San Juan National Forest

USDA Forest Service
San Juan National Forest
15 Burnett Court
Durango, CO 81301
970-247-4874

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
970-385-1257

Location

La Plata Canyon is very popular in the summer. From Durango, go 12 miles west on U.S. Highway 160. Turn north on County Rd. 124 at Hesperus (which has a convenenience store/gas station and a post office, as well as a restaurant) and go 5 miles.

The paved road turns to gravel at the National Forest boundary. Access to campgrounds is by 2WD gravel road, but, soon thereafter, the road becomes rugged 4WD.

Camping is allowed only in developed campgrounds and designated camping areas. In identified "dispersed" campsites, campfires are allowed only in the metal fire grates provided for your use.

Facilities

One mile up the road is Kroeger Campground, with 11 campsites on two acres shaded by a mixture of spruce, fir, aspen, and cottonwood.

One site has a double table and large parking area. Another is suitable for a long RV; most sites do not accommodate larger RVs. There is one pull-thru.

There are vault toilets and a host on site.. There is no trash pickup; trash must be packed out. Private property is next to the campground (please do not trespass).

Bear-safe food storage is mandatory.

Attractions & Considerations

Expect cool summer nights at this elevation, 9000'.

You can fish in the nearby La Plata River, but success rates are only fair.

The road continues up the canyon for 8 miles to the Kennebec Pass Scenic Overlook parking lot at 11,600 feet. The last few miles are 4WD, and the last 2 miles have steep dropoffs. Your reward will be outstnding panoramic views of the La Plata Mountains and other, more distant ranges.

Several trails, including the Colorado Trail, traverse the backcountry from the pass. A short, level hike to Taylor Lake is one option. Another is the Highline Loop National Recreational Trail. The trail travels 17.0 miles through mountain parks, aspen groves, and spruce/fir forest, and along alpine ridge tops above timberline. This high-elevation trail is somewhat difficult to follow but affords excellent views of Hermosa Creek.

Hardy mountain bikers can ride the Colorado Trail from Kennebec Pass to the trail's southern terminus at Junction Creek, near Durango. This epic ride is mostly downhill and all singletrack. An even more challenging version favored by some intrepid local cyclists is to ride from Durango up Hwy. 160 to the La Plata Canyon turnoff at County Road 124, to Mayday (where the pavement ends), then up to Kennebec Pass and down the Colorado Trail to Durango, making a loop ride (and a long day).

Map of Area