Navajo State Park RV & Campground Guide
Colorado
Located near Arboles, Colorado, this state park opened in 1964, two years after the Navajo Dam's completion. This park is located 41 miles southeast of Durango, 27 miles southwest of Chimney Rock and 244 miles southeast of Pueblo, Colorado, and it welcomes about 300,000 visitors each year. Those visitors often come to play and fish on the 24-square-mile Navajo Lake. The lake is particularly popular among houseboaters, who often dock at the marina. Others come to hike the trails, especially in the fall when the trees often put on a magnificent showing.
Spring 30–64 F
Summer 50–87 F
Fall 40–71 F
Winter 14–42 F
Chimney Rock, CO
Durango, CO
RV Resorts & Campsites in Navajo State Park
With so much to see and do in and near this state park, you will want to bring your RV. If you do not have your own camper, then rent one on RVshare.com to enjoy the natural beauty and amenities in the area.
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
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.
Outside Navajo State Park
After you have visited Navajo State Park, you may want to explore the area further. This park almost borders the San Juan National Forest, and the Rio Grande National Forest is located nearby. Chimney Rock National Monument is also located a short drive away. There are great places to eat, shop and sightsee in this area of Southwestern Colorado.
Restaurants
Mill Street Bistro
The local owners welcome you to stop in for a glass of wine or a craft beer before enjoying chicken penne pasta, duck quesadillas or other farm-to-table favorites.
Type: American
Location: 135 W Mill St, Bayfield, CO 81122
Hong’s Garden Cuisine Restaurant
Located in the Bayfield Center Plaza, this restaurant invites you to stop in for the Peking lunch buffet or come later in the day for the dinner menu. It features family meal combinations with wonton or egg drop soup, egg rolls, wrapped chicken, crab Rangoon and your favorite main entrees.
Type: Chinese
Location: 480 Wolverine Dr, Bayfield, CO 81122
Brenda’s Old West Café
Start your day with a massive plate of chile relleno, come back for lunch specials like meatloaf and visit again in the evening when prime rib is often served on the weekends.
Type: Tex-Mex and American
Location: 271 N Mountain View Dr, Bayfield, CO 81122
Eepa’s Pizzeria
Pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, Genoa salami, bacon, Canadian bacon, grilled chicken and all types of vegetables can be ordered on each pizza. There is no need to argue about your favorite type because each pizza is 10 inches across, meaning everyone can enjoy their own.
Type: Italian
Location: 1248 Bayfield Pkwy Box 226, Bayfield, CO 81122
Chavolo's Mexican Restaurant
Relax on the patio at this restaurant where the friendly staff will treat you like family while serving you enchiladas, tacos and other favorites. Be sure to order a side of fries covered in green chiles.
Type: Mexican
Location: 637 E Colorado Dr. A, Bayfield, CO 81122
Shopping
Lewis True Value Mercantile
Get the hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies to work on your boat or trailer at this Pine River Valley hardware store that has been serving the community for more than 40 years. Don't forget to check out their selection of home décor.
Location: 311 Bayfield Center Rd, Bayfield, CO 81122
Village Junction Antiques
Wander through 3,000 square feet of antiques and vintage items at this store because you never know what you will find at very reasonable prices.
Location: 39793 Hwy 160, Bayfield, CO 81122
RenToys
Since 1988, this company has been producing beautiful toy swords, axes, polearms, helmets and shields for kids and adults alike.
Location: 104 E Mill St, Bayfield, CO 81122
Dietz Market
Find oilcloth, gourmet food gift baskets, solar-powered fountains and more at this store where new types of items are added regularly.
Location: 26345 US-160, Durango, CO 81301
Caswell Trading Company
The owner collects tribal beadwork and antler chandeliers as well as vintage and new guns and knives. He would love for you to come to see his collection and take something home.
Location: 39722 US-160, Bayfield, CO 81122
Sightseeing
San Juan National Forest
Covering about 1.8 million acres, the San Juan National Forest offers visitors lots to do, including climbing, fishing, hiking, off-roading and scenic driving.
Location: 15 Burnett Court, Durango, CO 81301
Rio Grande National Forest
At this 1.8-million-acre national forest, you can join the evening campfire, hunt, fish, ride horses, collect rocks and minerals, bicycle and hike.
Location: 1803 W. Highway 160, Monte Vista, CO 81144
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Hear stories told by actors dressed in period clothing while riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. You can also join one of the special train rides, such as the romance train ride or the Polar Bear Express, before seeing railroad memorabilia at the free museum.
Location: 479 Main Ave, Durango, CO 81301
Powerhouse Science Center
Aim the air rockets, experience the virtual reality Google Earth flight simulator, climb inside the planet phases exhibit and enjoy other activities at this hands-on science museum that is fun for the whole family.
Location: 1333 Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81301
The Springs Resort and Spa
Soak in the hot springs at this resort and enjoy the health benefits of the mineral water just as people have been doing for more than 150 years.
Location: 323 Hot Springs Blvd, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
How to Get to
Navajo State Park
Navajo State Park can easily be reached from Arboles, Colorado. Take County Road 982 south for about 1.5 miles, and the park’s entrance will be on your left.
Entering Navajo State Park
Navajo State Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for day use. Office hours may vary according to the season.
Per vehicle : $9
Annual pass : $80
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.