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 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

Snowslide Campground is 6 miles up the canyon from
U.S. Highway 160, with campground entrances on both
sides of the road. Its 13 sites are well shaded; some are close to the La Plata River. Nights are cool during the summer at this elevation.

A host is on site. There is no potable water, but you can get water from Kroeger Campground just 1 mile up the road. Toilets are available at the Miners Cabin and Madden Dispersed Camping Areas.

Trash must be packed out. Bear-safe food storage is mandatory.

Attractions & Considerations

Kennebec Pass, a few miles north on Forest Road 124 (4WD is needed), offers outstnding panoramic views of the La Plata Mountains and other, more distant ranges.

Hiking trails may be accessed near the pass, including the Colorado Trail. A short, level hike to Taylor Lake is an 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