Transfer Campground
The Transfer Recreation Area includes a campground and a picnic area 11 miles northeast of Mancos.
The Transfer campground has 12 individual campsites (5 reservable), 1 group site (reservable) and 4 horse sites (2 reservable) in a mostly level aspen grove. All sites and restrooms are barrier-free, and most accommodate RVs. Although livestock is not allowed in the main campground, there are campsites for stock users outside the main campground on the opposite side of Forest Rd. 561, with 5 sites adjacent to a corral.
In addition, Transfer campground includes a large, reservable group site as well as a picnic area with 5 double picnic tables, large serving table, and cooking grills.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereGeneral 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.
Overnight Use
Single Site: $24 per night
Group Site: $75 per night
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: 37.4677
Longitude: -108.2094
Directions
From Mancos, CO: Travel 1/4 mile north on Highway 184, then turn right on West Mancos Road (Forest Road 561). Travel 10.5 miles to the campground. Most of the road is unpaved but has a good gravel surface.
Parking
Equipment with wheels (RVs, campers, cars) must fit in the parking spur. There is not any overflow parking available.
Max RV size = 45 ft
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Vault Toilet (3)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 allowed at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Picnicking - Single
General Hiking Info
Big Al Trail: A surfaced, barrier-free trail meanders 1/2 mile through a beautiful aspen forest ending at a deck overhanging West Mancos Canyon. Views are amazing. Interpretive signs point out flora and fauna, and there are benches for resting. The trailhead is across from the campground entrance.
West Mancos/Transfer Trails: Trailhead is adjacent to the Big Al Trail. Trails merge for the first 1/2 mile, dropping steeply into the canyon, then split, with West Mancos heading upriver, and Transfer heading downriver. Fishing may be good in the West Mancos River. West Mancos Trail follows the canyon to eventually end at the Sharkstooth Trailhead at the base of Hesperus Peak.
Rim Trail: starts at the West Mancos Overlook, on the right side of the road before the campground entrance. The trail heads south along the rim of the canyon until it joins up with the Box Canyon Trail.
Box Canyon Trail: a mile south on the West Mancos Road, drops down to the river about 1/2 mile from the road, however, a major water development for Mesa Verde National Park is underway where the trail meets the river.
Morrison Trail: Accessed near the campground corral on Forest Rd. 561. Trails merge for about 1/2 mile , then Chicken Creek heads to Mancos State Park and Jackson Reservoir, while Morrison Trail heads across Haycamp Mesa through Lost Canyon to merge with Bear Creek Trail, which has a trailhead on the Dolores River.
Gold Run Trail: Eight miles north of the campground on Forest Rd. 561, drops steeply into Bear Creek Basin to join with the Bear Creek Trail.
Sharkstooth Trail: The trailhead is near the foot of Hesperus Mountain near Twin Lakes, just off Forest Rd. 565. Motorized vehicles are not all
OHV Road RidingOHV Road Riding Info
Aspen Loop Trail: designed for ATVs and motorbikes and can be accessed about 1/2 mile past the campground on Forest Rd. 565. This 39-mile system of easy-to-moderate trails is a 3-5 hour loop for most off-road vehicles. Motorized vehicles must stay on trails identified for their use.
Cultural Sites/ExhibitsCultural Sites/Exhibits Info
Jersey Jim Lookout: It was named after an early cattleman who ran Jersey cattle in the area and later used as a fire lookout tower for the Forest Service between 1940 - 1970. It is now a historic site and can be rented for one or two night stays at the Jersey Jim Fire Lookout Tower.