Within a 30-minute drive from the West Entrance Booth - 134A.
Best in Colorado: 3rd place
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2024.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Big rig-friendly
Spacious, level camping well-suited for travel trailers over 40 ft long.
We have COMPLIMENTARY Wifi, Drinking Water, Ice, Hot Showers, Bathrooms, Shade, and an equipped Camper's Kitchen for our guests to enjoy from April 15 - Oct 15!
There are TIPIS, CAMPING CABINS, TENT and BOONDOCK SITES. WE ALSO HAVE A NAVAJO HOGAN (wood yurt) OPEN-YEAR ROUND. All of our sites are not listed here. We can also accommodate groups and small events but not public events. We have a private covered group site as well.
Bright Star Campground: Once used as a church camp, it is now a Campground for all to enjoy!
We are a perfectly located vacation campground on 40 acres with amenities and wide-open spaces. Amenities include hot showers, an equipped community kitchen, a pavilion with hammocks, tables, ping pong, etc. Enjoy complimentary coffee, eggs, filtered drinking water and more.
Bright Star Campground is located in the Great Sage Plain in the shadow of Mesa Verde National Park with panoramic mountain/mesa views of the Four Corners region, all only 5 miles southeast of Cortez.
We are in an arid desert climate. Water is scarce, stored in cisterns for use in camp. Because of this we ask that you be conservative with water use in camp.
We are a cannabis-friendly destination but ask that Cannabis use stay at your campsite, cabin or tipi.
There are many things to do/see nearby: Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients, Hovenweep National Monument and Phil's World Mountain Biking. Raft down the Dolores river, maybe rent a SUP or kayak and chill on a quiet reservoir. There are museums and cultural centers in the area as well.
Durango is 45 min, Telluride is 1.5 hrs away, and Moab is about 2.5 hours away-including Arches and Canyonlands National parks.
The best/nearest airport is in Durango. Cortez has Denver Air (Key Lime Air) with connections to Denver and Phoenix. The nearest large international airport is in Salt Lake City or Albuquerque.
The campsite offers a mix of serene desert beauty and practical amenities, making it a popular choice for those looking to relax and explore nearby attractions like Mesa Verde. Guests appreciate the clean facilities, well-maintained grounds, and helpful hosts, with many highlighting the stunning views and peaceful atmosphere. However, some visitors noted issues such as barking dogs, bumpy access roads, and a lack of shade or picnic tables at some sites. Overall, it’s a well-regarded spot for stargazing and enjoying the tranquility of nature.
The camp site was well maintained and spread out. The land is outside the city so we could see the stars and didn't have any traffic noise. It only took a few minutes to get into town.
Thanks Robin and the welcoming person I spoke with by phone on arrival! I didn’t meet any of the crew, self check in, everything was seamless. I was in Cortez for 3 days as a base to visit other areas and mainly relaxing in the Hogan mornings and eves. I loved it! Hope to visit again and have a campfire which time didn’t allow. Showers were great, generator power a bonus, and the experience of space, the best.
Terrific host- very helpful- I was there in offseason and not nice weather - just a quick stop but it seems like it would be lovely to spend a day or two . Lovely options- shower was terrific and kitchen area looked great although I didn’t use it -
Great site that is very remote. Awesome views of Mesa Verde and the grounds are well maintained. Highly recommend this place.
Location
Cortez, Montezuma, Colorado, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Diné Bikéyah, Pueblos, and Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) First Nations according to