Junction Creek Campground

The Durango area is a wonderful base from which to explore Mesa Verde National Park, Chimney Rock National Monument, and all that the southern San Juan Mountains have to offer. Luckily there are some nice camping options in the area, and Junction Creek Campground is a great one. Located only 6 miles from central Durango and all the services available there, it nevertheless feels like it is far from civilization.

There is about 2 miles of dirt road to drive in reaching the campground, but the road is in good shape and wide enough that even RVs can navigate it with little trouble. The campground itself is quite spread out and has facilities not always found at a national forest campground. There is a nice day use area with sections for two large groups plus individual picnic spots. There is a covered pavillion and a sand volleyball court. The camping section is divided into four loops: B and C are quite small with mostly tent or small trailer sites. Loops D and E have larger sites, including 15 electric hook up sites in loop E. Twenty nine of the 44 sites are reservable.

The setting of the campground is beautiful with lovely forest and grassy meadows around the loops. Many of the sites have a very isolated feel and are quite private. The only real negative, which many would consider it a positive, is that there are not a lot of activities nearby. The creek for which the campground is named is about a quarter-mile down a steep ravine and not very accessible from the campground. There is the Junction Creek/Colorado Trail a short distance outside the campground entrance, but all other nearby trails require a long drive to reach them. But as a place to kick back and listen to the wind blow in the trees and as a base for exploring the surrounding area, Junction Creek is a great option.