[design image slice] U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service on faded trees in medium light green background [design image slice] more faded trees

San Juan National Forest
[design image] green box with curved corner
[design image] green and cream arch
Home
About Us
Contact Us
Current Conditions
Education
FAQ
Fire
Jobs
Maps & Brochures
Natural Resources
Newsroom
Passes & Permits
Projects & Plans
Publications
Recreation
Volunteering
 

Find a Forest (NF)
or Grassland (NG)

USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-4874

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
970-385-1257
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

Recreation

West Dolores River Aspen, San Juan National Forest, Colorado
Copyright 2002, Tom Andrews, All rights reserved

Campgrounds

View a map of the Forest with the location of each campground designated by a number.

The key to the maps has information in tabular format about each campground: location, elevation, number and kinds of sites, miles to services, etc.

Refer to our campgrounds-status list for information about whether they are open or closed, cost, and available services.

Campground Reservations

Two of our campgrounds have campsites reservable for families: McPhee and House Creek Campgrounds, both on the Dolores Ranger District.

Four campgrounds offer reservable group sites: the Florida Campground Group Area and Chris Park Group Campground (on the Columbine RD) and the McPhee Campground Group Area, and House Creek Campground Group Area, on the Dolores RD.

To reserve sites at these locations, call ReserveAmerica toll free at (877) 444-6777; TDD, (877) 833-6777; fax (518) 884-7424; or go to www.reserveamerica.com.

Chicago Basin
Trip Planning Guide

This popular area in the Weminuche Wilderness contains three "14'ers" but has restrictions on camping and campfires.

Chimney Rock Archaeological Area

Seventeen miles west of Pagosa Springs, this ancient pueblo is open May 15—September 30, with four guided tours daily. Motor vehicle access with tours only.

Colorado Search & Rescue Card (You will leave the Forest Service web site.)

For $3 for one year or $12 for five years, this card covers costs incurred by search-and-rescue teams helping those caught in emergency situations in the backcountry. It is available from us by mail order at (970) 247-4874 and from stores throughout Colorado.

A current Colorado hunting or fishing license, or boat, snowmobile, or ATV registration, covers the same costs.

Recreation Facilities Analysis

The Recreation Facilities Analysis Proposed Plan of Work for the San Juan National Forest is now available.

 

Weed-Free Forage

Weminuche Wilderness
Trip Planning Guide

Useful information whether or not you visit this particular area

 

Don't Invite a Bear to Dinner: Bear Safety Regulations on the San Juan NF

[PDF file, 2 pages, 32 KB]

Fall Colors

The Fall color report for the San Juan National Forest will be posted here weekly.

Rocky Mountain Region Fall Color Report

Hunting

Three documents that hunters will find useful:

  • General Hunting Information 2008[PDF, 10 pages, 286 KB]: location and dates staffed of local hunting-information booth, deer/elk season dates, game-processing businesses, hunter safety classes, horse use, weed-free-hay sources and new regulations, Leave No Trace tips, and more.
  • Hunting Public Land 2008 [PDF, 2 pages, 186 KB]: camping, fires and wood, sanitation, outfitter-guides, Colorado Hiking Certificate, OHV use, firearms regulations, maps, important phone numbers, etc.
  • The Ins and Outs of ATV Use on the San Juan Public Lands, or How to Read the San Juan National Forest Visitor Map. And how to operate your ATV legally.

Jersey Jim
Fire Lookout Tower Rental

The Jersey Jim Lookout Tower [PDF, 6 pages, 830 KB] can be rented for one- or two-night stays from late May to mid October, weather permitting. The current rental rate is $40 per night. Rental fees are used to maintain the facility. Additional contributions are welcomed. Reservations can be made by calling (970) 533-7060 between 1 – 5 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, starting the first business day of each March (callers are advised to be aggressive in their dialing - the entire season is often booked in a couple of days that week).

1938 Lookout cookbook [PDF, 49 pages, 84 KB]

Maps & Brochures

We have several kinds of maps with information on attractions, facilities, services, trails, etc. Our brochures cover local recreation, wildlife, fire safety, and other information. Call (970) 247-4874 for details.

CDOW Habitat Stamp

Habitat stamp

The Colorado Division of Wildlife requires individuals to possess a habitat stamp to use Colorado State Wildlife Areas. Some of these areas share property boundaries with the San Juan National Forest. Areas affected are: Perins Peak, Williams Creek Reservoir, Joe Moore Reservoir, Haviland Lake, and Andrews Lake. For more information go to the CDOW website (You will be leaving the San Juan NF website.)

 

Plants

Visit this site for information on local wildflowers, ferns, trees, and noxious weeds (you will leave the San Juan National Forest Web site).

San Juan
Public Lands
Outdoor Recreation Hotline

Read the current issue.

Trails

Trail Closures/Special Conditions

  • The Elk Creek Trail (#503) within the Weminuch Wilderness has suffered damage during the winter of 2008. Approximately 1 1/2 miles up the trail, from the Elk Park train stop, the trail is impassable by livestock. The damage is about five feet in length; above the damage is a vertical wall of rock and below is Elk Creek. livestock will not be able to go around the damage. Foot users have been able to get across the area where the trail no longer exists although it is not easy. The Forest Service is determining what actions to take and will update this information as conditions change. There is no plan at this time to close the trail. Cross at your own risk.
  • The Forest Service was not able to get the Needleton Bridge reconstruction project done in the fall of 2007 as planned due to issues with the contractor. Faced with the possibility of losing the construction money if the project is not completed by September 2008, the Forest Service must now schedule the project this summer in order to get it done in time. Materials are being transported to the site, but no date has yet been set for the work on the bridge. When we have a definite date we will post it here. During that period the train will drop off and pick up hikers at Cascade Wye, which is 7 miles downstream from Needleton.
  • On the Vallecito Trail, the third bridge (counting from the South) crossing Vallecito Creek is gone due to an avalanche in the winter of 2004-2005. The avalanche debris was cleared from the trail in fall 2007. There are no plans at this time to replace the bridge, so it is necessary for hikers to ford the creek. Vallecito Creek is challenging to ford, and is especially dangerous during the spring runoff (mid May through Mid June). Please use good judgment and extreme caution if you choose to ford Vallecito Creek.
  • Trail closure affecting those planning to climb Wilson Peak in the Lizard Head Wilderness and/or hike through the Silver Pick Basin (Uncompahgre N.F.)
  • Affecting those planning to hike the West Fork Trail (561) -- the Beaver Creek Trail (560) has been closed to protect public health and safety in several steep sections where the trail tread has deteriorated to the point of not allowing for safe foot or livestock traffic. Closure begins from the top of the first set of switchbacks to Beaver Meadows.
Adobe Reader is needed to view the PDF files on this page Link to download Adobe Reader (free)

 

USDA Forest Service, San Juan National Forest
Web site comments? Please let us know.
Last modified October 07, 2008

USDA logo, which links to the department's national site. Forest Service logo, which links to the agency's national site.