The best camping near Mancos State Park

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

100% (1 reviews)
100% (1 reviews)

From summer kayaking to winter ice fishing, this lakeside getaway has activities for all seasons.  

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Community favorites near Mancos State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Mancos State Park

98%
(689)

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 5 times

HTR Durango

74 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Durango, CO
Nestled in a protected box canyon surrounded by high cliffs of Douglas Fir and Ponderosa Pine and just minutes to downtown Durango, HTR Durango, formerly Lightner Creek Campground, is located on a seasonal mountain stream, making it an ideal setting for nature lovers of all ages. The paved county road off HWY 160W to our campground is well maintained, making the 1.5-mile drive easily accessible, regardless of what you bring. Enjoy various recreational activities in the Durango area, including many hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing, river rafting, rock climbing, zip-lining, off-roading, horseback riding, shopping, dining, breweries, and much more. There is so much to see and do in the Four Corners Area! If you want a memorable vacation experience in Durango, look no further than HTR Durango. Dry Camping (October 14-31, 2024, May 1-15, 2025 and October 13-30, 2025): During dry camping, only RV sites are open, with no tents or cabins. The only water available is at the front of the park at the fill-up station. The RV sites do not have water or sewer, but they do have electricity. Our staff is available on-call.
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$35
 / night
99%
(108)

Linda M.’s Santa Rita Ranch

3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Durango, CO
Santa Rita Ranch is located in a rural, agricultural valley south of Durango, Colorado. Originally a dairy and hay farm, the Mannix's raised all organic beef in the past. Currently it operates as a hay farm and Linda has three horses and three donkeys. Very quiet rural area with plenty of open space. Elevation 6,000 ft. Learn more about this land: The 40 acre Santa Rita Ranch has hayfields, irrigation and plenty of room to camp. Located 20 minutes south of Durango Colorado it is quiet and peaceful. Good internet access!  Porta potty available. Only 20 minutes to two wineries: Foxfire Farms in Ignacio, CO and Wines of the San Juans near Aztec, NM.  Paddleboarding and windsurfing on Lake Nighthorse. Lots of mountain bike trails near Durango and good road biking on our CR 213. Flying into Durango? We have a tent and camp chairs for you! Horses and donkeys available to pet.  Horse boarding available for those traveling with their equine friends.
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$20
 / night
98%
(57)

Nakation Group Booking

11 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · La Plata, NM
Step out of your tent in the morning, and the sun kisses your cheeks... All of them. Private adult only (18+) Clothing Optional dry tent camping set on 20 rural acres. Book the entire campground for your Group Stay, for those who are looking for a private Getaway. Re-use, Re-purpose, Up-cycle... We are committed to making great treasures from one man's trash! Our sites have tables and chairs created from old tires. We are re-using old pallets to create tent platforms, benches and signs. Our little campground is primitive, but we are a work in progress, with amenities coming in the future. Property butts up against a large BLM area, with plenty of room to take a walk in the buff. We have an above ground pool if you would prefer to relax and skinny dip. Or if you're preferring to sight see, there are numerous places to go around our area. In New Mexico, in 45 minutes or less you can be at one of the following: Navajo Lake State Park, Aztec Ruins, Glade Run Recreational area, Jackson Lake Wildlife Refuge, Farmington Lake Recreational area. San Juan Quality Waters in the San Juan River offers world class fishing. The Animas River offers fun river floats. Chaco Canyon National Park is only 2 hours away. In Colorado, we are about an hour from these attractions: Mesa Verde National Park, McPhee Reservoir, Canyon of the Ancients, Lake Nighthorse Day Use Recreation area, Chimney Rock and Purgatory Ski Resort. La Plata Canyon has great mountain hiking and is only 30 minutes away. We look forward to assisting you in a memorable Getaway!
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$15
 / night

The best camping near Mancos State Park guide

Overview

About

Framed by lush pine forests and the distant peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Mancos State Park provides an idyllic setting for lakeside campers. The 225-acre Jackson Gulch Reservoir takes center stage—set sail across the lake, fish for yellow perch and rainbow trout from the banks, or paddle the shores in a kayak or canoe. Trails lead through the forests and hills, providing options for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, while winter visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing. Year-round camping and heated yurts are offered on both the north and south shore.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for year-round camping: The Main Campground has 22 sites for RVs and tents with easy access to the picnic area, boat launch, and trails.
  • Best for tent campers: The West Campground offers nine shady tent campsites located at the trailhead. 
  • Best for adventurous glamping: The park’s two yurts sleep up to six on comfy bunks and futons, and are heated for those frosty winter nights.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve one of the park’s 32 campsites or two yurts via the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. All sites must be booked in advance, but same-day reservations are possible (depending on availability).
  2. Campsite reservations open six months in advance. 
  3. Campsites can book up as fast, especially on holiday weekends and during peak season (June through August). Book a minimum of three months in advance for these times.

When to go

Mancos State Park’s main campground and yurts are open year-round with a range of seasonal activities. Boating is  possible from spring through fall—the boat ramp closes from mid-October until March (or until the last frost). Expect snow and freezing temperatures in winter, while summers have average highs between 79-84°F. Whenever you visit, come prepared—Colorado weather can be unpredictable.

Know before you go

  • Mancos State Park is located 33 miles west of Durango, or about a 40-minute drive away along the San Juan Skyway. The park also makes a good base for exploring the Mesa Verde National Park, 14 miles south. 
  • Facilities include restrooms, canoe and kayak rentals, fire pits, a boat ramp, and a dump station. Firewood is available to buy from the ranger station in summer.
  • Fire bans are possible at Mancos State Park during dry periods, and the boat ramp may be closed when the reservoir is low. 
  • You can bring your own boats and watercraft, but there is a no-wake policy on the lake. 
  • There is one wheelchair-accessible campsite at the Main Campground.

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