RV Sites
Frances G
VerifiedJuly 10, 2022 Stayed at: 20, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Campground was empty when we were there because snow was expected. We loved it.
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About Purgatoire Campground
Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce.
Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.
Available sites
13 total sitesSeasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
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Currently closed
Campground Amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
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Rates, Sites & Availability
Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.
13 Sites Available
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02, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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04, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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06, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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07, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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08, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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09, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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11, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly
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14, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🏕️
15, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly
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18, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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20, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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21, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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22, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
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Site Details
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13 Sites Available
Site
Price
🚐
02, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
04, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
06, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
07, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
08, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
09, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🏕️
11, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly
🚐
14, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🏕️
15, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Equestrian
8 guests · Pet Friendly
🚐
18, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
20, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
21, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐
22, Loop: PURGATOIRE
RV
Pet Friendly · Gravel · Driveway entry: Back-In
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews
138 reviews
Summary
Purgatoire Campground offers a serene and remote camping experience, surrounded by beautiful pine and aspen trees, and features well-maintained sites with bear-proof lockers and picnic tables. Mark, the camp host, is friendly and ensures cleanliness throughout the campground. While the vault toilets are a bit far and some sites may not accommodate larger RVs, the peaceful atmosphere, excellent hiking trails, and proximity to fishing and boating make it a highly enjoyable destination for nature lovers.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Overall rating
Based on 138 reviews
5 stars
66.7% (92)
4 stars
23.9% (33)
3 stars
7.2% (10)
2 stars
0.0% (0)
1 star
2.2% (3)
Showing 138 reviews
Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Kevin L
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Good
Helpful
Kevin L
VerifiedJuly 5, 2022 Stayed at: 18, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Good
Helpful
Simon B
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 Stayed at: 07, Loop: PURGATOIRE
My travel plans changed so two days before my reservation I tried to change my arrival date and the recreation.gov website wouldn't allow it. I showed up the day after my original reservation date and was charged for two days despite only staying for one day. The campground is great, but the host making me pay for two nights despite knowing I was only there for one night ruined it this year. He didn't have to do that. So the first problem was this website. The second was the host being unreasonable.
Helpful
Simon B
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 Stayed at: 07, Loop: PURGATOIRE
My travel plans changed so two days before my reservation I tried to change my arrival date and the recreation.gov website wouldn't allow it. I showed up the day after my original reservation date and was charged for two days despite only staying for one day. The campground is great, but the host making me pay for two nights despite knowing I was only there for one night ruined it this year. He didn't have to do that. So the first problem was this website. The second was the host being unreasonable.
Helpful
Kathy W
VerifiedJune 15, 2022 Stayed at: 08, Loop: PURGATOIRE
This was a very peaceful quiet Campground. We enjoyed our night here. It did have decent pit toilets which was better than having to use our portable one. There was no Verizon cell service here.
Helpful
Kathy W
VerifiedJune 15, 2022 Stayed at: 08, Loop: PURGATOIRE
This was a very peaceful quiet Campground. We enjoyed our night here. It did have decent pit toilets which was better than having to use our portable one. There was no Verizon cell service here.
Helpful
Greg W
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 Stayed at: 04, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Overall this is a great campground in a beautiful area. There are many spots on the Purgatorie River which is nice. There is a hiking trail that starts in the campground as well. The camp host was a really good guy and always has a good supply of firewood. My only complaint was my spot, #4 had very little privacy. This however is not the case with all of the spots. Had I been in spots 2 or 3 I would have given 4 stars easy.
Helpful
Greg W
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2021 Stayed at: 04, Loop: PURGATOIRE
Overall this is a great campground in a beautiful area. There are many spots on the Purgatorie River which is nice. There is a hiking trail that starts in the campground as well. The camp host was a really good guy and always has a good supply of firewood. My only complaint was my spot, #4 had very little privacy. This however is not the case with all of the spots. Had I been in spots 2 or 3 I would have given 4 stars easy.
Helpful
Matthew L
August 17, 2021
The river is magic. The campsites are only steps away from shady cool riverside hideaways to be in sync with nature. Keep driving that loose gravel road up and up, follow that river, and you will find peace in Purgatoire.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Purgatoire Campground
San Carlos Ranger District, 3028 East Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212 United States
Elevation: 2,959 ft
Getting There
From La Veta, Colorado, take State Route 12 south for 25.3 mi to Purgatoire campground sign. Turn right onto gravel Route 34. Go 0.2 mi to "T" intersection. Turn right and drive 4 mi on rough gravel road to campground.
Near Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
The closest entrance is: Great Sand Dunes Entrance Station
Approximate drive: 48.4 mi · over 1 hr (83 min)
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- For real-time information, contact the San Carlos Ranger District at (719) 269-8500.
Site capacity
- Campsite capacity is limited to 8 people, with options for 2 tents and 2 vehicles or 1 RV.
Wildlife & food storage
- Secure food and cooking utensils to prevent bear encounters and maintain cleanliness.
- Only certified weed-free hay and feed pellets are allowed.
Safety & rules
- Fireworks and firearms are strictly prohibited in the campground.
Site types & loops
- Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
General
- For more information on the Pike and San Isabel National Forests, click here
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Fees & deposits
- The camping fee covers 2 vehicles; an extra fee of $10 applies for additional vehicles.
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Last updated: October 23, 2026
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Explore Canon City, CO
Population: 17,122
Nearby city: Pueblo, CO
Approx. 75 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 5,335 ft
Canon City, CO
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service