Rio Grande National Forest

USDA Forest Service
Rio Grande
National Forest
1803 W. Highway 160
Monte Vista, CO 81144
719-852-5941

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-852-6271

Access

From Creede, CO, take State Rt. 149 south (toward Lake City) 19.3 miles to Rio Grande Reservoir sign (Forest Rt. 520). Turn left onto Rt. 520 and go 0.5 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear left onto a dirt road, staying on Rt. 520, and go 10.8 miles to campground sign. Turn left into campground.

Attractions

The elevation is 9,300 ft.

The campground stretches along Squaw Creek with some sites overlooking the creek. All sites are nestled among mature spruce or Aspen trees. The campground is adjacent to the Weminuche Wilderness with two trailheads just below the Rio Grande Reservoir. The campground is very popular with both fishermen and hikers. Camping sites 24 through 26 are on a dead end. Firewood is available for a fee.

This is bear country; practice safe food storage techniques.

Considerations

The parking aprons are gravel. There are grey water dumping facilities located with the vaults. Depending on direction of travel, there are two waste stations. One is at Freemon's
General Store on State Rt. 149 between mile markers 39 and 40. No potable water and no fee. The other is a public waste station at the south end of Creede just off State Rt. 149. No fee and there is potable water.

Only wheelchair friendly vault is located at campground's entrance.

There is kayaking on Squaw Creek.

HIKING
Big Squaw Trail #814 (foot & horse) - 13 miles
Weminuche Trail #815 (foot & horse) - 14 miles
A ccess to the Weminuche Wilderness

FISHING
Rainbow trout (stocked)