melt and rainfall than the opposite side of the lake, resulting in plentiful wildflowers and aspens surrounding the campsites.</p><p><strong>Recreation</strong>:</p><p>An accessible fishing pier, located on the north shore of the reservoir, allows anglers to cast for rainbow, brown and brook trout. Hunting, boating and hiking are also popular pastimes. <br /><br />Hikers and horseback riders will enjoy the nearby, 6-mile Archuleta Trail. The trail accesses the Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest wilderness, which boasts the headwaters of dozens of major streams and rivers that feed into the Rio Grande and San Juan rivers.</p><p><strong>Facilities</strong>:</p><p>Each site has a campfire ring and picnic tables. Drinking water is available. <br /><br />The nearest dump station is 13 miles away, and a boat ramp is located on the north shore of the reservoir.</p><p>There is a picnic area adjacent to this campground.</p><p><strong>Nearby Attractions:</strong></p><p>The surrounding area has plenty to keep visitors busy, with attractions like Great Sand Dunes National Park, Native American ruins, the Continental Divide Trail and gold rush ghost towns. The Sangre de Cristo and San Juan Ranges are laced with trails for all levels of hikers.</p><p><strong>Fish Your National Forests:</strong> This site can be accessed by passenger car. Fish available include: Trout, Native Trout. Types of fishing available include: Wade, Shore, Non-motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, Bait. ADA accessible fishing access with fishing pier and boat launch</p>
About the campground
The elevation is 9,500 ft. The campground meanders up a mountainside above Big Meadows Reservoir in a series of overlapping loops. Removal of hazard trees in 2013 has opened the campground up providing great views but seriously limiting shade. It is suggested campers bring their own shade. The removal of confers has also encouraged wonderful displays of wildflowers and invigorated the Aspens. The boat ramp and Archuleta Trail are co-located across the reservoir from the campground. Firewood is available for a fee. This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques. Limited shade. It is suggested campers bring their own shade.
Seasons & access
Open May 26 through September 18 NOTE: Lower loop remains open through hunt seasons.
Facilities
Big Meadows Reservoir is 600 acres and is a no-wake lake. Hiking: Lakeshore trail (foot) - 1.5 miles Cascade Falls Trail (foot) - 0.25 miles Archuleta Trail #839 (horse and foot) - 6 miles accesses the Weminuche Wilderness Fishing: Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout - There is a fishing pier.
Water activities
Big Meadows Reservoir is 600 acres and is a no-wake lake.
RV information
The parking aprons are gravel. The pull-throughs can accommodate any size RV.
Directions
In South Fork, CO, at intersection of State Rt. 149 and US Rt. 160, take Rt. 160 west 11.6 miles to Big Meadows Reservoir sign. Turn right at sign and go 1.4 miles to "Y" intersection (Forest Rt. 410). Bear left onto Rt. 410 and go 0.4 miles into campground.
- National Forest
- Grande National Forest
- Ranger District
- Divide
- Elevation
- 9500
- Rate
- $20 per day - single $40 per day - double
- Maximum Stay
- 14
- Open Season
- Memorial Day weekend – The second Monday of September.
