How much does camping cost at Junction Creek Campground?

Camping fees at Junction Creek Campground range from $32-$150/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Junction Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Junction Creek Campground 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 Junction Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Junction Creek Campground has 4 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 Junction Creek Campground?

Junction Creek Campground 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 Junction Creek Campground?

Junction Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Junction Creek Campground have?

Junction Creek Campground has 185 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Junction Creek Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Junction Creek Campground?

Junction Creek Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Junction Creek Campground?

Popular activities at Junction Creek Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Junction Creek Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Junction Creek Campground?

Fire policies at Junction Creek Campground: 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.

4.65

451 reviews

1499 FDR 171, DURANGO, CO 81301, USA

Top 22% in COFall

StargazingGreat Hiking

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Colorado#2 Hiking Camping Colorado#2 RV Camping Colorado#2 +4 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,300 ft

Price

$32 - $150/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

185 campsites

Season

The extended summer ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,300 ft

Price

$32 - $150/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

185 campsites

Season

The extended summer ...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Electric

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Official Website

Get Directions

Junction Creek Campground

$32.00 - $150.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP PICNIC AREA: $150.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $125.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC- DOUBLE SITE: $82.00; STANDARD ELECTRIC: $45.00; STANDARD...

Group Site Fee$125.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

661-702-1420rlynd@goexplorus.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

1499 FDR 171, DURANGO, CO 81301, USA

Junction Creek Campground

1499 FDR 171, DURANGO, CO 81301, USA

Nearby places

Durango (6 miles, approximately 15-minute drive)

Weather at Junction Creek Campground

Current alerts(6)

Click here for more information on the San Juan National Forest
First Come First Served (FCFS) Campsites are also available at this campground
For general information about the San Juan National Forest, please call (970) 884-2512. Campsite availability is not available at this phone number
Nearest RV Dump Stations: Speedway Convenience Store, 20453 Hwy 160, Durango, CO 81301 Cortez RV Dump, 110 West Progress Circle, Cortez, CO 81321, 970-565-7320, Open May 1 to October 30

Best Time to Camp at Junction Creek Campground

Best season: fall. Fall delivers the best combination of crisp, sunny days and spectacular color as gambel oaks and late-turning aspens light up the hillsides, making hiking and photography exceptional. Expect daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F (10–16°C) and frosty nights in the 20s–30s°F (-6 to -1°C); wildlife activity (elk rut, deer movement) is at its peak and bird migration adds interest. Crowds drop significantly after the busy summer months, but services and reservations may wind down after the official peak (to Peak months: September, October, June, July Avoid: December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in CO

Fall offers best mix of weather and scenery; aspens and gambel oaks turn color and elk activity noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 08 to September 19. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The extended summer season will continue starting 9/27 through 10/18/2025, FCFS only campsites. No Water will be available during this time. Please plan accordingly. Restrooms and trash service will still be available. Host onsite.

About Junction Creek Campground

Junction Creek Campground sits in the San Juan National Forest just outside Durango, offering high-elevation alpine camping with electric hookups and vault toilets. Operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation, this very large campground features spacious, private sites spread across multiple loops, with Loop E providing electric service for RVs. Campers hike, fish, bike, and watch wildlife along Junction Creek and surrounding trails, with fall bringing peak elk activity and brilliant aspen color.

Junction Creek Campground caters to a range of camping preferences, including tent, RV, and group camping. Specific loops like Loop E offer electric hookups, making them suitable for larger rigs and RVs.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall delivers the best combination of crisp, sunny days and spectacular color as gambel oaks and late-turning aspens light up the hillsides, making hiking and photography exceptional. Expect daytime highs in the 50s–60s°F (10–16°C) and frosty nights in the 20s–30s°F (-6 to -1°C); wildlife activity (elk rut, deer movement) is at its peak and bird migration adds interest. Crowds drop significantly after the busy summer months, but services and reservations may wind down after the official peak (to Peak months: September, October, June, July Avoid: December, January, February

Elevation7300 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground cascades down a sun-kissed hillside where ponderosa pines and gambel oaks create a transitional forest ecosystem. Junction Creek runs through the area, providing water sounds and trout fishing opportunities. The south-facing slopes catch morning light and support diverse vegetation. At 7,300 feet, you're camping in a microclimate where montane forests meet higher elevations. Deer, squirrels, and occasional black bears move through the area. The underlying geology reflects volcanic origins and long erosion, visible in the ancient rocks throughout the campground.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo lodge-style accommodations are provided on-site, although group sites and picnic shelters are available.

Programs & ActivitiesNo educational programs are documented.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Group sites accommodate up to 50 people.

