
16
Total Campsites
Campground
16
Reservable Sites
Check by phone
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
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Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About CAYTON CAMPGROUND
Overview Cayton Campground is located along the San Juan Skyway (Colorado Highway 145) and the Dolores River. Visitors enjoy the area for its great fishing, hiking and scenic driving opportunities. Recreation The Dolores River is a popular fishing destination that can often be crowded on summer weekends. Anglers will find rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. The area boasts some excellent trails. The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass. The Lizard Head and Cross Mountain Trails near Lizard Head Pass lead to alpine basins surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks. The Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to four-wheel drive vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road, behind Durango Mountain Resort, and leads to U.S. Highway 550. Facilities The Dolores River is a popular fishing destination that can often be crowded on summer weekends. Anglers will find rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. The area boasts some excellent trails. The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass. The Lizard Head and Cross Mountain Trails near Lizard Head Pass lead to alpine basins surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks. The Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to four-wheel drive vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road, behind Durango Mountain Resort, and leads to U.S. Highway 550. Natural Features The campground is situated near the banks of the Dolores River, in a grassy meadow surrounded by fir and aspen trees. At an elevation of 9,400 feet, campers should expect cool evenings. Nearby Attractions The Priest Gulch Trailhead, 11 miles southwest of Rico, leads to the alpine country west of the campground. The Bear Creek Trail, 14 miles south of Rico, heads southeast into the La Plata Mountains. Other nearby trails include the Calico National Recreation Trail and the Rico-Silverton Trail. Highway 145, which runs between the campground and Telluride, offers some of the most majestic scenery along the San Juan Skyway, including views of the " 14ers ," which are peaks over 14,000 feet. Charges & Cancellations Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
- 16 total campsites listed.
- Most common site type: standard electric (11).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes CAYTON CAMPGROUND special
Strung along the banks of the Dolores River near the old mining town of Rico, Cayton Campground occupies one of the most scenic corridors in all of Colorado. The campground sits directly on the San Juan Skyway, the celebrated loop drive along Highway 145 that winds through high passes, red-rock canyons, and mountain meadows between Durango, Telluride, and Cortez. Simply driving to camp is half the adventure. The Dolores River runs right alongside the campground, offering easy access for trout fishing from the bank or wading into riffled pocket water. Hikers will find trailheads nearby that lead into the surrounding San Juan National Forest, where wildflower displays in July and aspen color in late September are nothing short of extraordinary. The town of Rico, just minutes away, has a small-town charm and a handful of services for resupply. Cayton offers a comfortable number of well-spaced sites set among spruce and aspen groves, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Vault toilets are available, though hookups are not. Elevation is around 9,000 feet, keeping summer temperatures pleasant and nights cool enough to warrant a warm sleeping bag. The campground is generally open from late May through late September. Reservations are a good idea for weekends in July and August. This is an outstanding home base for anyone looking to explore the San Juan Skyway at a leisurely pace.
Campsite Inventory
16 sites to choose from
STANDARD ELECTRIC
11
Reservable
0
Accessible
STANDARD NONELECTRIC
5
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Campfire Allowed
Yes
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
2:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Condition Rating
Good, Prime
Driveway entry
Back-In, Pull-Through
Driveway Grade
Slight
Driveway length (ft)
30, 42, 43, 45
Driveway surface
Gravel
Electricity Hookup
30 amp
Fire Pit
Yes
Grills/Fire Ring
Yes
Location Rating
Good, Prime
Max guests
8
Max vehicle length (ft)
30, 42, 43, 45
Minimum guests
Yes
Pets allowed
Yes
Picnic Table
Yes
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
mandy@rockymountainrec.com
Getting There
From Rico, travel northeast on Colorado Highway 145 for 6 miles. Turn right (east) on Forest Road 578 (Barlow Creek Road). The campground entrance is a half-mile further.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to CAYTON CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for CAYTON CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for CAYTON CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at CAYTON CAMPGROUND?
CAYTON CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD ELECTRIC (11), STANDARD NONELECTRIC (5).
Where is CAYTON CAMPGROUND located?
CAYTON CAMPGROUND is in Colorado near Rico. Coordinates: 37.7714, -107.9772.
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