Pagosa area camping

[Playa]

Planning a tent camping trip for our family the 1st week of Aug. I’ve kind of settled on the Pagosa area. Any recommendations on a scenic campground. I would prefer one with drinking water on site so I don’t have to haul it in, and momma probably wants a shower/toilet. My focus is a decent trout stream and trailheads.

what suggestions do you have??

[Jamvo]

We go up there every summer but stay in a vacation house. So I have not ever camped up there. But, just drive up Piedra road and there’s tons of spots. You’ll need to get with the forest service to figure out the logistics. Literally though drive up that road for streams, hiking, lakes, camping spots, atv trails, horse trails, RV spots, water falls, everything it sounds like you’re looking for. I’ve never had much luck fishing in that area. If you fly fish and hike in there I’m sure you can find a honey hole.

[Jamvo]

Also, there are toilets up there but no showers to my knowledge. There are places you can pay to take a shower in town. The smaller hot springs spa offers showers for a couple bucks.

[TexasTK]

I have caught plenty trout below Williams reservoir. Anywhere along the creek for miles below. Used to park near Castle Rock & work it from there. All you need is some Panther Martins or Roostertails & some hip waders.
Enjoy your trip.

[deano70]

we went up in that area when I was a kid and have wanted to go back ever since. Might put it on the calendar for late summer or early fall this year. lots of places to camp around there means it should be fairly public so you might have to get a little adventurous for a secluded site by the water.

[DFA]

If you find a good place to camp, post it up please. I have been wanting to camp out there for a long time. Thanks

[fish4food]

Plenty of camping in the San Juan National Forest, but don’t recall there being any toilets or showers.

[huntingtx]

Up by Creede you can camp on the Rio Grande Reservoir

[hft47]

If you want remote do some research on the tent camping options at Platoro, Co. Wife, daughter, and I stayed there a few years ago and loved it but we stayed in a rustic cabin. Fishing, hiking, and horseback riding are about all there is to do there but it is beautiful. https://www.uncovercolorado.com/towns/platoro/

[TX03RUBI]

East Fork Rd is what you seek minus the shower part. Several established campgrounds with toilets available, and the San Juan runs along the length of the road. Plus you can get to the Elwood Pass trailhead from there, which can get you anywhere in the San Juan’s if you’re good with a map.

[quarterback]

Most of the national forest campgrounds around Pagosa are fairly primitive. Seems like most may have some kind of toilet facilities but that's about it. We always camp in the national forest (free) so I'm not much help. Great area though, heading back in a few weeks.

[Sasqy]

Go up to Vallecito lake !