52 Weeks of Fun

Not Just Destination Finders, But Destination Storytellers

Vallecito Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Lake Vallecito Campground

Sheltered in a secluded mountain valley 8,000 feet above sea level, Vallecito Lake is one of the largest and most beautiful bodies of water in Colorado. Vallecito, which is Spanish for "Little Valley", is the ancestral home to many of Colorado's Ute Indians, It also became the name of the sparkling waters of the lake it surrounded.

Vallecito Campground is a very popular site and one of the largest within the San Juan National Forest. It sits on Vallecito Creek, adjacent to the Weminuche Wilderness. Visitors enjoy the area for its trail and fishing opportunities, which are part of a very scenic, natural setting.

There are many national forest campgrounds in the area of Bayside that are within the San Juan National Forest, including Pine Point, North Canyon, Graham Creek, Florida, Chris, Haviland Lake, Williams Creek, and Palisades Horse Camp. There are also numerous privately-owned RV resorts and campgrounds around the lake.

The campground offers 80 single-family sites, a few of which have electric hookups. The maximum length of all vehicles combined is 55 feet. Sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Day-use picnic sites are located along the creek at the campground entrance and are available for a fee. Pets are allowed and must be on a leash at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets. Hitching racks and a horse staging area with a loading ramp for livestock are on-site, but no overnight horse camping is allowed.

Colorado Tourism Office
State of Colorado

A 52 Weeks of Fun Fascinating Fact about Lake Vallecito Campground

The San Juan National Forest ranges from high-desert mesas to alpine peaks, with thousands of miles of back roads and hundreds of miles of trails to explore by hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or ATV.

Attraction Advice

Individual site availability for Vallecito campground operates on a six-month rolling basis. On March 1 availability is released for sites through September 1. Peak season, when reservations can be secured online, is Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Most of the month of September is limited to first-come, first-served only, and online booking is not available. The campground is closed from October 1 to Memorial Day weekend. Rates for standard electric sites are $32 per night in peak season, $24 per night non-peak season. Non-electric sites are $25 per night (peak) and $24per night (non-peak).



recreation.gov

Many of the campgrounds on Lake Vallecito provide lakeside sites for both RVs and tent-campers.
recreation.gov

The Pine Point Campground on Lake Vallecito is located in the center of the San Juan National Forest.
durango.org

The Narrow Gauge Railroad recreates historical runs between nearby Durango and Silverton, just a short distance from Bayside.
Uncover Colorado

Lake Vallecito, Bayfield’s hidden gem, offers 12 miles of shoreline with a wide range of recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, swimming, and watersports.

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