OutReserve

Purgatoire Campground

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.

Number of accommodations: 13

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 open - May 15 to Sep 19

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
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 04, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 06, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 07, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 08, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 09, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
11, Loop: PURGATOIRE
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 14, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
15, Loop: PURGATOIRE
8 guests · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: PURGATOIRE
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (119)

What Guests Are Saying

Purgatoire Campground is praised for its peaceful, remote setting and beautiful natural surroundings, making it a favorite among campers. The camp host, Mark, receives consistent commendation for his attentiveness and cleanliness of the facilities. While the road can be rough and some sites are not suited for larger RVs, the overall camping experience is described as wonderful, with access to great hiking and fishing opportunities.

Review Summary

4.5
119 reviews
5
65.5%
78
4
23.5%
28
3
8.4%
10
2
0.0%
0
1
2.5%
3

nick r

Verified

July 28, 2023 Stayed at: 18, Loop: PURGATOIRE

4

Private- remote- rustic-altitude- flies

Lisa C

Verified

July 24, 2023 Stayed at: 14, Loop: PURGATOIRE

3

The vault toilets were completely full and really gross. There are no pictures of the sites on the website, so we had to reserve them 'blind'. The three sites we reserved looked close to each other on the map but in reality, were quite separated by trees and terraine. We weren't able to gather as a family like we thought we could. Our camper barely fit in the space and took some creative placement (and a lot of work) to make it fit. There was no dumpster and we had to pack out all of our trash. The small trash cans provided were not adequate. On the bright side, the campground was clean, the cute little towns nearby had gas and supplies, and the lake provided lots of water fun for our family. The access road is described on recreation.gov as not passable by RVs/Campers but we found the road in very good condition and not a problem at all. With better attention to the toilets, trash and online pics, I would be able to give the campground a higher rating.

Lisa C

Verified

July 24, 2023 Stayed at: 14, Loop: PURGATOIRE

3

The vault toilets were completely full and really gross. There are no pictures of the sites on the website, so we had to reserve them 'blind'. The three sites we reserved looked close to each other on the map but in reality, were quite separated by trees and terraine. We weren't able to gather as a family like we thought we could. Our camper barely fit in the space and took some creative placement (and a lot of work) to make it fit. There was no dumpster and we had to pack out all of our trash. The small trash cans provided were not adequate. On the bright side, the campground was clean, the cute little towns nearby had gas and supplies, and the lake provided lots of water fun for our family. The access road is described on recreation.gov as not passable by RVs/Campers but we found the road in very good condition and not a problem at all. With better attention to the toilets, trash and online pics, I would be able to give the campground a higher rating.

Stacy H

Verified

July 12, 2023 Stayed at: 15, Loop: PURGATOIRE

5

The campground was clean and quiet. It is easily accessed from the highway. The vault toilets were clean and the drinking water was centrally located in the camp. The area was beautiful and well-maintained. I will definitely stay here again!

Stacy H

Verified

July 12, 2023 Stayed at: 15, Loop: PURGATOIRE

5

The campground was clean and quiet. It is easily accessed from the highway. The vault toilets were clean and the drinking water was centrally located in the camp. The area was beautiful and well-maintained. I will definitely stay here again!

VS B

Verified

July 7, 2023 Stayed at: 18, Loop: PURGATOIRE

5

Camp host, Mark, was super nice.

VS B

Verified

July 7, 2023 Stayed at: 18, Loop: PURGATOIRE

5

Camp host, Mark, was super nice.

Noah McGehee

Noah McGehee

June 30, 2023

5

I had a handful of questions about the area, rules and regs for our trip. The ranger I spoke with on the phone was extremely helpful, knowledgeable and patient. Never had an interaction with one in person, but over-the-phone it was a great experience.

Google Maps

Michael O

Verified

June 5, 2023 Stayed at: 20, Loop: PURGATOIRE

4

Many fellow tent campers. Sites are widely spaced apart. Not really any tent pads but the parking areas can be used. We were there over Memorial day weekend and the nearby trails were wet or covered in snow. The birds were out though. Happy to have hummingbirds at our site! Lots of small trees available for hammock-ing. Overall, this area is remote. And thats a good thing!

Michael O

Verified

June 5, 2023 Stayed at: 20, Loop: PURGATOIRE

4

Many fellow tent campers. Sites are widely spaced apart. Not really any tent pads but the parking areas can be used. We were there over Memorial day weekend and the nearby trails were wet or covered in snow. The birds were out though. Happy to have hummingbirds at our site! Lots of small trees available for hammock-ing. Overall, this area is remote. And thats a good thing!

Location Purgatoire Campground

Address:
San Carlos Ranger District, 3028 East Main Street
Canon City, CO, 81212
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 37.2525 / -105.109

Elevation: 2959 feet

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 5, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service