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You want a tidy high-elevation base camp for spring hiking with helpful hosts and don't mind road sounds.
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Price
$24/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
25 campsites
Season
Season opens May 9, ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$24/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
25 campsites
Season
Season opens May 9, ...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
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Learn more about alerts →Target Tree Campground
San Juan NF, Colorado, USA
You want a tidy high-elevation base camp for spring hiking with helpful hosts and don't mind road sounds.
You need quiet isolation or plan to visit outside the seasonal operating window.
Reference information about Target Tree Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Target Tree Campground, located between Durango and Mancos off Highway 160, has 28 sites on a south-facing hillside overlooking Thompson Park. There are 17 barrier-free sites. Many sites are shady, but can be hot on sunny days. Most large and pull-thru sites require mechanical leveling of RVs.</p><p>Three campsites have corrals for overnight camping with horses. </p><p>The campground's group campsite group site has been converted into individual sites and is no longer available as a group site. </p><p>Services include potable water, trash pickup, composting vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire grates. There are no electrical hookups, dump station, firewood, or showers.</p>
The elevation is 7,800 ft. The campground is a single loop that meanders up a hillside and then down again among Ponderosa pine and Gamble oak. The campground is adjacent to US Rt. 160 and is well located for day trips to Durango, Mancos and Mesa Verde National Park. It is also popular for bird watching. The campground was the "Ivikukuch" camp for the Ute Indians - some Ponderosa pines bear large oval scars where the Utes scraped sap and cambium from the trees for soup, stew and tea. Firewood is available from the host for a fee.
Open May 4 through September 4
The parking aprons are gravel. A RV waste station is available for a fee at gas station at intersection of US 160 and State Rt. 184 in Mancos. There is potable water.
From Mancos, CO, take US Rt. 160 east 8.8 miles to campground sign. Turn left at sign onto gravel road and go 0.3 miles to campground.
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Best season: spring. Spring delivers the best combination of mild daytime temperatures (roughly 55–70°F) and cool nights (30–40°F), making long hikes and ridge-top mountain biking comfortable without summer heat. Wildflowers, newly leafed Gambel oak and active wildlife make wildlife viewing especially rewarding, and trails are noticeably less crowded than peak summer. Early-season clarity also gives great vistas toward Thompson Park and distant mesas. Peak months: June, May, September, July Avoid: October, November, December, January
Spring described as 'sweet spot' with mild temps, wildflowers and active wildlife; strong positive reviews.
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Target Tree Campground offers a variety of amenities suited for individual, group, and equestrian camping. Located at a scenic elevation of 7,643 feet, it provides vault toilets, potable water, trash collection, picnic tables, fire rings, and two divided corrals for equestrian campers. The individual sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, while the group site accommodates up to 50 people and 10 vehicles. The campground is well-maintained and frequently praised for its cleanliness. Several user reviews emphasize the diligence of the camp host in maintaining spotless vault toilets and grounds.
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Pulled from per-site mentions in 164 reviews.
Site 019 (Loop A) is noted for significant road noise, while sites like 006 (Loop A) and 013 (Loop A) are praised for privacy and cleanliness.
Site 025 in Loop B is highlighted as accommodating for larger rigs, such as a 36' fifth wheel.
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