Can you reserve a site at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?

Yes, Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?

60 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF).

Are campfires allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?

Campfires are allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF), Colorado — 38 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Elk Creek Campground is located in Conejos County, approximately 23 miles west of Antonito, Colorado. Located in the lower portion of the Conejos Canyon a short distance from Highway 17, it is an easily reached destination for visitors to the area. Elk Creek runs alongside the campground. The elevation of the campground is 8,500 ft.

Recreation

Consider a day trip to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, about 23 miles from the campground.

Fishing, hunting, hiking, scenic driving and wildlife watching are some of the popular activities in the area. Elk Creek and Duck Lake trailheads are a short distance away, both of which are access points to the South San Juan Wilderness Area.

Facilities

This campground contains a variety of campsites including single and double sites which can accommodate RVs or tents. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Most sites are equipped with accessible tables, grills and fire rings.

Natural Features

The campground is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pine trees. The understory is grass with some campsites located next to Elk Creek. The campground is conveniently located within close proximity to the South San Juan Wilderness Area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Elk Creek has fishing, including brown and rainbow trout. Two hiking trails are also nearby and lead into the south San Juan Wilderness. These trails access Dipping Lakes and Duck Lake and are an easy to intermediate hike.

The facts

38 bookable sites
4 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 60 ft
Up to 16 people per site
Loops: ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF), HOST

Site types

37 Standard Nonelectric
1 Standard Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

38 campsites at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Water	Max rig	People
01	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
02	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
03	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	8	♿ 🐾
04	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
05	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	8	🐾
06	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
07	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
08	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
09	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
10	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
11	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	40 ft	8	🐾
12	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	8	🐾
13	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	45 ft	8	🐾
14	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Riverfront	30 ft	8	♿ 🐾
15	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
16	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
17	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
18	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
19	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
20	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	16	🐾
21	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
22	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	8	🐾
23	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
24	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
26	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	35 ft	8	🐾
27	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	45 ft	8	🐾
28	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	30 ft	8	🐾
29	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	40 ft	8	🐾
30	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	8	🐾
31	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
32	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
33	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	8	♿ 🐾
34	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	50 ft	8	🐾
35	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	8	🐾
36	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	8	🐾
37	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	55 ft	8	♿ 🐾
38	ELK CREEK CAMPGROUND (RIO GRANDE NF)	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	Slight	—	60 ft	8	🐾
25	HOST	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	—	—	8	🐾

Getting there

From Antonito, CO, take US 285 south 0.3 miles to Hwy 17. Continue straight on Hwy 17 and go 22.6 miles to campground sign. Turn right onto dirt road and go 0.1 miles to a "T" intersection. Turn left, go 0.4 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear right and turn into campground.

37.12512, -106.36841 · 37°7'30.4"N 106°22'6.3"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	4.8	4.7	3.8	3.1	2.0	0.9	2.2	3.0	2.7	2.9	3.8	4.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)

Can you reserve a site at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?: Yes, Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF) have?: 38 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?: 60 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF).
Does Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF) have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)?: Campfires are allowed at Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)

Aspen Glade (Rio Grande National Forest, CO) 6.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Mogote 8.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Elk Creek Overflow Campground 0.1 mi · Campground
Potosi Vista Interpretive Site 0.8 mi · Facility
Red Lake Trailhead, Trail 733 3.7 mi · Facility
Spectacle Lake Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
Conejos Campground 5.2 mi · Campground
Aspen Glade Campground 6.3 mi · Campground
Trujillo Meadows Boating Site 7 mi · Facility
Trujillo Meadows Campground 7.4 mi · Campground
Mogote - Juniper Group Camping Site 8.7 mi · Campground
Upper South Fork Trailhead #720 12.2 mi · Facility

Contact

Email customerservice@pmcparks.com
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Elk Creek Campground (Rio Grande NF)