4.5639 reviewsPrice
$10/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$10/night
Booking
First-Come
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Cathedral Campground
Embargo Creek Rd, Rio Grande National Forest, Colorado
Fall campers chasing peak aspen color (mid-September through early October) will find this place at its best. Grab a right-loop site for shade and seclusion, or a left-loop meadow site for elk watching. Creek-side spots fill fast on weekends, so arrive Thursday.
No potable water on-site means hauling everything in, and the rough single-lane dirt road shakes up sedans. Add zero cell service and no dump station, and anyone needing connectivity or full hookups should look closer to South Fork.
Reference information about Cathedral Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Cathedral Campground is northwest of Del Norte and northeast of South Fork, on Embargo Creek. It was remodeled in 2010 and now has 22 sites. 17 are dead end spurs and 5 are pull through sites. The sites vary from 35 to 45 feet in length. This campground is located in a mature aspen and spruce grove with a beautiful view of Cathedral Rock to the north. Embargo Creek flows alongside the east side of the grounds. There is ample fishing in Embargo Creek and hiking/horseback riding/mountain biking on Cathedral Creek Trail #794, Embargo Trail # 792 and Fremont's Camp Trail #885. Motorcycles may use both Cathedral and Embargo Trails. ATV’s are not allowed on the trails.The campground is composed of two large loops along Cathedral Creek. The left-hand loop features a large meadow and a few open sites. The right-hand loop has a dense Aspen and spruce (including Blue) forest and a more rustic feel. <strong>Scroll down to Information Center for individual site details.</strong></p><p>John Charles Fremont's winter camp is nearby. He attempted an ill-fated expedition across the Rocky Mountains for a transcontinental railroad route in late 1848.</p>
The elevation is 9,400 ft. The campground is composed of two large loops along Cathedral Creek. The left hand loop features a large meadow and a few open sites. The right hand loop has a dense aspen and spruce (including Blue) woods and a more rustic feel. John Charles Fremont's winter camp is nearby. He attempted an ill-fated expedition across the Rocky Mountains for a transcontinental railroad route in late 1848.
Open May 15 through November 15
The parking aprons are dirt and the interior road is rough. A RV waste station is available next to the Rainbow Grocery at intersection of US Rt. 160 and State Rt. 149 in South Fork, CO.
From South Fork, CO, take US Rt. 160 east 5.3 miles to Embargo Creek Rd. and County Rt. 18 signs. Turn left onto Rt. 18 and go 1.4 miles to a "T" intersection (County Rt. 15). Turn right onto Rt. 15 and go 0.3 miles to another "T" intersection (County Rt. 65). Turn left onto Rt. 65 and go 3.2 miles to "Y" intersection (Forest Rt. 640/650). Bear left onto Rt. 640 (dirt, single lane with no turnouts) and go 7.6 miles to campground sign. Turn right at sign into campground. NOTE: The majority of the county routes are dirt.
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Fall delivers the best conditions. Mid-September through early October brings peak aspen color and crisp mountain air, with daytime highs in the mid-40s to mid-60s°F and nights dropping into the 20s-30s°F. Crowds thin after Labor Day. The elk and deer rut creates good wildlife viewing opportunities, and cooler temperatures knock down mosquito activity. The campground stays open year-round, though spring snowmelt and winter storms can make access difficult. Summer days stay cool at this elevation.
Mid‑Sept to early Oct is peak aspen color and described as best conditions—destination fall viewing.
Cathedral Campground offers basic amenities amidst a serene natural setting. There are restrooms available on-site, but potable water is not provided. Each of the 22 campsites is equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, ensuring basic convenience for campers. Trash service is not available; visitors are required to pack out their garbage. The campground’s layout includes two loops, one with a dense grove of Aspen and spruce trees and a more rustic feel, and another with open sites near a large meadow.
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