Purgatoire Campground
Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce.
Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.
Campsites come with campfire rings, picnic tables and vault toilets. Equestrian sites can fit large horse trailers. Drinking water is from a hand pump and parking aprons are grass and gravel. Trash service is provided.
Need to Know
- Be bear aware: Lock food and cooking utensils in vehicles, keep a clean campsite.
- Hay and feed pellets must be certified weed-free for use on National Forest.
- Two vehicles limit per campsite. Third vehicle $6 extra. Limit of one self-contained RV per site.
- Fireworks prohibited. No discharging of firearms within the campground.
- No electric or water hook-ups available.
- This facility also has first-come, first-served campsites.
- For more information on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, click here
- 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.
- Due to the remoteness of the campground, real time information is not available. Contact the San Carlos Ranger District for further information at (719) 269-8500.
Natural Features
The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River.
Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby towns of Stonewall and Cuchara offer shopping and restaurants.
Recreation
The North Fork Trail # 1309 is located on the north end of the campground and offers non-motorized access to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The 5-mile trail delights with mountain vistas and shade from forested terrain. The river, which is creek-sized at these upper reaches, provides opportunities for anglers to cast for trout.
Contact Information
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SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT 3028 EAST MAIN STREET CANON CITY CO 81212
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: FOR RESERVATIONS CALL (877) 444-6777, FOR OTHER NON REAL TIME INFORMATION CALL THE SAN CARLOS RANGER DISTRICT AT (719) 269-8500.
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From La Veta, Colorado, take State Route 12 south for 25.3 miles to Purgatoire campground sign. Turn right onto gravel Route 34. Go 0.2 miles to "T" intersection. Turn right and drive 4 miles on rough gravel road to campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 19, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 04, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 03, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 08, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 02, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 09, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 06, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 05, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 20, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 07, Loop PURGATOIRE, Type Standard Nonelectric
