Ute Campground (Co)

Star4.29
106 reviews
17351 W HWY 160

Quick Facts

6,857 ft

Price

$22 - $100/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens USFS Pagosa Ranger District 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
Ute Campground (Co)
$22.00 - $100.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range from $22 per night for standard electric or non-electric sites to $100 per night for group sites. Additional reservation service fees may...
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Standard Site Fee$22.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$100.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
970-264-2268
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What Campers Say

4.29

Satisfactory

Based on 106 reviews

49 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sceneryquietcleanshade

"Reviews highlight Ute Campground as peaceful, clean, and well-maintained, with spacious sites and friendly camp hosts. Several users commend the proximity to Chimney Rock National Monument and the quiet, natural surroundings. "Very nice, basic campground," wrote one reviewer."

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Campground Map

17351 W HWY 160

Ute Campground (Co)

17351 W HWY 160

Driving directionsTravel west on U.S. Hwy 160 for 18.0 miles from Pagosa Springs, CO, and the campground is located on the north side of the highway.
The campground is directly accessible from Highway 160, offering easy access on and off the highway. No seasonal closures are indicated, and the road is paved.
Nearby places
Pagosa Springs (15 miles, ~20 minutes), Bayfield (25 miles, ~30 minutes), Arboles (18 miles, ~25 minutes)
Nearby supplies
Pagosa Springs (~20 minutes away) offers grocery stores, camping supplies, fuel, and other essentials. Bayfield (~30 minutes away) also provides access to similar amenities.

Best Time to Camp at Ute Campground (Co)

Summer brings the gift of crystal-clear Colorado skies and pleasantly moderate temperatures, making it the perfect time to explore the surrounding wilderness. Rain showers are refreshingly brief during peak season, allowing for uninterrupted outdoor adventures. As autumn arrives, crisp mornings give way to golden afternoons. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-dusted wonderland, though campers should come prepared for freezing temperatures and potential snow accumulation that adds a magical touch to the forest setting.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Open May–Sep; summer offers clear skies, moderate temps and peak access to trails and recreation.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Open through Sep 27; early fall offers colors and fewer crowds but campground closes after peak season.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Opens May 2; late spring has brief showers, wildflowers and improving access to trails.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed outside peak season; not available for winter camping.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 2nd to September 27th. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open for reservations from May 2nd to September 27th; first-come, first-served between June 21st and June 25th. Closed outside peak season.

About Ute Campground (Co)

Nestled in the shadow of the iconic Chimney Rock National Monument, Ute Campground beckons adventurers seeking a peaceful retreat in Colorado's high country. This thoughtfully designed primitive campground combines the best of both worlds—easy highway accessibility and a tranquil forest setting where towering pines create a natural canopy overhead. Each spacious site comes equipped with sturdy picnic tables, fire rings, and grills, inviting campers to settle in for memorable evenings under the stars while the ancient rock spires stand sentinel across the way.
Ute Campground caters to various camping styles, including tent and RV camping. It features 21 improved primitive sites and a group area that can accommodate up to 32 people. "Sites are large and have picnic tables and fire pits," wrote one user.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
  • 28 days at first-come, first-served sites
  • 12 days maximum for reservation sites.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Firewood available
Vault toilets
Group Sites

Activities you can enjoy

Ute Campground is a hub for outdoor recreation. It serves as the only access point to Forest Service land on Haystack Mountain and offers hiking trails with views of Chimney Rock National Monument. Wildlife viewing is also popular in the meadows surrounding the mountain. Nearby attractions such as Chimney Rock National Monument and Devil Mountain Trail Systems provide additional opportunities for hiking, ATV riding, mountain biking, motorcycle trails, stream fishing, and horseback riding. "Beautiful campsite with beautiful area. Great views of Chimney Rock if you hike up the hill," one reviewer praised.
HikingHiking opportunities include off-trail routes with views of Chimney Rock National Monument. "Sunset and sunrise views of Chimney Rock can be seen from off-trail hiking and roads within the park closed to vehicles," according to one review.
FishingFishing is available along the Piedra River with permits required, as well as fee-based fishing at Lake Capote on Southern Ute tribal land.
BikingNearby trail systems such as Turkey Springs and Devil Mountain offer mountain biking opportunities.
Wildlife viewingMeadows on Haystack Mountain offer opportunities for viewing wildlife. "The meadows on the mountain offer wildlife viewing opportunities," noted one user.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential wildlife hazards include rattlesnakes and garter snakes. Visitors should exercise caution with uneven terrain and avoid water hazards during rainy conditions.

Weather at Ute Campground (Co)

Reviews

4.3
106 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Ute Campground (Co) is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews highlight Ute Campground as peaceful, clean, and well-maintained, with spacious sites and friendly camp hosts. Several users commend the proximity to Chimney Rock National Monument and the quiet, natural surroundings. "Very nice, basic campground," wrote one reviewer.
Review Summaries
Based on 106 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects frequently mentioned include clean vault toilets, spacious and private campsites, good shade from large trees, and helpful camp hosts. "Campground was clean and quiet with beautiful...
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Based on 106 reviews

Common Concerns

Common concerns include uneven terrain for RV parking, limited facilities like no electricity or showers, and occasional road noise in lower-numbered sites. "The sites are somewhat uneven and would...
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Based on 106 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Tips include bringing leveling equipment for RVs, exploring off-trail hiking for views of Chimney Rock, and purchasing firewood from the camp host. "Be sure to check out Chimney Rock National...
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Based on 106 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews mention that the campground is less crowded during Labor Day weekend and mid-week stays. "Labor Day weekend and it was practically empty," one user noted.
Based on 106 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Clean pit toilets, big sites, good location, beautiful woods." "Beautiful campsite with beautiful area." "Nicely laid out campground with plenty of privacy between spaces." "Campground was clean and...
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Based on 106 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific site reviews include comments such as "Site 13, shaded and spacious" and "Site 21, close to Chimney Rock and well-maintained."
Based on 106 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility-related reviews consistently note that there are no handicap-accessible sites available.
Based on 106 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed at Ute Campground, with leashing required. "Pets are allowed at all sites, leashes are required," stated the authoritative description.
Based on 106 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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