Cayton Campground
Cayton Campground, located off Highway 145 north of Rico has 27 campsites and 3 picnic sites along the Dolores River. Two loops offer a choice of sites. The lower loop near the river has 14 mostly level spots with limited shade and 3 day-use picnic sites. The upper loop is gently sloping with 13 sites. Both loops have pull-throughs and shady tent sites.
There are 16 reservable sites, 11 with an electrical hookup, 30 amp. Of the remaining 11 first-come, first-serve sites, 5 have an electrical hookup.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereGeneral Information
Mid-May through September. For specific open / closure dates, visit recreation.gov.
Check-in time: 2:00 pm
Check-out time: 12:00 pm
If the site is empty, campers may come in anytime.
Quiet time is typically between 10pm - 6am. Please be a good neighbor and limit use of generators to no more than one hour at a time.
Standard: $30
Electric Site Charge: $11
Reservable (R) and First-come, First-serve (FF) sites available.
Maximum number of people per site: 8
Dogs must be leashed or otherwise physically restrained. Do not leave pets unattended.
Address: 29211 Highway 184 Dolores, CO 81323
Phone: (970) 882-7296
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 37.7708
Longitude: -107.9777
Directions
From Rico: Travel 6 miles north on Highway 145. The entrance is 1/2 mile east of the highway on the Barlow Creek Road (Forest Rd. 578).
From Dolores: Travel 43 miles north on Highway 145. The entrance is 1/2 mile east of the highway on the Barlow Creek Road (Forest Rd. 578).
Parking
Equipment with wheels (RVs, campers, cars) must fit in the parking spur. There is not any overflow parking available.
Max RV size = 50 ft
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single
Fishing - River/Stream Info
Dolores River: Because of Cayton's easy access to Colorado Hwy. 145 and the Dolores River, fishing is very popular. There is plenty of fishing along the river, but it may be crowded on summer weekends.
OHV Road Riding Info
Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to 4WD vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road behind Durango Mountain Resort and leads to U.S. Highway 550.
San Juan Skyway: For motorists, motorcycle riders, and road cyclists, Hwy. 145 between the campground and Telluride offers some of the most majestic scenery along the San Juan Skyway, including views of the "14'ers" west of the highway above Telluride.
Hiking Info
The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass.
Lizard Head Wilderness and Cross Mountain Trail near Lizard Head Pass lead to alpine basins surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks.
Priest Gulch Trailhead, 11 miles southwest of Rico, leads to the alpine country to the west.
Bear Creek Trail, 14 miles south of Rico, heads southeast into the La Plata Mountains.