Target Tree Campground
TARGET TREE CAMPGROUND
Part of San Juan National Forest
Overview
Target Tree Campground is located 7 miles east of Mancos on the north side of Highway 160 at an elevation of 7,643 feet. It is the ideal camping spot for day trips to Mancos, Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.The name, "Target Tree," refers to the Ute Indians' use of the area to harvest sap and bark from Ponderosa pines as food supplements. They also used the trees for target practice, leaving several scarred trees throughout the area.
Facilities
Target Tree Campground, located between Durango and Mancos off Highway 160, has 28 sites on a south-facing hillside overlooking Thompson Park. This campground's name refers to the Ute Indians' use of the area to harvest sap and bark of ponderosa pines as food supplements. They also used trees for target practice. Scarred trees remain; a short trail leads to one, and historical markers explain their usage. There are 17 barrier-free sites. Many sites are shady, but can be hot on sunny days. Most large and pull-thru sites require mechanical leveling of RVs. Three campsites have corrals for overnight camping with horses. The campground's group campsite group site has been converted into individual sites and is no longer available as a group site. There are no electrical hookups, dump station, firewood, or showers
Natural Features
The campground sits on a south-facing hillside overlooking Thompson Park. A Ponderosa pine and Gambel oak forest provides shade in many sites. The area is hot during the summer, but cools off significantly at night.Recreation
Visitors may enjoy taking a short, accessible interpretive trail to view a historic target tree. The campground is also known for its great birding opportunities, with a sign in the campground that lists species found in the area.The Narrow Gauge Trail begins within the campground and climbs 3.4 miles to an old railroad grade. The rails were placed just three feet apart to allow trains to navigate through the rugged mountains.
Nearby Attractions
Southwestern Colorado, part of the Four Corners region, contains over 4,000 archaeological sites and over 600 cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde National Park is 1 hour and 45 minutes south, close enough for a day trip. Other sites within a few hour's drive include the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Canyon of the Ancients and Hovenweep National Monument.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.Important Notices
Livestock allowed in sites 25 & 26 only
- First-come, first-served sites are available
- Click here for more information on the San Juan National Forest
- 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 visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Notifications and Alerts
Starting July 30th, 2026, fire restrictions are changing for the San Juan National Forest. Zone I Fire Restrictions drop from Stage II to Stage I. Zone II Fire Restrictions drop from Stage II to no restrictions. For maps and additional details, please visit the San Juan National Forest's webpage.
Under Stage I Fire Restrictions in Zone I, the following are prohibited:
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in: a. A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas); b. A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or c. A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.
Using an explosive.
Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site.
Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator.
Available Activities
- HORSEBACK RIDING - Horseback Riding
- HIKING - Hiking
- CAMPING - Camping
- HISTORIC & CULTURAL SITE - Historic Sites
Directions
From Mancos, take U.S. Highway 160 east for 8.8 miles. Turn left at campground sign and follow the gravel road for 0.3 miles to the campground.<br /> <br /> From Durango, take U.S. Highway 160 west for 20 miles to the campground sign. Turn right and the follow gravel road for 3 miles to the campground.
Cancellation Policy
<p>Cancellations</p> <p>Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. </p> <p>A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.</p> <p>Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.</p> <p>Group Sites</p> <p>Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.</p> <p>No-Shows</p> <p>A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.</p> <p>No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. </p> <p>Refunds</p> <p>Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.</p> <p>Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.</p> <p>For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. </p> <p>In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.</p>
Contact Information
SAN JUAN NFCO
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 028, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop Loop B, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop Loop A, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop Loop A , Type Standard Nonelectric
