How much does camping cost at Chris Park?

Camping fees at Chris Park are $140 - $280/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Chris Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Chris Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Chris Park before I book?

Yes! Chris Park has 6 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Chris Park?

Chris Park is open May 08 to September 19. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Chris Park?

Chris Park does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Chris Park?

Fire policies at Chris Park: Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Chris Park have?

Chris Park has 3 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Chris Park?

Pets are not allowed at Chris Park. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Chris Park?

Chris Park offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Chris Park?

Popular activities at Chris Park include Hiking, Fishing, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Chris Park

4.88

22 reviews

Chris Park Road, San Juan NF

Top 8% in COSummer

Family Friendly

Featured in:Group Camping Colorado Beach Camping Colorado Spring Camping Colorado +4 more

Quick Facts

7,864 ft

Price

$140 - $280/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open from May 2, 202...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

7,864 ft

Price

$140 - $280/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

3 campsites

Season

Open from May 2, 202...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Chris Park

$140.00 - $280.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $280.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $140.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

Group Site Fee$280.00

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Provider

(661) 702-1420rlynd@goexplorus.com

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Campground Map

Chris Park Road, San Juan NF

Chris Park

Chris Park Road, San Juan NF

Nearby places

Durango, CO: 18 miles

Weather at Chris Park

Current alerts(3)

Check in: 2 pm, Check out: 12 pm (noon)
Click here for more information on the San Juan National Forest
For general information about the San Juan National Forest, please call (970) 884-2512. Campsite availability is not available at this phone number.

Best Time to Camp at Chris Park

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather for group camping and lake activities — expect warm, sunny days (typically 65–80°F) and crisp nights (mid-30s to low-50s). Haviland Lake and nearby trails are at their peak for boating, fishing, and family-friendly hikes, while long daylight and generally dry air make campfires and evening programs comfortable. Weekends in July and August are busier, so reserve early for group sites and plan for possible afternoon thunderstorms. Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 8% in CO

Listed as best season: warm days, reliable weather, peak season with lake and trail access.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 08 to September 19. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open from May 2, 2025 to September 27, 2025, and from May 8, 2026 to September 19, 2026.

About Chris Park

Chris Park sits in the San Juan National Forest near Durango at high elevation, operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation as a premium group camping destination. The very small campground offers vault toilets, potable water, and a picnic shelter ideal for weddings and family gatherings. Summer brings warm days and access to Haviland Lake for boating and fishing, plus nearby alpine trails.

Chris Park Campground is specifically designed for group camping and events. It features three group sites with amenities suitable for gatherings such as weddings and family reunions.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather for group camping and lake activities — expect warm, sunny days (typically 65–80°F) and crisp nights (mid-30s to low-50s). Haviland Lake and nearby trails are at their peak for boating, fishing, and family-friendly hikes, while long daylight and generally dry air make campfires and evening programs comfortable. Weekends in July and August are busier, so reserve early for group sites and plan for possible afternoon thunderstorms. Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation7864 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies level terrain dotted with ponderosa pines, creating a mix of sun and shade across open meadow spaces. Haviland Lake lies two miles away, offering water access and mountain views. The scattered tree cover means the area isn't heavily forested. The flat topography and open layout work well for large group gatherings but don't provide much seclusion between sites.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights maximum stay allowed.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Sites accommodate large groups, with Site 1 and 2 hosting up to 75 people each, and Site 3 up to 150 people.

Groups

The campground offers three group sites. Sites 1 and 2 can accommodate up to 75 people each, while Site 3 can accommodate up to 150 people. Site 3 includes a picnic shelter with electricity and grills, as well as a volleyball court.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and drinking water facilities are available. The campground is located on mostly flat terrain, which may assist individuals with mobility challenges.

Site SizeThree group sites are available. Sites 1 and 2 accommodate up to 75 people each, while Site 3 accommodates up to 150 and includes additional facilities.

PrivacyThe campground is located in a mostly flat, open area with scattered ponderosa pine trees providing some shade. It is not described as particularly secluded.

Total Campsites3 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 3 is recommended for larger groups due to its capacity (up to 150 people) and the inclusion of amenities such as a covered pavilion and grills.

Best CampsitesSite 3 handles up to 150 people and includes a picnic shelter with electricity and grills, making it the top choice for weddings and larger family gatherings. Sites 1 and 2 each accommodate up to 75 people. Reviewers specifically praise Site 3's shelter and cooking facilities for group events.

