NFS Campground Review – Cayton, San Juan Forest, Rico, CO

View near camphost site at Cayton. "Shaggy" the marmot (on the rock) has been co-camp-host for many years here.

A wonderful forest service campground high in the SW Colorado mountains on Hwy 145 near Rico, CO.

Link to campground here: Cayton Campground, Rico, CO
Link to map location here: Cayton Campground, Rico,CO

1. Site Quality = 4.5/5
   For forest service it rarely gets any better than this. The sites at Cayton were entirely renovated a few years back and it definitely shows. They are large, spacious, flat compacted dirt with good separation (bar a very few exceptions), nice selection of open or shaded and great sitting areas. Each site also has a picnic table, fire-pit and an area to pitch a tent. There are 2 loops
   -> A lower “big RV” loop (sites 2-20) all of which have 50 Amp hookups and several of which sit right next to the stream (particularly sites 10, 13-16), but do have the disadvantage of being right next to the road as well
   -> An upper “small RV” loop (sites 21-27) which is further up the hill (away from the road) and has just as big sites as the lower loop, but simply no hookups. Our 40-footer could fit into either loop without issue, frankly.
   We thought all the sites nice, but the most private were probably #10, #11 in the lower loop and #21, #22 in the upper. My only (veeery minor) ding is that the lower loop sites do get some noise from the Hwy which runs right next door. However the lovely river sound washes out most of it.
2.  Facilities = 3.5/5
   Very decent facilities here. There are several new (modern) and spacious pit toilets and several on-site drinking water spigots. Also a dump station but this is *only* for black tank (you are legally allowed to dump gray at your site, believe it or not).
3. Location = 5/5
   I really think this is a fabulous location. Set high in the CO mountains there are stunning views from several points in camp as well as jeeping (Bolam Pass goes right from the entrance) and direct access to the river from the campground entrance area (this is apparently a prime fly-fishing spot). There is a lovely ”hidden” trail next to Site #21 and endless hiking at Lizard Head Wilderness only a few miles north on Hwy 145. Also you’re only ~6 miles from Rico (with restaurants, cafe) and ~15 miles from Telluride (shopping, restaurants etc.)
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Fabulous spot for doggie. Lots of space to hang out in camp as well as access to romp and play in the river (from your site or just outside the main campground). On-site walking trail near site #21 as well as miles of hiking in nearby mountains.

Overall Rating = 4.5
BONUS ALERT = Camp next to river and mountains at 9,400 feet!

Summary: Well, we simply LOVED this campground and area. Set beautifully in the high Colorado mountains at 9,400 feet, this is the gateway to endless hiking in the stunning Lizard Head Wilderness and the cool towns of Rico & Telluride. The campground is set right next to a stream with spacious sites, good separation and great “sitting areas”. Selection of choices from river-side (#10-16), to upper loop, from electric (50Amp) to nonhookup and from more open to fully shaded. LOTS of outdoor activities here including hiking, fly-fishing, jeeping and sightseeing. Very decent access throughout (a few tightish turns in the back of the lower loop, but nothing that worried us).  The only minor ding I could give the place is that the lower loop is right below Hwy 145 and you can hear some of the traffic in camp (mind you this is true of almost all the campgrounds on this stretch of road), but from our site most of the noise was washed out by the running river. In summer this spot is perfectly cool and absolutely delightful. This was most definitely our kinda camp and we would certainly come back.

 Extra Info:  NO Verizon signal here (zippo, zip, nada) -> free WiFi at the Dew South Cafe in Rico ~6 miles south. Sites cost $20/night for electric (50Amp), $15/night for non-hookup. 27 sites on 2 loops, with 18 electric. 16 sites are reservable, with other half first-come, first-serve. On site dump station (for black tank only -> you are legally allowed to dump grey at the sites).

