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Recreation Region: San Carlos Ranger District

Purgatoire Campground

Activities on this developed campground include stream fishing, hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. The North Fork Trail #1309 trailhead is located on the north side of the campground. This trail is a nonmotorized trail, and you can access the Wildcat and the Coal Creek trails. These two trails dead end into private land and are not maintained. 

Dates are weather dependent. All services may not be available early or late in the season.

Current Conditions
This campground is open early May to late September, weather dependent.

Reservations

Make Reservations Here

Call 877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov at least four days in advance. A minimum stay on Friday and Saturday night is required on weekends. A three-night minimum stay is required on holiday weekends. Walk-ups are exempt from the nightly minimum.

General Information

Early May to late September 

Check in: 2 p.m.
Check out: 12 p.m.
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The Interagency Senior Pass and the Interagency Access Pass qualify for a 50% discount at concessionaire run campsites. The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass owner's party.

The following restrictions apply to this campground:

  • Pets must be on a leash at all times within the campground.
  • Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
  • Campfires are restricted to fire rings only. Be sure any campfire is completely extinguished before leaving.
  • No more than a 14-night consecutive stay is permitted in the campground.
  • Bears are common in the area, and a bear closure order is in place. All bear attractants, both food and nonfood items that can attract bears, should be kept in a bear-resistant manner. Bear bags, bear boxes and coolers within hard-sided vehicles are safer ways of storing attractants. Pop-ups, tents and open-top vehicles are not safe storage areas. Tips for camping in bear country are available from camp hosts.
  • A maximum of eight people, two tents and two vehicles are allowed per site.

$25 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles are included in the camping fee. $10 fee for a third vehicle. 

$10 fee for day use if not camping overnight.

Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. A self-service fee tube is available for on-site payment. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the first night.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Contact Name: San Carlos Ranger District

Contact Phone: 719-269-8500

San Carlos Ranger District office

Address: 3028 East Main Street Cañon City, CO 81212
Phone: 719-269-8500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 37.25399835

Longitude: -105.10929214

Directions

To get there from La Veta, Colorado, drive south on State Highway 12 for approximately 25 miles to County Road 34. Turn right onto County Road 34 and follow it for 4 miles until you reach the Purgatoire Campground.

Parking

Parking for two vehicles or one RV are allowed at each site. 

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

A hand pump is available. 

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

A picnic table, fire ring or grate and a pedestal grill are located at each site. 

Last updated May 30th, 2025