Cayton Campground is 6 miles northeast of Rico on Colorado Highway 145 (part of the San Juan Skyway) 43 miles from Dolores. The entrance is 1/2 mile east of the highway on the Barlow Creek Road (Forest Rd. 578). The campground has 27 campsites, many along the river. Eighteen sites offer 50 amp RV electric plug ins. Fishing is popular on summer weekends. At 9,400 feet, expect cool evenings. A dry dump station is in place.
The Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to 4WD vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road behind Durango Mountain Resort and leads to U.S. Highway 550. The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass.
For Reservations Call: 877-444-6777
Know Before You Go:
- Sites 5, 6, 10 and 25 meet established accessibility standards; site 6 is reservable, but 5, 10 and 25 are available on a first-come, first-served basis
- First-come, first-served sites are available
- Click here for more information on the San Juan National Forest
- This facility has first come first serve sites. Even if all reservable sites have been taken, it might be possible to acquire one of these sites on a walk in basis.
- Don’t Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visitdontmovefirewood.org.
The Dolores River is a popular fishing destination that can often be crowded on summer weekends. Anglers will find rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
The area boasts some excellent trails. The Colorado Trail follows the ridge across Bolam Pass. The Lizard Head and Cross Mountain Trails near Lizard Head Pass lead to alpine basins surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks.
The Barlow Creek Road continues past the campground and crosses Bolam Pass with spectacular views. Road conditions near the pass often limit travel to four-wheel drive vehicles. The route eventually connects with the Hermosa Park Road, behind Durango Mountain Resort, and leads to U.S. Highway 550.
The Priest Gulch Trailhead, 11 miles southwest of Rico, leads to the alpine country west of the campground. The Bear Creek Trail, 14 miles south of Rico, heads southeast into the La Plata Mountains. Other nearby trails include the Calico National Recreation Trail and the Rico-Silverton Trail.
Highway 145, which runs between the campground and Telluride, offers some of the most majestic scenery along the San Juan Skyway, including views of the “14ers,” which are peaks over 14,000 feet.
The campground offers 27 single-family campsites, many of which are situated along the river. Eighteen sites offer electric hookups. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water and a dump station are provided.
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GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
37.77139, -107.97722
37°46’17″N, 107°58’38″W
From Rico, travel northeast on Colorado Highway 145 for 6 miles. Turn right (east) on Forest Road 578 (Barlow Creek Road). The campground entrance is a half-mile further.
