USDA Forest Service · Colorado

Lower Piedra

USDA Forest Service · Colorado, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
19
Hookups
15 no hookups
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Elevation
6,637 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
LOWER PIEDRA CG (NFSR 711) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
Lake
San Juan National Forest
Nearest town
Piedra
Phone
N/A

16 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature.

If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.

Facilities

The Lower Piedra Campground is just north of U.S. Highway 160 on the west side of the Piedra River, about 18 miles east of Bayfield and 25 miles west of Pagosa Springs. It is about a half mile up Forest Rd. 621 on the west side of the river (not to be confused with the First Fork Road [Forest Rd. 622] on the east side of the river). The campground offers 14 large, level sites with plenty of shade. Fishing opportunities are available.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January36°11°-2°50°11 of 11
February39°15°-4°52°11 of 11
March45°23°1°73°11 of 11
April56°29°16°71°11 of 11
May69°40°29°79°2 of 11
June82°50°40°94°0 of 11
July87°56°46°95°0 of 11
August83°54°46°91°0 of 11
September76°49°36°86°0 of 11
October63°35°26°77°6 of 10
November52°29°-8°64°10 of 10
December40°11°-13°53°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-06-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.