Purgatoire Campground

San Carlos Ranger District, 3028 East Main Street, Canon City, Colorado, United States
Check Availability
PURGATOIRE CAMPGROUND
PURGATOIRE CAMPGROUND
PURGATOIRE CAMPGROUND
PURGATOIRE CAMPGROUND
PURGATOIRE CAMPGROUND

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 sites
RV Sites 11 sites Check Availability

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

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

Reviews

138 reviews

Summary

AI generated

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

Write a review
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
Newest First Oldest First

Bert L

Verified

August 27, 2024 Stayed at: 07, Loop: PURGATOIRE

Always enjoy coming up here!

Helpful

Bert L

Verified

August 27, 2024 Stayed at: 07, Loop: PURGATOIRE

Always enjoy coming up here!

Helpful

Lynn A

Verified

August 1, 2024 Stayed at: 09, Loop: PURGATOIRE

It was a beautiful area. The host, Mark, was so helpful and just a pleasure to talk to. It took a day to adjust to the altitude (9,800 ft) but after that it was just wonderful.

Helpful

Lynn A

Verified

August 1, 2024 Stayed at: 09, Loop: PURGATOIRE

It was a beautiful area. The host, Mark, was so helpful and just a pleasure to talk to. It took a day to adjust to the altitude (9,800 ft) but after that it was just wonderful.

Helpful

Christopher R

Verified

July 25, 2024 Stayed at: 22, Loop: PURGATOIRE

wonderful, somewhat remote, campground, next to great hiking and fishing!!

Helpful

Christopher R

Verified

July 25, 2024 Stayed at: 22, Loop: PURGATOIRE

wonderful, somewhat remote, campground, next to great hiking and fishing!!

Helpful

hope V

Verified

July 17, 2024 Stayed at: 08, Loop: PURGATOIRE

No phone, no lights, no internet, no kids acting like fools (at least on this past trip) just nature and quiet, plus the camp host was nice too. Thank you

Helpful

hope V

Verified

July 17, 2024 Stayed at: 08, Loop: PURGATOIRE

No phone, no lights, no internet, no kids acting like fools (at least on this past trip) just nature and quiet, plus the camp host was nice too. Thank you

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.

Nearest town

Canon City, CO - 134 mi

About over 2 hr (156 min) to downtown

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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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

San Luis

18 mi away

City
Explore destination

La Veta

18 mi away

Day trip
Explore destination

Walsenburg

31 mi away

City

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

Learn more about Canon City

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