The best camping near Lone Mesa State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lone Mesa State Park adventure.

Discover Lone Mesa State Park's scenic landscapes and exclusive hunting opportunities.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near Lone Mesa State Park

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Bright Star Campground

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, CO
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.
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$38
 / night
Booked 18 times

Junction West Durango

97 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Durango, CO
History of JW Durango Riverside Resort It all started in 1965… When this campground hosted its first guests the goal back then was simply to offer folks from around the Four Corners a place to relax and lounge along the Animas River. Today, the property boasts 73 quality RV sites, 24 cabins and 6 tent sites. We also have a heated pool, playground, convenience store, retail shop, game room, café with a large deck for dining, laundry room, paved roadways, two bath houses, and an observation deck overlooking the Animas. The property sits just south of Bakers Bridge, a local landmark made famous as the set of the climactic finale in the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” – where Paul Newman and Robert Redford sat along the rocky cliffs that line the river before they famously took the plunge. As the lifeblood of this community, the Animas River winds its way under that bridge and south toward historic downtown Durango. Everyone from whitewater enthusiasts and acclaimed fly fisherman to laidback locals in inner tubes enjoy the same flowing mountain waters miners have tapped for more than a century. Back in 1965, the population of Durango was just over 10,000 and La Plata County almost 20,000. Today, the city itself is home to 20,000 residents while the county is closing in on a staggering 58,000. As more and more people discover the beauty and majesty of the San Juan National Forest and surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks, the number of people flocking to the Four Corners region continues to grow. Whether hiking, biking, horseback riding, or four-wheeling this area has an endless number of adventures to uncover. Even if it takes a lifetime to explore some of the forgotten roads in this region, these outdoor experiences offer just a glimpse of what there is to do when you visit. People come from around the world to ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, listen to songs and stories from the Bar D Wranglers, hit the slopes at Purgatory Resort, or hug the guardrails along the legendary Million Dollar Highway. These are just a few of the reasons people continue to come back year after year, and generation after generation. Even here at Durango Riverside, we constantly listen to stories from guests who first came here as children and now return with their own. It really is easy to find places where you can experience some of the wonders this community has to offer. But, there’s only one place where you can relax and lounge along the Animas River with friends and family, making memories that will stick with you for generations – Durango Riverside.
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$59
 / night
99%
(38)

Zuma Bike Ranch & Camp in Cortez

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Cortez, CO
Zuma Bike Ranch invites you to ride.relax.repeat in the high desert of Dolores and Cortez Colorado. Surround yourself with views of Mesa Verde National Park, Sleeping Ute and the San Juan mountains straight from your tent or camper van. The ranch offers camping, and borders Phil's World mountain bike trail network. Our goal is to encourage community among campers and bikers and connection with the land and its rich history. Zuma Bike Ranch resides on native lands of Puebloan and Ute peoples. At Zuma Bike Ranch we provide professional mountain bike instruction and guided rides for individuals and groups. You have immediate access to over 60 miles of world class singletrack at Phil’s World trail network. More mountain bike trails can be found nearby at the Aquaduct trail system in Mancos, Boggy Draw in Dolores and Sand Canyon at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. In less than an hour you can be riding high alpine terrain with access to the Colorado Trail. We’re 45 minutes from Durango and 120 minutes from Moab, UT. We keep things simple at Zuma Bike Ranch. This is to minimize impact on the land and our environment. Each camp site can accommodate one vehicle and two tents. We have a nice rinse station, potable water source, and porta potty on site. There are no lights but there are plenty of stars! Please pack out what you pack in. Visit our website for questions or to book a group or private lesson.
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$40
 / night
100%
(35)

Lavender Farm Stay

3 sites · Lodging50 acres · Dolores, CO
Welcome to Mesa Verde Lavender! We are a working lavender farm with 1400+ lavender plants, a flower garden, vegetables, and a small orchard. Hike in the canyon that splits our property, roam with the birds in our pastures, pick some fruit if in-season, or sit and enjoy wildlife, sounds of the creek, and views of the La Plata Mountains, Sleeping Ute Mountain, and Mesa Verde. Our 50 acres is situated in Southwest Colorado between Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores. 5 minutes to Phil’s World for mountain biking, 1 hour to Durango, and 2 hours to Telluride. Pay for the experience - farm tour and all the fixings. The breakfast, stay and hospitality is included with the farm tour! Note: this is NOT a commercial campground; rather an agricultural business with a focus on all things lavender. Come adventure, smell the flowers (literally!), and enjoy feeling of these ancient healing lands!
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from 
$75
 / night

The best camping near Lone Mesa State Park guide

Overview

About

Lone Mesa State Park, a pristine expanse of nature, offers a unique blend of tranquility and adventure. With 11,760 acres of diverse terrain, visitors can immerse themselves in activities like hunting, wildlife watching, and participating in educational programs. The park's Special Use Permit program provides exclusive hunting experiences amid its rich habitats, while volunteer and stewardship programs offer deeper engagement with the park's conservation efforts.

When to go

The best time to visit Lone Mesa State Park is during the hunting seasons when access is granted through a Special Use Permit. Outside of these times, the park is not open for general visitation, making it essential to plan ahead. The park's unique programs and limited access create an exclusive atmosphere, ensuring a serene and crowd-free experience.

Know before you go

  • Access to Lone Mesa State Park is limited to those with a Special Use Permit, primarily for hunting.
  • For the latest park conditions and updates on access, contact the park office at (970) 533-7065.
  • Cell phone coverage within the park is spotty, so plan accordingly for limited communication.
  • Be aware of local fire restrictions and practice caution with any campfires in surrounding areas.
  • Check-in and Check-out at the Hunter Check-in Station is required for permit holders during hunting seasons.
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