Durango-Mancos-Rico west side of La Plata mountains Colorado

[rerod]

I'm thinking about boon-docking the west side of the la plata mountains in my lifted 30' toy-hauler the end of August because Iv heard it not as busy as other parts of Colorado..
I'm hoping I can make it up Echo Basin (Rd 566) towing with my 2wd E350 and hope to find a dispersed site near a creek with a view.

Iv heard I can dump black water at Santa Rita park south end of Durango. But I haven't pinpointed where I can get fresh water and other camping related things.

Is anyone familiar with this area and could recommend places to camp and pick up fresh water etc?

Thanks!

[chilihead98]

I was up at Transfer campground last year. Had poor Verizon reception.

[JFNM]

Super! Thanks 4runnerguy!

[4runnerguy]

JFNM wrote:
Does anyone know if there is Verizon cell phone coverage in Transfer Campground area?

Thank you!

We were able to get a signal from our campsite, but as there's a lot of terrain differences in the CG, you might have to walk from your campsite.

[avoidcrowds]

Go to Open Signal to see where other phones have made connections in that area. Doesn't look like much in the area.

[JFNM]

Does anyone know if there is Verizon cell phone coverage in Transfer Campground area?

Thank you!

[avoidcrowds]

For water, I would stop at the KOA in either Cortez, or Durango (or other private campgrounds), and offer to pay them $5 if they let you fill your tank.

Not sure I see any boondocking sites near your placemark on the road. It looks like private land, all around. As 4runnerguy says, yes, it is "National Forest" indicated on GE Map, but there are lots of pockets of private ownership near the edges of many NF in Colorado. Definitely look very closely on GE, and other sources (can't think of the ones that show private ownership in the NF, but I know they exist) to be sure you are not on private land. Even the San Juan NF site may have information on private land.

Enjoy your trip!

[trikepilot]

This is the Aspen Loop trail. Clicky

[trikepilot]

If you head towards the Transfer Campground just north of Mancos you will find dispersed camping all along that road. There is Jackson lake to visit on the way and if you like a long ride, the Aspen loop is a beautiful ride on a mountain bike or a motorcycle.

[wepeterson47]

There is a dump at Santa Rita (called the tourism organization). Around back near the sewer treatment area.

[4runnerguy]

We dumped at Santa Rita Park a few years ago but I don't remember potable water there. Maybe we just missed it.

If you're looking for a CG before heading into Echo Basin, consider Target Tree CG about 20 miles west of Durango. Some road noise, but not enough to keep us awake and we only have the canvas walls of a PUP to keep the noise out. The placed fills on weekends, but arrive by mid-afternoon on weekdays and you can probably snag a spot. Worst thing about this CG is they have composting toilets. Not much odor out side of them, but inside -- whew!

There's also a campground called Transfer on your way to the basin, all first come, first served. Never been there so can't advise you.

I'd grab a San Juan NF map before heading out as there is private land interspersed with NFS land in many places.

[Oldtymeflyr]

We were just in Durango for a few days.

If you have a hose, most gas stations will let you fill up. Where you dump should be potable water. I have been in Santa Rita Park, I just don't remember the dump station.

Durango has full services, Autozone's etc. They have a Walmart etc. Walmart is probably your best bet for miscellaneous camping stuff. There are hardcore backpacking stores in Durango.

There are two campgrounds north of town, Rose something or the other and I believe United. The last one we stayed in was United and that was probably 13 years ago.

Mancos, has a good fuel stop on the east side of town near a liquor store and at the intersection with 184. You can probably get water there as well.

Remember you are in the west, things are still a little different, maybe a little more friendly.