
15
Total Campsites
Campground
—
Reservable Sites
Mostly first-come
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND
Overview Graham Creek Campground is situated above Vallecito Lake, in the scenic San Juan National Forest of southwestern Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its beautiful scenery and wide range of recreational activities, including boating, fishing and hiking. Recreation Vallecito Lake is a very popular fishing destination, where anglers cast for German brown trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. The lake offers great boating, water skiing and canoeing opportunities. Boat rentals and fishing licenses are available at various locations around the lake. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are found in the area. The North Canyon Trail begins across the road from the campground and leads through ponderosa pine and aspen forests on its way through the canyon. A shorter trail leads to a scenic overlook of the lake. East Creek Trail begins a quarter-mile up Forest Road 852, just northeast of the campground. The trail provides access to a lightly used, scenic drainage where fly-fisherman cast for brook trout. Both trails are popular with horseback riders, however, horses are not allowed in the campground. Facilities Vallecito Lake is a very popular fishing destination, where anglers cast for German brown trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and northern pike. The lake offers great boating, water skiing and canoeing opportunities. Boat rentals and fishing licenses are available at various locations around the lake. A variety of hiking and horseback riding trails are found in the area. The North Canyon Trail begins across the road from the campground and leads through ponderosa pine and aspen forests on its way through the canyon. A shorter trail leads to a scenic overlook of the lake. East Creek Trail begins a quarter-mile up Forest Road 852, just northeast of the campground. The trail provides access to a lightly used, scenic drainage where fly-fisherman cast for brook trout. Both trails are popular with horseback riders, however, horses are not allowed in the campground. Natural Features Vallecito Lake, Spanish for "little valley," sits at an elevation of 7,900 feet. Scattered ponderosa pine trees tower over the open campground, offering limited shade. Hillside sites are about 100 yards from the high-water line and offer nice lake views. A thick understory provides privacy between sites. Thickets of willow separate the camping area from the lakeshore. Several short trails lead to the lake from the campground. High peaks of the San Juans are visible to the northwest of the campground. 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.
- 15 total campsites listed.
- Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
- Most common site type: unknown (15).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND special
Perched above the shimmering waters of Vallecito Lake in the San Juan National Forest of southwestern Colorado, Graham Creek Campground offers a high-country retreat surrounded by some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the state. The campground sits at the upper end of the Vallecito valley, where thick stands of spruce and aspen frame views of the rugged Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado's largest wilderness area and a magnet for serious backpackers and horseback riders. The lake below is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and swimming during the warm months, and the trailheads near camp provide direct access to wilderness routes that climb into alpine basins and past cascading creeks. Anglers will find excellent opportunities for trout in both the lake and the feeder streams that tumble down from the surrounding peaks. Graham Creek offers a moderate number of sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The setting feels more secluded than some of the busier campgrounds closer to the lakeshore, making it a solid choice for those who prefer a quieter atmosphere. The season runs from late May through September, with July and August being the busiest months. Reservations are recommended during peak summer weekends. At this elevation, afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, so plan to have rain gear handy and set up camp early in the day.
Campsite Inventory
15 sites to choose from
Unknown
0
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
Driveway entry
Back-In, Pull-Through
Driveway Grade
Moderate, Severe, Slight
Driveway length (ft)
25, 30, 35, 38
Driveway surface
Gravel
Grills/Fire Ring
Yes
Location Rating
Good, Prime
Max guests
8
Max vehicle length (ft)
25, 30, 35, 38
Minimum guests
Yes
Pets allowed
Yes
Picnic Table
Yes
Privacy
Yes
Proximity to Water
Lakefront
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Trevor@rockymountainrec.com
Getting There
From Bayfield, travel 14 miles north on County Road 501. Turn right on County Road 501A at the fire station; travel over the dam and continue just over 3 miles to the campground.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND?
GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND currently lists Unknown (15).
Where is GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND located?
GRAHAM CREEK CAMPGROUND is in Colorado. Coordinates: 37.3903, -107.5400.
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