Groups

Group sites can accommodate up to 50 people for overnight stays and 65 for day-use, and are equipped with picnic tables, serving tables, campfire rings, grills, and access to recreational facilities like volleyball courts and horseshoe pits.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov, accessible via its website or mobile app.

AccessibilityThe campground includes accessible vault toilets and a large-group picnic shelter with electricity. Some reviews highlight convenient access to potable water and parking for RVs.

Site SizeThe campsites are large and spacious, with options for single, double, and group setups. Loop E sites are particularly praised for accommodating RVs and trailers.

PrivacySites are generally well-spaced, offering privacy due to tree cover and thoughtful layout. Visitors describe them as secluded and peaceful.

Total Campsites185 campsites

Recommended SitesElectric sites are preferred for RVs, especially in Loop E, which accommodates larger rigs. Tent campers should avoid slope-prone sites like C-9, which lack tent pads.

Best CampsitesSites E13, E9, and E2 get consistent praise for space and privacy. Loop E overall works well for RVs and trailers, with electric hookups and generally better cell reception than other loops. The eastern end of the campground tends to have decent Verizon service.

Need help booking Junction Creek Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

The Junction Creek Campground is well-equipped and offers both single and double-family campsites, many with electric hookups. Group sites are available, supporting up to 50 people for overnight stays and 65 people for day-use. Amenities include picnic tables, serving tables, campfire rings, grills, vault toilets, and potable drinking water. Specific features like horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, and accessible shelters enhance group camping experiences. Visitors praise the cleanliness of the facilities, especially noting the vault toilets as 'the cleanest public bathroom in general.' Despite lacking showers and full hookups, potable water is conveniently located near restrooms, although spigots are not threaded for RV tank hookups.

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Junction Creek Campground offers a variety of activities including hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and camping. The Colorado Trail, which begins nearby, is a centerpiece attraction for hiking and mountain biking, extending 500 miles to Denver. Fishing opportunities are available for rainbow and brook trout in Junction Creek and upstream.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at Junction Creek Campground. Vault toilets are provided and are praised as exceptionally clean and odorless.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyDon'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.

Trash & RecyclingTrash facilities are present, and reviews note that they are conveniently located and well-maintained.

Cell CoverageCell reception varies by provider (e.g., Verizon service is decent on the eastern end), and some loops like Loop E provide better coverage than others. Reviews indicate patchy signal and no Wi-Fi availability.

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

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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

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From Booking Sources

4.7

451 reviews

Top-Rated

Junction Creek Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Junction Creek Campground receives high praise for its spacious, well-maintained sites, exceptionally clean vault toilets, and proximity to Durango and the Colorado Trail. The dirt road leading to the campground is often criticized for its washboard condition, but most visitors find the overall experience worthwhile.

Review Summaries

Based on 451 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 451 reviews.

Loop ELoved
Loop E is consistently praised for its electric hookups, spacious sites, and suitability for RVs.
Site E8Loved
Site E8, a double site, is noted for its size but limited shade.

What Campers Love

Reviewers frequently highlight the cleanliness of the vault toilets, the helpfulness of camp hosts, spacious and private campsites, and the campground's peaceful setting. Electric hookups in Loop E...

Based on 451 reviews

Common Concerns

The gravel road leading to the campground is a recurring issue, described as extremely dusty and washboard. Some sites lack level ground, and solar panels may be limited due to tree cover. Cell...

Based on 451 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a booster for better cell service in Loop E. Come prepared with full water tanks for RVs, as spigots are non-threaded. Consider weekdays for quieter stays, and keep pets well-trained as...

Based on 451 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the busiest season, with some complaints about crowded sites and ATV noise. Spring and autumn provide quieter and more pleasant experiences, with fewer bugs.

Based on 451 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Vault toilets were the cleanest public bathrooms I’ve ever encountered.' 2. 'The hosts do rounds several times a day and keep everything immaculate.' 3. 'The road up is gravel and quite...

Based on 451 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessible parking and vault toilets are available. Large-group shelters are equipped with electricity, enhancing usability for disabled campers.

Based on 451 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are common but off-leash behavior is frequently noted. Responsible pet ownership is encouraged to maintain the campground's welcoming environment.

Based on 451 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want electric hookups in the San Juan high country with room to spread out and watch elk during the fall rut.

Skip if

You need level sites, smooth access roads, or reliable cell service for remote work.

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Lower Hermosa Campground

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Lower Hermosa Campground sits at 8,500 feet in the San Juan National Forest, offering 19 sites along a single loop for $18 per night. The campground is a basecamp for the Hermosa Creek Trail, a 25-mile route popular with hikers and mountain bikers. There's no potable water on-site, but vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables cover the basics.