 Extra, Extra Info – BOONDOCKING: There are actually a slew of boondocking sites in the open forest service and BLM land alongside Hwy 145. Two particular areas near milemarker 43 and 44 looked easily accessible, open and firm enough to take big rigs. If you have a smaller/lighter rig there are some more private and simply stunning spots up at the top by Lizard Head Pass (take the dirt road to the right towards East Fork trailhead at the pass and you’ll see several previously used spots)

Typical pull-through site (#1 shown)

Typical back-in site (lower loop #12 shown)

Front view of our site (#15)

View of lovely "sitting area". This was our site (#15). The river runs right behind (Paul is standing there) and Hwy 145 up above to the left.

View down lower campground loop (site #6 on left, #5 behind in the back)

Another view down lower campground loop. Our site #15 on right, with #16 & 17 behind.

Another view into lower loop. Sites #20, 19, 18 shown left to right

View down upper loop. Sites #25, 26, 27 shown front to back.

View of facilities

Hanging out by the river near camp

Mountain Chic – Telluride, CO

View of Sheep Mountain (13,188 feet) from Lizard Head Pass

I’m back at the Dew South Café reconnecting with the world. First of all I’ve got to say I LOVED all the feedback on my last blog post. Many of the responses had me spurting out my coffee in giggles, much to the amusement of my fellow café-goers.

Life is about love, laughter and sharing experiences, and I truly felt all of that  coming through in those comments. So, thank you again for making blogging such a fun and interactive experience. It keeps me engaged, motivated and thoroughly honored to have you all as followers!

The gorgeous road to Telluride on Hwy 145

As for goings on, we’ve had a busy few days playing out here in the mountains. Lots of positive things have happened including a chance encounter, a couple of fun outings, some outstanding hikes and a nomination from a fellow blogger to participate in a fun online thread. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Let’s start with life at 9,000+ feet in the SW Colorado Mountains. It’s the playground of the outdoors, destination of ski bums and nature hippies, and home to the rich and famous. All this mixes to a vast and wild wilderness dotted with cute mountain towns, touched by a sense of both the ultra-rustic and the ultra-fancy. We have both right here within ~20 miles of driving in either direction of our campground. On the south side is Rico is an old mining town which retains much of it’s unique character including the unusual collection of folks who make it their home. On the north there’s Telluride and Mountain Village, a destination that blends history with new-style chic.

Old and new combine at Telluride, CO

For today’s blog post we’ll take a ride to the north for a bit of class. We’ve put on our best hiking pants, brushed doggie to a fine and fluffy shine and loaded up the car for our drive through the mountains. The trip to Telluride is a fabulous wind over Lizard Head Pass, past 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks and through the stunning curves of Hwy 145.

You can still find some of the old hippy-time culture hidden around town

The town itself, like most of the mountain towns here has a history in mining. The first prospectors settled around 1878, followed by the Rio Grande Railroad in 1890 and a massive immigration boom. Through the next 20 years Telluride churned out millions in gold and silver as well as over 350 miles of mining tunnels. Mining dropped off after WWII and the town remained lax through the 1960’s. Then winter recreation recreated the place in 1970’s and it’s been a high-class tourist destination ever since.

Puppy parking -> Now, THAT's cool!

The town has an abundance of Queen-Anne style Victorian architecture and cute, little café’s, restaurants and shops, giving the impression of a small San Francisco neighborhood transported to the mountains. You can taste the class and fame of the place, but it’s also got a softer side including a super dog-friendly slant.

On the riverwalk w/ Polly into town

There’s a pretty river-walk with free poo-bags on just about every corner, “puppy parking” throughout town and a good selection of outdoor restaurant seating for pooch and owners. Even the gondola ride (free by the way) from Telluride to Mountain Village has special doggie-friendly compartments. Combine that with a never-ending slew of summer festivals (Bluegrass, Jazz, Yoga, Art and Film, Mushroom…even a Horror Show Festival, many with free performances), miles of hiking & biking trails, and you’ve got quite the quaint little mountain experience. Paws and thumbs up from us!

We had a cappuccino with a view, some relaxing walking and a classy little day-outing for the whole family. Tomorrow we’ll get back to the dirt and wilderness and the rest of our mountain story. Until then may laughter fill your soul, love embrace your heart and the richness of life’s experience make your day.

Walking around downtown

FREE Gondola ride to Mountain Village...pooch friendly to boot!