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Recreation Region: Columbine Ranger District

Lower Hermosa Campground

The Lower Hermosa Campground has 19 sites. Although horses are not allowed in the campground, the adjacent Lower Hermosa Creek Trailhead has an area with a horse corral for overnight horse camping, as well as hitching posts.

Reservations

19 sites available, all firest come, first serve

General Information

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.

Campground - $18
All sites are First-come, First-serve (FF) sites.

Maximum number of people per site: 8

Dogs must be leashed or otherwise physically restrained. Do not leave pets unattended.

Columbine Ranger District Office

Address: 367 Pearl Street Bayfield, CO 81122
Phone: (970) 884-2512
Hours: Friday only, 10:00am-4:30pm (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 37.455613

Longitude: -107.857679

Directions

From Durango, CO: Travel north on Highway 550 for approximately 14 miles. Turn left (west) at Hermosa onto County Road 201 which becomes Forest Rd. 576. Head approximately 4 miles to the campground entrance.

Lower Hermosa Campground area map

Parking

The parking lot is large enough for vehicles and horse trailers.

Equipment with wheels (RVs, campers, cars) must fit in the parking spur.  There is not any overflow parking available.

Max RV size = 30 ft

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

 Please note, there is no water available at this campground. 

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Horse/Pack Animal Information

Horse/Pack animals are not allowed at this site.

Horses are not allowed in the campground but the adjacent Lower Hermosa Creek Trailhead has an area with a horse corral for overnight horse camping, as well as hitching posts. 

Recreation Opportunities

Hiking Info

Hermosa Creek Trail #514 begins at the parking lot and follows the creek approximately 25 miles uphill through the Hermosa Special Management Area to Upper Hermosa Trailhead. The trail is singletrack with some steep dropoffs. This multiple-use trail is very popular for mountain bikers, horseback riders, hikers, fishermen, and singletrack motorized users.

Last updated May 2nd, 2025