Camp CO - Secret Grove
Investigated a discreet primitive track off the main forest road near Henderson Lake, and it winds up a short hill and through trees to reveal a lovely secluded campsite. Compact four-wheel drive required.

Camp CO - Switchback
Small, but lovely campsite tucked in the trees along the ridge just off of a forest road switchback. Accessible in any vehicle. Wonderful views to the northwest.

Diné Grill
Good place to stop if passing through Gallup for hearty fry bread and Navajo quisine.

Gas Station
A large gas station in Show Low, Arizona, for diesel fill en route to New Mexico.

Camp CO - Ridge Top 2
Along a primitive forest road spur, this is likely the nicest, most private dispersed campsite on the mountain close to Hermosa. Compact four-wheel drive required.

Road Degrades Here
Beyond this point to the northeast, the forest road degrades considerably. Requires four-wheel drive with decent ground clearance.

Bagel Shop
A small, privately owned bagel shop cafe. Good place for coffee and breakfast in Show Low, Arizona.

Camp CO - Lakeside Cluster
A cluster of spacious dispersed campsites on the east end of Henderson Lake, accessible via a primitive spur. Remote and good availability. Accessible in any four-wheel drive vehicle. Possibly mud and mosquitoes due to lake.

Camp CO - Ridge Top 1
A small but very nice campsite along a forest road spur. Compact four-wheel drive required. Larger vehicles will endure scratches.

Camp CO - Secluded Saddle
A small campsite just off of the forest road, hidden in a wooded saddle along a ridge. Remote and private. Accessible in any four-wheel drive vehicle.

Dry Lakebed
Appears on map as Wallace Lake, but the basin is dry and the lakebed resembles a grassy meadow.

McDonald’s
Shannon made me go here.

Kayak Take-Out (unofficial)
An unofficial grassy area that serves as a good place to take your kayak or pack-raft out of the Animas River in Durango, Colorado. Feasible to walk to a public transit station from here.

Junction
Unknown primitive track to the east. Likely a dispersed campsite spur.

Lime Mesa Terminus
The forest road terminates here. There is a parking area for a hiking trailhead, and also a few high-elevation dispersed campsites at this location. Thin vegetation and lovely scenery. High-clearance four-wheel drive required.

Gas Station
Diesel fill in La Plata, New Mexico, en route to Colorado.

Junction
Driving uphill, the left continues to a dry lake bed, the right goes to a nice dispersed campsite.

Parking Area
Small parking area near the top of a primitive forest road spur for hiking and scenery. Access dry lake bed in basin.

Gas Station
A very good Maverick with diesel, and RV dump and fill. We go here frequently.

Henderson Lake
High elevation lake or reservoir with some fishing and camping opportunities nearby. Very remote, but accessible in any vehicle.

Grocery Store
Outside of Durango to the north, this is a somewhat upscale grocery store with a limited selection of quality goods.

Kayak Put-In
In Durango, Colorado, likely the best public place to park and access the Animas River for kayak trips. Downstream from here into the city, and take public transit back to this location.

Junction
Major forest road intersection. Artery to the east is unexplored.

Camp CO - La Plata Canyon Basecamp
Our primitive basecamp in San Juan National Forest, close to Hesperus, Colorado, and only a short drive from the city of Durango. Accessed via a short and easily-overlooked forest road spur. This campsite is easily accessed by any four-wheel drive vehicle. Larger vehicles may incur scratches, as there is some close vegetation along the two-track. There is a stone fire ring here nestled in some junipers. The area is a grassy pasture with low vegetation all around, offering some shade and protection from the elements. Excellent view of the sky for satellite connectivity, good cell service, and lovely view of the mountains to the north. The entrance to La Plata Canyon is a very short distance away, and is a great place for outdoor recreation, hiking, camping, and touring. There is enough room for three vehicles at this basecamp, with ground tents. Privacy is generally good, but you will likely encounter one or two people a week during peak season, who are either exploring or looking for such a campsite. We’ve returned to this site in multiple occasions because it is clean and lovely, with great access to both the great outdoors and the city.

Fired Up Pizzeria
A sit down pizza place in downtown Durango. We absolutely love the jalapeño-mozzarella dip, and would go for that alone. Switchback Tacos next store is generally better for food and drink, but that cheese dip at Fired Up is REALLY good.

81301 Coffee Roasters
Our former, favorite coffee shop in Durango. The coffee is pretty good, but it has gotten crowded and loud over the years, as you might have noticed in V23E1. After the video was recorded, we discovered another coffee shop called Still Life Coffee and Botanicals that we liked a lot more than 81301. I still recommend 81301 if you are passing through.

Camp AZ - Free Forest Service
Small, free forest service campground just off the highway, in a canyon, north of Globe, Arizona. Decent spot if passing through. Low elevation so it is a bit warmer, and the canyon offers good protection from the elements. There is a vault toilet here. Mostly consists of boondockers and travelers passing through. Few people are recreating here.

Street - Tucson AZ to Globe

4x4 - Primitive Spur Campsite Access
Two-track requires four-wheel drive to access cluster of campsites to the east of the lake. Possible deep mud-holes when conditions are wet.

Dirt - Scenic Winding Forest Road
Groomed, winding forest road, suitable for all vehicles. High elevation offers good scenery.

Dirt - Forest Road Switchbacks
From pavement, the forest road is gentle and groomed as it winds its way up into the mountains. Suitable for any vehicle.

Street - Farmington NM to Hesperus CO

Street - Globe AZ to Show Low

Dirt - Scenic Winding Forest Road
Groomed forest road segment from Henderson Lake, all the way down to pavement, or vice versa. Scenic, but great elevation change. Suitable for most vehicles.

Street - Hermosa CO to Basecamp

Street - Basecamp to Hermosa CO

Street - Northern Durango CO

4x4 - Primitive Forest Road Spur
A surprisingly rugged route close to the main road. Requires compact four-wheel drive with good clearance. Leads to dry lake bed, two dispersed campsites, and hiking opportunities.

Dirt - Scenic Winding Forest Road
Groomed winding forest road segment.

4x4 - Primitive Spur to Basecamp
Requires stock four-wheel drive. Short forest road spur to access desirable basecamp. Some close vegetation.

4x4 - Rugged Two-Track
Primitive, degraded forest road at high-elevation. Requires high-clearance four-wheel drive. Terminates at hiking trailhead.

Street - Durango CO to River Put-In

Street - Downtown Durango CO

Dirt - Gentle Forest Road
Groomed, finding forest road segment from top of switchbacks.

Kayak - Animas River
Our actual GPS track from our pack-rafting trip on the Animas River through Durango. Park at the north end, float downstream, take public transit back.

Street - Basecamp to Durango CO

4x4 - Gentle Forest Road Segment
Remote but gentle forest road segment from Henderson Lake to campsite cluster access.

4x4 - Winding Rugged Forest Road
From the uppermost terminus where the route is the most primitive and rugged, down to the lake where it is more gentle. More difficult as you ascent.

Street - Durango CO to Basecamp

Street - Show Low AZ to Farmington NM

4x4 - Winding Gentle Forest Road
Section of forest road that requires four-wheel drive, but is generally very easy and scenic. Road gets rougher as you ascend.