Camp CO - Grassy Pond
Grassy camping area near pond with fire ring, great view of the sky, next to aspens, and van accessible.

Camp CO - Wooded Spur
Along a rugged forest road spur high up in the mountains, tucked in a grove of trees. Spacious and shady with two fire rings.

Dispersed Camping Area
Very popular boondocking area along forest road near Purgatory Resort.

Blue Alpine Pond
Hidden blue pond at a very high elevation in Columbus Basin.

Camp CO - Grassy Basin
In plain sight off of a winding forest road, a dispersed campsite in a grassy basin, with fire ring.

Camp CO - Colorado Trail
Up on a mountain ridge only a stone’s throw from the Colorado Trail, spacious clearing with stone fire ring. Unremarkable view.

Camp CO - Idyllic Roadside Site
Easy access just off of paved road. Surprisingly lovely and cozy dispersed campsite tucked in the tree with a stone fire ring.

Camp CO - Remote Spur
At the end of a picturesque forest road spur along a ridge. A wooded clearing with a fire ring. Near locked gate.

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.

Vault Toilet
Located in a campground next to Molas Lake. Easy access to hikers, even if you’re not camping there.

Hiking Trailhead
A hiking trailhead with a spacious parking area just off the highway.

La Plata Waterfall
Picturesque waterfall hidden in the canyon along the La Plata River. Difficult to access river here.

Gas
Decent place to top off the tanks in Dolores.

Gas
Near Purgatory Resort, another place to top off when coming out of the mountains.

Switchback Overlook
Spectacular overlook to the west at the corner of a switchback.

Camp CO - Ridge Cluster
A cluster of nice dispersed campsites on a scenic ridge along the Colorado Trail. Great views to the east.

Purgatory Resort
Gravel parking area in Purgatory Resort. Great spot for staging, air up, or air down.

Camp CO - Small Wooded Spur
A single spot tucked in the trees suitable for a compact vehicle with a rooftop tent. Good privacy near main forest road.

Weather Instruments
This unmapped spur on the mountain ridge had a small weather station.

Roadside Boondocking
A decent spot along the river with some good, accessible boondocking, just off the highway. Poor privacy.

Columbus Basin Parking
At the end of a rugged forest road spur, a high-elevation shelf where you can park and explore the nearby mines and features of Columbus Basin.

Columbus Mine
An historic mine with a grated cover and some old machinery. Some construction was going on here during our visit in August 2024. Be respectful of private property.

Air Up / Down
The forest road is gentle. Nevertheless, this is a good spot to air up or down to manage your ride quality.

Vault Toilet
Located in the parking lot for a hiking trailhead just off the highway. If you need a pit-stop, this is a good spot!

Camp CO - Superb Wooded Ridge
This was occupied during my visit, so I didn’t get a close look. It looked like an awesome dispersed campsite just within the tree-line on the ridge, with amazing views to the south. Along the Colorado Trail. Need to return to investigate.

Colorado Trail Junction
Forest road along the ridge runs parallel to the Colorado Trail.

Camp CO - Spacious Dispersed
Recommended, spacious, accessible site along Hermosa Creek, just beyond the boondocking corridor that is usually crowded.

El Bandito - Mexican Food
Great vibe, good drinks, okay food. Mexican kitchen and cantina. Not bad for a tourist area. Fun spot!

James Ranch Grill
One of our favorite farm-to-table restaurants north of Durango, Colorado. Stop here for a burger, a beer, and a lovely rural vibe!

Molas Lake Hike Parking
This is a very busy area for camping, fishing, and outdoor activity, but offers some lovely high-elevation, scenic, hiking opportunities around Molas Lake, and near the Colorado Trail.

4x4 - Gentle Winding Forest Road
Groomed, winding forest road into the mountains. May require 4wd in inclement conditions.

4x4 - Primitive Spur
A short primitive spur leading to a dispersed campsite along the Colorado Trail.

4x4 - Rugged Two-Track
Winding, pitted two-track with some rocks and small mud holes. Dead end.

Hike - Molas Lake Trail
Short hike around scenic high-elevation lake near Silverton. Camping, fishing, hiking.

Hike - Columbus Basin
Short high-elevation hike in scenic basin with historic minds and alpine pond.

Dirt - Gentle Canyon Forest Road
Groomed, scenic forest road through La Plata Canyon with camping opportunities.

4x4 - Rugged Forest Road
Scenic forest road through La Plata Canyon to upper elevations. Stock four-wheel drive is okay. Jeep tours frequent here.

Street - Basecamp to Canyon
Hesperus basecamp to La Plata Canyon.

Dirt - Groomed Thoroughfare
Long artery from Purgatory Resort into mountains. Popular, accessible boondocking.

4x4 - High Elevation Two-Track
Rocky, primitive forest road best suited for high clearance vehicles. Amazing views!

4x4 - Groomed Winding Forest Road
Groomed, scenic forest road through La Plata Canyon with camping opportunities.

4x4 - Gentle Road Segment
Groomed, winding forest road into the mountains. May require 4wd in inclement conditions.

Street - Paved Segment
From one forest road entrance to another, follows river.

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

Street - Purgatory to Basecamp
Purgatory Resort to Hesperus Basecamp.

4x4 - Grassy Two-Track Spur
A gentle two-track spur leading to a spacious dispersed campsite.

4x4 - Scenic Two-Track Spur
A rugged track along a picturesque ridge with a few camping opportunities. Dead end.

Street - Basecamp to Delores
Hesperus Basecamp to hiking trailhead with vault toilet near Dolores.

Street - Basecamp to Silverton
Hesperus basecamp to Silverton, Coloardo, and El Bandito Cantina.