Colorado campgrounds

We like the KOA in Ouray. It's a couple of miles out of town, but it is very nice. BTW, it's much cooler in Ouray than it is at Ridgway Park.

LewBob, glad to hear the review on Junction Creek. We're there in June and reserved it blindly. Sounds like it'll work out.

It was ten years ago, but we stayed at United in Durango. Some sites closest to the office are a bit snug. We had called Alpen Rose about a reservation and were treated rudely.

The Junction Creek Campground in the San Juan National Forest about 6 miles northwest of Durango is a wonderful place to stay. Last week we stayed for 3 days in one of the 14 sites with electricity (available for reservation via recreation.gov). There are lots of other sites without power. Junction Creek is convenient to town, although there is about a mile and a half of gravel road as you approach the campground. Although water is available, there are no hookups for water or sewer. The camp hosts are great -- and they keep the toilets clean.

The Durango RV park is named Alpen Rose, not Aspen. We like it there too. Also stayed at 4J in Ouray. Great location, can walk to town and to hot springs pool.

We stayed at Aspen Rose last year for about 4 days. Its north of Durango on 550, right across the highway from United CG. Pretty nice place, good people running the place. We might try another CG next time though.

If you do try Durango, and you like BBQ ribs, Serious Texas Barbeque has two locations in town. Good stuff.

We enjoyed 4J+1 Campground in Ouray because it is on the river and about two blocks from the heart of town for restaurants and interesting places to poke around. Also an easy walk to a remarkable box canyon. Really enjoyed our weekend in that little town.

Unless your a 100% concrete camper, there are dozens of great Forest Service camping opportunities in the area.
Look here

Public campgrounds

x2 Lightner Creek, the new owners are very nice. Stayed there last year and enjoyed the quiet.

We just returned from a week at Aspen Rose in Durango. I really like the place, great staff, fantastic scenery, reasonably level gravel sites with lots of grass. Far enough out of town to be rustic, but close enough for a quick grocery run.
That said: I would hope you are not take a Motorhome or trailer from Ouray to Durango on the 550 (shown on the series Deadliest Highways.) I did it once and it really is scary. Great in a car, to be avoided in a big RV.
JMHO