Mcphee Recreation Complex
San Juan National Forest
McPhee Recreation Complex is located on the south shore of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities.
This large campground offers group sites, RV and tent sites, some of which have electric hookups. Several sites have shelters for shade. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are flush toilets.
Notifications and Alerts
The Juniper Loop (ONLY) at McPhee Recreation Complex summer season closes September 29th and reopens on September 30th at 1/2 price (winter rate - $14.00/night) with only restroom amenities available. This campground will be First Come First Served. Please place your payment (cash or check only) in the envelope, sealed in the fee tube. Pack your trash in and Pack it Out! No trash service available. Guests may contact the Bayfield Ranger Station during this time for more information (970)-884-2512.
Need to Know
Natural Features
The campground is situated on a mesa 500 feet above the reservoir, at an elevation of 7,400 feet. Pinyon and juniper trees offer shade throughout the campground.
Nearby Attractions
Southwestern Colorado, part of the Four Corners region, contains more than 4,000 archaeological sites and more than 600 cliff dwellings. Many sites offer glimpses of the ancient Anasazi culture for which the area is known.
Anasazi Heritage Center is 10 minutes away in Dolores. Mesa Verde National Park is one hour south of the campground. The Canyon of the Ancients is an hour southwest and Hovenweep National Monument is an hour west.
Recreation
McPhee Reservoir, the largest within the San Juan National Forest and second-largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline. Boating, water skiing and fishing are popular activities. A boat ramp and fish cleaning station are located within the complex.
The half-mile Can Do Trail climbs to a scenic overlook with panoramic views of the reservoir and the beautiful peaks surrounding Mesa Verde to the south.
Changes & Cancellations
Cancellations
Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee.
A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.
Group Sites
Group Facility (including Cabins and Lookouts): A visitor who cancels a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee.
No-Shows
A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.
No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.
Refunds
Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.
Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.
For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive.
In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
Contact Information
Default
SAN JUAN NF CO
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: (970) 882-7296
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Dolores, take Highway 145 for 2 miles, turn right onto Highway 184. Travel 4 miles on Highway 184, turn right at the McPhee Recreation Complex entrance. Proceed on Road 271 to the campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 019, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029E, Loop PINON, Type Standard Electric
- Site 022, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011W, Loop WALK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010E, Loop PINON, Type Standard Electric
- Site 006W, Loop JUNIPER, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 034E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
- Site 015, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site SAGE GROUP, Loop GROUP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
- Site 012, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop PINON, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025E, Loop PINON, Type Standard Electric
- Site 004W, Loop JUNIPER, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop PINON, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 007W, Loop WALK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
- Site 009, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004E, Loop PINON, Type Standard Electric
- Site 007E, Loop PINON, Type Standard Electric
- Site 010W, Loop WALK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009W, Loop WALK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 020E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
- Site 008W, Loop WALK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site Cactus Group, Loop GROUP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site Yucca Group, Loop GROUP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
- Site 012W, Loop WALK, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop PINON, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site MOQUI GROUP, Loop GROUP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
- Site 006, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016E, Loop PINON, Type Standard Electric
- Site 027, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop PINON, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop PINON, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 001E, Loop JUNIPER, Type Standard Electric
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