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RV campers and kayakers who want shade and privacy will prefer Loop C over Loop A. The 72°F Rainbow River is the main draw, so plan a weekday or shoulder-season visit to avoid the weekend crush on the water.
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Price
$2 - $18/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
60 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Pets Allowed
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
$2 - $18/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
60 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Pets Allowed
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Learn more about alerts →RV campers and kayakers who want shade and privacy will prefer Loop C over Loop A. The 72°F Rainbow River is the main draw, so plan a weekday or shoulder-season visit to avoid the weekend crush on the water.
Tent campers dealing with ant problems and sun exposure have flagged this as uncomfortable in summer. No dump station on-site and no cell service or wifi makes it a hard sell for anyone needing connectivity or longer stays without a dump hookup.
Context for the broader area surrounding Rainbow Springs State Park Loop C, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
Recreation at Jackson Gulch Reservoir (Mancos State Park) is managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Western Colorado Area Office - Southern Division, Durango, Colorado. <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=156">Jackson Gulch Dam</a> was completed in 1950 and is the principal feature of the <A HREF="https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=347">Mancos Project</a> in southwestern Colorado. An inlet canal from the West Mancos River feeds the small reservoir which is an off-stream storage impoundment with 4 miles of shoreline. The reservoir is located 5 miles north of Mancos, Colorado, and 10 miles from Mesa Verde National Park, a World Heritage Site. The reservoir provides important recreation, fish and wildlife benefits; it has about 36,000 visitors per year. The average elevation is about 7,800 feet above sea level. Call 1-800-678-2267 for camping reservations.
Take U.S. Highway 160 west from Durango, Colorado to the intersection of State Highway 184 in Mancos, a distance of about 27 miles. Turn right and take State Highway 184 north from Mancos for 1/4 mile, then turn right on County Road 42 to the intersection of County Rd. N, a distance of about 5 miles. Turn left on County Road N for 1/4 mile to the Mancos State Park entrance.
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Spring offers the best combination of comfortable temperatures (mid-60s to mid-80s°F) and excellent water clarity for swimming, snorkeling, and tubing. The spring-fed water stays in the upper 60s to low 70s°F, which feels refreshing without the extreme humidity of summer. Wildlife is active and vegetation is lush. Early summer works well if you don't mind heat and humidity; the cool spring water offsets warm air temperatures. Summer weekends and holidays draw heavy crowds to the river and headspring, so weekdays or shoulder seasons (late fall, winter, early spring) are quieter. Winter is cooler and more comfortable for camping, though spring water temperatures remain constant year-round.
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
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Family campsites are equipped with an in-ground grill, picnic table, water and electric, and have access to a centrally located bathhouse. Primitive camping areas (youth/adult and Sweetwater Lake backpack sites) have primitive restroom facilities and a campfire circle; cabins in the group area have no electricity and the group area includes two bathhouses and a dining/recreation hall.
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