West Dolores Campground

If you're in the San Juan National Forest heading down the wild West Dolores Road with your eyes on Lizard Head Wilderness, why not stop into the West Dolores Campground to rest your head? This small facility sits right near the West Dolores River and provides a central location for exploring the many historical and geological sites in the area.

One small loop of 18 campsites makes up this campground, offering some amenities during the summer months. Several of the lots provide you with electric hookups and all sites come with a picnic table and fire ring. Fees are not posted, so it's a good idea to call ahead to see what the current rates per night are. While some of these campsites are large enough to accommodate bigger RVs, keep in mind that the road to get here is quite steep in some areas and trailers or big-rigs may not make it. Drinking water is available on-site, and one of the lots is wheelchair-friendly. 

Though most use this campground as a stopover or landing zone while exploring the surrounding area, you can find things to do right on the property as well. Anglers will love casting a line in the nearby river, which happens to be full of all kinds of trout. The forest trails that are accessible via West Dolores Campground are perfect for hiking with your pooch or for exploring around on your mountain bike.

While canine campers are welcome at this location, it is unclear what rules -- if any -- are enforced regarding dogs on the campground. As a rule of thumb, keep your dog close to you at all times and do not allow them to venture onto anyone else's site. Bring a leash along just in case and consider using it if your pup is rusty with voice commands. Remember, there are bears and mountain lions in this forest, so allowing your doggo to run wild or leaving their waste on the ground is a very bad idea that can attract these large predators. Do your part to keep this facility safe for all and scoop up after your woofer.

If you're looking to get out into the San Juan National Forest, West Dolores Campground is a pawfect place to set up camp.