Graham Creek Campground

Star4.65
152 reviews
SAN JUAN NF
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

7,900 ft

Price

$32/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

233246 campsites

Season

Open May 9 to Septem...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Rocky Mountain Recreation site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Graham Creek Campground
$32.00 - $32.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Peak season rate for standard nonelectric sites is $32.00 per night. Displayed rates do not include discounts, taxes, or incremental charges.
Standard Site Fee$32.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
(661) 702-1420Trevor@rockymountainrec.com
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What Campers Say

4.65

Top-Rated

Based on 152 reviews

42 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanlakefriendly

Some mention

unlevel

"User reviews generally praise the beauty and cleanliness of Graham Creek Campground. Positive themes include the friendly hosts, clean facilities, and privacy between campsites. Complaints center around uneven terrain, vault toilet odor, and certain sites being inaccessible for RVs."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

SAN JUAN NF

Graham Creek Campground

SAN JUAN NF

Driving directionsFrom Bayfield, travel 14 miles north on County Road 501. Turn right on County Road 501A at the fire station; travel over the dam and continue just over 3 miles to the campground.
Entrance and exit roads are steep and narrow, with challenging turns. "The road coming in is not very wide, and you will be on your brakes the whole way." (Review by Amy Graham).
Nearby places
Bayfield: 14 miles, approximately 30-minute drive.
Nearby supplies
Bayfield offers groceries, restaurants, fuel, camping supplies, and a laundromat. It is a 30-minute drive away.

Best Time to Camp at Graham Creek Campground

Summer days at Graham Creek unfold with warm sunshine and comfortable mountain air, though the afternoon skies can transform dramatically when thunderstorms roll through the peaks. These spectacular mountain storms arrive with little warning, turning blue skies to dramatic gray as rain cascades down in torrents. Seasoned campers know to pack rain gear and secure their sites, as one visitor memorably noted after getting caught in a downpour: 'Make sure you have a rain cover—it was pouring cats and dogs.' The quickly passing storms often leave behind crystal-clear evenings perfect for stargazing.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.5 / 5

Summer heavily favored in reviews for water activities, hikes and wildlife viewing.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Aspen country and late-season open dates suggest strong fall color and hiking; season ends Sept 20.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens in May; spring can be muddy with drainage issues noted in wet-weather reviews.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is closed outside the May 9–Sept 20 reservable season.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 9, 2025 - September 20, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open May 9 to September 20 during the reservable season.

About Graham Creek Campground

Perched high above the shimmering waters of Vallecito Lake, Graham Creek Campground beckons adventurers to experience the raw beauty of southwestern Colorado's San Juan National Forest. This mountain retreat seamlessly blends breathtaking scenery with endless recreational opportunities, from casting a line into pristine waters to exploring rugged hiking trails that wind through ancient forests. Whether you're seeking solitude among the pines or launching your boat for a day on the lake, Graham Creek serves as your gateway to authentic Colorado wilderness adventure.
Graham Creek Campground accommodates tent and RV camping, with certain sites offering lake views and varying sizes. "Some campsites to accommodate trailers and some for tents," notes Amanda G.
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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights within rolling 30 days.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Graham Creek Campground offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, swimming, and boating. Wildlife viewing and scenic trails further enhance the experience. "Water activities and fishing were perfect," notes Wendy D.
HikingMultiple trails are accessible from Graham Creek Campground. The North Canyon Trail and East Creek Trail offer diverse hiking experiences across aspen and ponderosa pine forests. "Hiked the North Canyon Trail, very pretty at the top," writes William V.
FishingFishing is a popular activity at Vallecito Lake, with anglers targeting species like German brown trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and northern pike. "Didn't have much luck fishing but will try again when we have more time," says Jolene B.
SwimmingSwimming is possible but reviews note rocky conditions and shallow depths near the shore. "The lake is about waist deep for the first 30’ & very rocky," writes Amy Graham.
BoatingBoating, water skiing, and canoeing are popular at Vallecito Lake. Rentals are available around the lake, enhancing accessibility.
Wildlife viewingWildlife sightings include deer and osprey chicks, noted by guests like Gary C: "Deer at site. Really enjoyed seeing the osprey chicks."
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNarrow roads, steep terrain, and free-range cows. "Critters will take unattended food."

Weather at Graham Creek Campground

Reviews

4.7
152 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Graham Creek Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews generally praise the beauty and cleanliness of Graham Creek Campground. Positive themes include the friendly hosts, clean facilities, and privacy between campsites. Complaints center around uneven terrain, vault toilet odor, and certain sites being inaccessible for RVs.
Review Summaries
Based on 152 reviews

What Campers Love

Common highlights from user reviews include friendly hosts Paul and Louise, clean facilities, and scenic views of Vallecito Lake. Quotes include: "Absolutely beautiful campground" (Karen E), and...
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Based on 152 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints focus on uneven terrain, odor from vault toilets, and issues with quiet hours. "Vault toilets were not ventilated properly," writes Kristin K, while Alboa Dawson notes, "Some campers abuse...
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Based on 152 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend watching site-specific YouTube videos for better planning and bringing leveling equipment for RVs. "Videos of the campground are on YouTube so do your research," advises Coach Lamb.
Based on 152 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are favored for recreation, reflected in reviews praising water activities, hikes, and wildlife viewing. Complaints increase during wet weather due to muddy conditions and poor drainage...
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Based on 152 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Hosts are friendly and maintain the camp well" (Faith J); "Bathrooms were super clean" (Penny B); "Vault toilets smelled fowl" (Russell D); "Some campers abuse the 'quiet time' hours" (Alboa Dawson).
Based on 152 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific reviews praise sites #4, #5, #20, and #23 for privacy and proximity to amenities. Examples include Coach Lamb: "#4 is a spacious lot with lots of privacy," and GL NCO: "We loved our...
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Based on 152 reviews

Accessibility Features

Vault toilet accessibility is noted, but uneven terrain at certain sites may limit ease of use for mobility-impaired visitors.
Based on 152 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are welcome, and the area offers ample room for them to roam. "We always have the dogs with us and they like to cool off in the lake," writes Marjorie D.
Based on 152 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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