Need help booking Chris Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Chris Park Campground offers a range of amenities designed to cater to group events and large gatherings. "The campground offers three group sites." Group site 3 features a picnic shelter with electricity and grills, and is accompanied by a volleyball court nearby. All campsites provide picnic tables and campfire rings. "Vault toilets and drinking water" are available for all visitors. User reviews highlight the maintenance of the amenities, with one user stating, "The vault toilets were kept extremely clean!" and another noting that the fire pits were "amazing."

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

Things to do at Chris Park

Chris Park Campground provides a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, canoeing, and boating. Several nearby trailheads, including the Forebay, Goulding, Elbert Creek, and Purgatory Flats trails, offer options for hikers of various skill levels. The historic Rico-to-Rockwood Wagon Road runs through the campground, providing an additional recreational and educational opportunity.

Hiking4.0/5

Multiple nearby trailheads (Forebay, Goulding, Elbert Creek, Purgatory Flats) offer diverse hikes.

Fishing4.0/5

Haviland Lake <2 miles away with accessible fishing docks; fishing listed among activities.

Boating4.0/5

Boating and canoeing permitted on nearby 80-acre no-wake Haviland Lake.

Water Sports4.0/5

Canoeing/boating allowed on Haviland Lake (80-acre no-wake), suitable for kayaking.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing4.0/5High elevation (7,864 ft) in National Forest, open meadows and scattered pines favor dark-sky viewing.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Chris Park

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From Booking Sources

4.9

22 reviews

Top-Rated

Chris Park is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the campground's suitability for group events, its well-maintained facilities, and the friendliness of the camp hosts. Positive comments center on the cleanliness of the vault toilets, the excellent group amenities, and the beauty of the natural surroundings.

Review Summaries

Based on 22 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 22 reviews.

Site 3Loved
Site 3 is highlighted as the premier choice for large groups, with its picnic shelter, electricity, and grills receiving special mention.
Site 1Loved
Site 1 and Site 2 are praised but noted for their slightly smaller group capacity (up to 75 people each).

What Campers Love

Many users praise the cleanliness of the vault toilets and the general maintenance of the facilities. The picnic shelter and grills at Site 3 receive high praise, and the campground is considered...

Based on 22 reviews

Common Concerns

A few users mentioned issues with the camp host allowing other groups to use reserved sites and a decline in facilities maintenance during certain visits.

Based on 22 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Book Site 3 for larger gatherings, as it includes additional amenities like a picnic shelter with electricity and grills. Bring your own firewood to avoid transporting it between locations, following...

Based on 22 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer receives the most reviews, with users noting the excellent weather and suitability for group events. Autumn reviews also highlight the good conditions, but fewer reviews were documented for...

Based on 22 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The vault toilets were kept extremely clean!' - JEFF S\n2. 'Group campground site #3 is to kill for. It has a huge shelter and lots of picnic tables throughout the shelter.' - JOEL M\n3. 'The...

Based on 22 reviews

Accessibility Features

The campground's flat terrain and accessible vault toilets make it a good option for visitors with mobility challenges. The clean and well-maintained facilities were appreciated by all users,...

Based on 22 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Chris Park

$140.00 - $280.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP SHELTER ELECTRIC: $280.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $140.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

Group Site Fee$280.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(661) 702-1420rlynd@goexplorus.com

Go if

You're planning a group event or family gathering and want a high-elevation setting with lake access and a dedicated picnic shelter.

Skip if

You need guaranteed spotless facilities or want to avoid potential reservation conflicts at a small, premium-priced campground.

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Haviland Lake Campground

Haviland Lake Road, San Juan NF, Durango, CO, USA

Haviland Lake Campground sits at 8,700 feet in San Juan National Forest, 18 miles north of Durango. Rocky Mountain Recreation operates this large alpine campground with tent, RV, and primitive sites around a fishing and boating lake. Fall brings aspen color, elk activity, and fewer crowds, while summer draws families for lakeside recreation and access to surrounding trails.

Chris Park

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Chris Park

Campground Map

Weather at Chris Park

Current alerts(3)

Best Time to Camp at Chris Park

Planning Tips

About Chris Park

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Chris Park?

Amenities available

Things to do at Chris Park

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Featured in these camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Chris Park

Current alerts(3)

Best Time to Camp at Chris Park

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Chris Park?

Amenities available

Things to do at Chris Park

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns