
19
Total Campsites
Campground
19
Reservable Sites
Check by phone
—
Accessible
ADA-compliant sites
—
Organization
Managing agency
Overview
About TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND
Overview Target Tree Campground is located 7 miles east of Mancos on the north side of Highway 160 at an elevation of 7,643 feet. It is the ideal camping spot for day trips to Mancos, Durango and Mesa Verde National Park. The name, "Target Tree," refers to the Ute Indians' use of the area to harvest sap and bark from Ponderosa pines as food supplements. They also used the trees for target practice, leaving several scarred trees throughout the area. Recreation Visitors may enjoy taking a short, accessible interpretive trail to view a historic target tree. The campground is also known for its great birding opportunities, with a sign in the campground that lists species found in the area. The Narrow Gauge Trail begins within the campground and climbs 3.4 miles to an old railroad grade. The rails were placed just three feet apart to allow trains to navigate through the rugged mountains. Facilities Visitors may enjoy taking a short, accessible interpretive trail to view a historic target tree. The campground is also known for its great birding opportunities, with a sign in the campground that lists species found in the area. The Narrow Gauge Trail begins within the campground and climbs 3.4 miles to an old railroad grade. The rails were placed just three feet apart to allow trains to navigate through the rugged mountains. Natural Features The campground sits on a south-facing hillside overlooking Thompson Park. A Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak forest provides shade in many sites. The area is hot during the summer, but cools off significantly at night. Nearby Attractions Southwestern Colorado, part of the Four Corners region, contains over 4,000 archaeological sites and over 600 cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde National Park is 1 hour and 45 minutes south, close enough for a day trip. Other sites within a few hour's drive include the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Canyon of the Ancients and Hovenweep National Monument. 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. Group Sites Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use 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.
- 19 total campsites listed.
- Most common site type: standard nonelectric (17).
- Map coordinates are available for trip planning.


Our Take
What makes TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND special
Perched at 7,643 feet in the San Juan National Forest, Target Tree Campground sits just seven miles east of Mancos, Colorado, in a landscape steeped in both natural beauty and cultural history. The campground takes its name from centuries-old ponderosa pines that still bear the distinctive bark carvings made by Ute Indians — trail markers that once guided travelers through these high mountain corridors. The elevation keeps summer temperatures pleasantly mild, and the surrounding mixed-conifer forest provides welcome shade and a constant soundtrack of wind through the treetops. The real draw for many visitors is the campground's proximity to Mesa Verde National Park, making it an affordable and far less hectic base camp for exploring the famous cliff dwellings and archaeological sites just a short drive away. From late May through September, the area is ideal for hiking, wildlife watching, and photography. Wildflower displays along nearby trails peak in July. Families with children will find the campground approachable and well-suited for first-time camping adventures, while history buffs and archaeology enthusiasts can spend days exploring the cultural treasures of the Four Corners region. Whether you come for the ancient stories carved into the trees or the world-class ruins down the road, Target Tree delivers a uniquely layered Colorado camping experience.
Campsite Inventory
19 sites to choose from
STANDARD NONELECTRIC
17
Reservable
0
Accessible
EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC
2
Reservable
0
Accessible
Amenities & Details
Everything you need to know
Campfire Allowed
No, Yes
Site capacity
Single
Check-in time
2:00 PM
Check-out time
12:00 PM
Condition Rating
Good, Prime, Standard
Double Driveway
No, Yes
Driveway entry
Back-In, Pull-Through
Driveway Grade
Moderate, N/A, Slight
Driveway length (ft)
30, 40, 45, 48
Driveway surface
Gravel
Grills/Fire Ring
Yes
Location Rating
Good, Prime
Max Num of Horses
2
Max guests
8
Max vehicle length (ft)
25, 32, 35, 40
Minimum guests
Yes
Pets allowed
Yes
Picnic Table
Yes
Reservations & Contact
Plan your stay
Getting There
From Mancos, take U.S. Highway 160 east for 8.8 miles. Turn left at campground sign and follow the gravel road for 0.3 miles to the campground. From Durango, take U.S. Highway 160 west for 20 miles to the campground sign. Turn right and the follow gravel road for 3 miles to the campground.
FAQ
Common questions
Everything you need to know before your trip to TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND.
How do reservations work for TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND?
Reservation availability for TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.
What campsite types are available at TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND?
TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (17), EQUESTRIAN NONELECTRIC (2).
Where is TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND located?
TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND is in Colorado. Coordinates: 37.3409, -108.1880.
Keep Exploring