Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande Nf)

Colorado Rockies

Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande Nf)

Colorado Rockies

About this campsite

Overview

Elk Creek Campground is located in Conejos County, approximately 23 miles west of Antonito, Colorado. Located in the lower portion of the Conejos Canyon a short distance from Highway 17, it is an easily reached destination for visitors to the area. Elk Creek runs alongside the campground. The elevation of the campground is 8,500 ft.

Recreation

Consider a day trip to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, about 23 miles from the campground.

Fishing, hunting, hiking, scenic driving and wildlife watching are some of the popular activities in the area. Elk Creek and Duck Lake trailheads are a short distance away, both of which are access points to the South San Juan Wilderness Area.

Facilities

This campground contains a variety of campsites including single and double sites which can accommodate RVs or tents. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Most sites are equipped with accessible tables, grills and fire rings.

Natural Features

The campground is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pine trees. The understory is grass with some campsites located next to Elk Creek. The campground is conveniently located within close proximity to the South San Juan Wilderness Area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Elk Creek has fishing, including brown and rainbow trout. Two hiking trails are also nearby and lead into the south San Juan Wilderness. These trails access Dipping Lakes and Duck Lake and are an easy to intermediate hike.

Location

ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)•CO

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

SUN☁️

20° / 6°

💧 18%

TODAY🌤️

20° / 9°

💧 8%

TUE🌦️

20° / 7°

💧 24%

WED🌦️

18° / 7°

💧 24%

THU🌦️

19° / 7°

💧 15%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

7.8 km away

Spectacle Lake Campground

Campground: Spectacle Lake Campground. Operated by United States Forest Service.

8.4 km away

Conejos Campground

Campground: Conejos Campground. Operated by United States Forest Service.

10.3 km away

Aspen Glade (Rio Grande National Forest, CO)

Overview Aspen Glade Campground sits on the Conejos River in southern Colorado, providing a premium setting for fly fishing and peaceful nature watching. Recreation Forest Road 250 provides an unforgettable scenic drive, where visitors are met with sweeping views of the Conejos Canyon and River. Just upstream of the campground is a section of "Gold Medal" trout fishing, offering top-tier fishing for large quality trout. Just 168 miles of the 9,000 miles of trout streams in Colorado are designated with this title. The nearby Sheep Creek Trail is also highly recommended for avid hikers. Facilities The 32 spacious, reservable campsites are considerably quiet, allowing for the sounds of birds overhead. Drinking water and vault toilets are provided. Natural Features Within the campground, Loop A and B are lightly wooded with Ponderosa pines. Loop C is heavily wooded with tall, mature spruce, aspen and fir trees. It lies along the fast-flowing Conejos River. The understory for all campsites is grass topped with pine needles. Aspen Glade sits near the border of New Mexico at 8,500 feet. It is situated between the Carson and Rio Grande National Forests. Wildlife in the region includes bear, deer, elk and a variety of birds. Nearby Attractions Visitors can ride a traditional steam engine at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad on a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996.

13.7 km away

MOGOTE

Overview Mogote Campground is located along the Conejos River, making it a perfect location for fishing and hiking. The pleasant campground is well shaded by groves of ponderosa pine and a mixture of cottonwood, spruce, willow and aspen. The campground is also in close proximity to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, home of America's highest and longest, coal fired, steam operated narrow-gauge railroad. Recreation The Conejos River is a Gold Medal River, offering a high potential for trophy trout fishing. Rainbow and brown trout are the most common species in the river. Popular hikes include the 15-mile Elk Creek Trail and the 10.9-mile South Fork Conejos Trail. Facilities Campsites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash bins are provided. An accessible toilet is located in the upper loop. No electric hookups are available. Firewood can be purchased on site. Natural Features The campground sits at an elevation of 8,400 feet, and is separated into an upper and lower loop. The lower loop sits along the fast-flowing Conejos River and many sites face the water. The campground is perched in a wooded section along the river valley. Rio Grande National Forest stretches across 1.86 million acres in south-central Colorado. The forest encompasses a myriad of ecosystems ranging from high elevation desert at 7,600 feet above sea level to rocky crags at over 14,300 feet in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996. Nearby Attractions The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad can be accessed from Antonito. The train makes a 640-mile journey through abandoned mining towns, creating great entertainment for young and old.

21.3 km away

LAKE FORK(RIO GRANDE NATL FORE

Overview Lake Fork Campground sits in the Rio Grande Forest, 40 miles northwest of Antonito, Colorado. The campground is a true getaway from any city, and requires an 18-mile drive on a gravel road. This high elevation campground boasts limitless beauty with mountain peaks, alpine wildlife spotting and several varieties of birds. Recreation The campground is convenient to several trails, such as Lake Fork to Big Lake and Conejos Peak to Blue Lake. The Conejos River is a Gold Medal River, meaning it offers the greatest potential for trophy trout fishing. Rainbow and brown trout are the most common species in the river. Facilities Some campsites overlook the river. There is one centrally located drinking water spigot. All parking spurs are gravel. Firewood can be purchased on-site. No electric hookups are available. Campers will find an old-fashioned steel tub bath at Brummel's Rocky Mountain Lodge about 10 miles south. Natural Features The campground is located in south central Colorado on the banks of the Conejos River. It is shaded by spruce, aspen and a few cottonwoods and willows at an elevation of 9,500 feet. A variety of wildlife makes its home in the area, including black bears, deer and marmots. Wildflowers dot the region, creating colorful landscapes for photography enthusiasts. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996. Nearby Attractions Take in spectacular views of the Conejos Canyon and River along Forest Road 250.