Navajo State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Navajo State Park is a hidden gem located at the southern end of Colorado. The park's main recreational feature is the Navajo Reservoir. Boaters, anglers, and water lovers will adore this 35-mile-long lake that extends from Colorado into New Mexico. Nature lovers will enjoy looking for wildlife throughout the park. The park's resident wildlife includes deer, elk, prairie dogs, muskrats, and beaver. Birders will find a variety of desert and migratory birds in the park.
Other secrets you can discover within the park's boundaries include the remnants of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad, which once served towns that are now covered by the lake. Don't forget to check out the park's visitor center, which has a collection of relics of the Native Americans who once called the area home.
Nearby Cities:
Arboles, CO
Durango, CO
Pagosa Springs, CO
Bloomfield, NM
Spring 23-72 F
Summer 45-89 F
Fall 22-78 F
Winter 12-45 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Navajo State Park
Campground Accommodations
Carracas Campground
Water hookup: No
Electric hookups: Yes
Sewer Hookups: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 55 feet
Other amenities: Flush toilets, showers, dump site, picnic tables
Rosa Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electric hookups: Yes
Sewer Hookups: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 55 feet
Other amenities: Flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fire rings, coin laundry
Tiffany Campground
Water hookup: No
Electric hookups: No
Sewer Hookups: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 25 feet
Other amenities: Water, flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, fire rings
Navajo State Park Campground
Six different campgrounds containing 118 sites are available at Navajo State Park Campground. Rates start at $14 per night, and you will love the double-wide camping spots found in some campgrounds. Camping is allowed year-round at most of these campgrounds, but campers need to be self-contained in the winter.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Seasonal restroom with showers, marina, fishing
Navajo Lake Resort RV Park & Campground
You will love the wide, tree-lined sites at Navajo Lake Resort RV Park & Campground, which is open all year. An outdoor pavilion that can hold up to 60 people is available, and you can rent a gas grill at this campground. Rates start at $35 per night with monthly and seasonal rates available.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Fish cleaning station, pavilion, kayak rentals
Ute Campground
Wake up in the morning to the smell of the Ponderosa pines at Ute Campground. This campground is located within San Juan National Forest where some free dispersal camping is available, but most sites cost about $20 per night. Climb the hill just behind this campground to see the pinnacles of the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Historic sites, scenic drives
Lake Capote Recreation Area
Get your bait at the Lake Capote Recreation Area bait shop and enjoy fishing at this 400-acre facility owned by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Rates start at $18 per night with weekly rates available, but note that this campground is only open Thursday through Saturday from September through April. However, it is open seven days a week the rest of the year.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Bait shop, lake, fishing
What to Do at
Navajo State Park
Water sports are the main attraction at Navajo State Park. You can boat, canoe, or jet ski on the 15,000-acre Navajo Lake. Anglers can test their skills against a variety of fish species. Nature buffs can enjoy hiking and watching nature on one of the park's trails or the wildlife viewing area.
Nature lovers can hike or bike one of the park's trails, while watersports enthusiasts can launch their craft from the boat ramp to enjoy a day on the water.
Inside Navajo State Park
Powerboats, personal watercraft, sailboats, and sailboards are all popular ways to explore the lake at Navajo State Park. Bring along your mountain bike to enjoy the trails with their views of the Sambrito Wetlands area, Windsurf Beach, the lake, and the San Juan River. These trails are also great for hiking in the spring when the sagebrush shrubland and western slope grassland comes alive with many wildflowers. Another popular activity is fishing, which is often superb for catfish, crappie, large-mouth bass and small-mouth bass in shallow water. Anglers heading to deeper water often catch Kokanee salmon, northern pike, and many varieties of trout.
Fishing
Drop a line from your boat or cast from a remote spot along the shore. Shoreline anglers can reel in bass, catfish, or crappie from the warm shallows. Deeper waters reveal salmon, pike, and trout.
Nature Watching
The park has a designated wildlife viewing area. Birders can see resident species like pinyon jays, ravens, various waterfowl, and raptors. Migratory birds frequent the park in spring and fall. Bald eagles make an appearance in the winter months. Local mammals include rabbits, mule deer, coyote, fox, porcupine, skunks, and ground squirrels.
Stargazing
The remoteness of Navajo State Park makes it an ideal spot for looking at the stars. The altitude, clean air, and lack of light pollution contribute to stunning views of constellations and planets.
Flora and Fauna
High-desert vegetation dominates the park's flora. Pinyon pine and Utah juniper trees dot the landscape. A variety of shrubs and prairie grasses create the ground cover underneath. Along the shoreline, various wetland, riparian, and aquatic ecological communities have become established. This makes for a unique contrast against the backdrop of the surrounding desert.
Hiking
Hike on one of the park's five established trails. The trails have well-maintained dirt and gravel surfaces. Trail lengths range from under a quarter of a mile to a little over a mile. The routes provide views of the lake from various locations and elevations.
Boating
The 15,000-acre lake is 35 miles long. It can accommodate houseboats, power boats, jet skis, sailboats, sailboards, kayaks, and canoes. There is a boat ramp and marina at the park.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed in the lake, but there are no designated swimming beaches. Swimming is prohibited near the marina or the boat ramp.
Biking
Mountain biking is allowed on the park's hiking trails. Campers also ride the park's roads for exercise or to get around.
How to Get to
Navajo State Park
To reach Navajo State Park from the east, take highway US-160 West from Pagosa Springs, CO., for 16 miles. At the junction with CO-151 West, turn left. In 17 miles, turn left, heading southeast on County Road 982. The park will be on your right in about 1.7 miles.
From the west, take Hwy 160 east from Durango, CO. for 8 miles. At the junction with CO-172, turn right. In 15.8 miles, you will reach CO-151. Turn left and travel east and south for 16 miles. At the junction with County Road 982, turn right. The park will be on your right in about 1.7 miles.
Entering Navajo State Park
There is a $10 daily vehicle fee to enter the park. There is abundant parking in the day-use area near the boat ramp and marina.
Navajo State Park Per Vehicle : $10.0
Navajo State Park Annual Pass : $80.0
This state park located on the New Mexico border in Southwestern Colorado has many things to offer. If you have spent time exploring this park, post about it on your social media feed and tell us what you liked doing here. Be sure to tag RVshare in your post. You can also send your photos and stories to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Navajo State Park
The most popular time to visit the park is during the summer for fishing and water sports, though the park is open year-round. Winter can be a good time for viewing some wildlife, but some services are unavailable.
Mammals found in the park include skunks, squirrels, deer, rabbits, coyotes, foxes, porcupines, and river otters. Birds commonly seen are pinyon jays, magpies, ravens, and raptors. A variety of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds also frequent the park.
The park has three campgrounds with RV camping spots, although hookups may not be available at all sites. Each has a fire ring, picnic table, and nearby bathrooms.
Reservations are required to camp in the park. There is a daily vehicle fee of $10. RV campsites range from $14 to $41 per night.
Pets are allowed in the park. They are welcome in the campgrounds and on the hiking trails. However, they must be on a leash, and you are responsible for picking up after your furry family members.
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