FAQs
There is much to know about the Rio Grande National Forest. From planning a trip for your summer vacation to how and where we are conducting a timber harvest. Naturally, you have questions! Our pages have tons of information but we've complied a list of questions that our amazing Visitor Information Specialists respond to on a regular basis. Take a look here to see if these questions are the same as a few folks before you have asked. But if you don't find the answer to your question, give us a call!
Most of the Rio Grande National Forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served and not reservable. However, for those that are, all reservations for campgrounds or cabins must be made through Recreation.gov. Visit their site at https://www.recreation.gov or call them at 1-877-444-6777. Please note that each reservation will have a processing fee added.
You may camp on the Rio Grande National Forest for up to 14 days within any continuous 30-day period. See the special order here.
Dispersed camping is camping outside of developed campgrounds. There is no fee to dispersed camp. Sites are not maintained, tracked, or reservable. Certain rules still apply.
Campfires are generally allowed on the Rio Grande National Forest. However, there are certain rules that must be followed to ensure your fires are safe and will not harm others or cause damage to our natural resources.
- Check for Fire Restrictions BEFORE you leave home! Plan accordingly if there are fire restriction in the area you plan to visit.
- Choose a safe location for your fire. Use existing metal or rock rings if available.
- Bring plenty of water and a shovel
- Never leave your fire unattended! Ever.
- Use the drown, stir, and feel method to fully extinguish your fire before leaving. Remember, if it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave!
Campers can gather firewood for their use while on the forest. The wood must be used or left on site. If you would like to bring firewood home, it is subject to the rules of a firewood permit. See below.
A permit authorizing firewood and other forest products removal is generally required. But don’t worry, it’s generally pretty easy to get one if they are available. Users can purchase a firewood permit online or come into an office to get them.
Colorado law requires all anglers to have a valid fishing license when fishing, including all the waters within the Rio Grande National Forest. This is a state-run program, and we do not sell these licenses in our offices. To buy a fishing license, visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife at: https://cpw.state.co.us/fishing.
Colorado OHV tags are required for operating motorcycles, four wheelers, side by sides and snowmobiles on the Rio Grande National Forest. This is a state-run program, and we do not sell these tags in our offices. Visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife at https://cpw.state.co.us/activities/off-highway-vehicles-and-snowmobiles or call the local CPW office at (719) 587-6900.
Well, on the maps page, of course! Purchase maps from our partners at the San Juan Mountains Association by clicking on the title link of By Visitor Maps Online. Or you can go to the USGS store. Here’s the link:
Or, you can visit us at any of our district offices and buy one from us. Come on by!
Penitente and Zapata Fall campgrounds are managed by the BLM San Luis Valley Field Office. Please call 1-719-852-7074 to reach the BLM field office. They are both also available on recreation.gov.
Contact the Conejos Peak District if you plan to be south of the park, or call the Saguache District if you will go north of the park.
We regularly recommend that visitors go across the valley to the 41G or G roads to camp on National Forest land if they can’t get into Penitente or Zapata campgrounds. The travel distance is just as close to camp in the 41G area as it is to camp at North Crestone. No place is truly close.
Duncan Cabin is located north of the Sand Dunes and allows access to the north side of the park. Keep in mind that it is a non-motorized area and an approximately 10-mile hike to the park. Access Duncan Cabin from the Liberty Trailhead. Visit the Duncan Cabin page for directions.
E-bikes are considered motorized transport and are only allowed on designated motorized roads and trails as depicted on the MVUM.
To protect the natural resources and investment of our national forest system roads, many are subjected to an annual spring closure from March 15 to May 15. This closure can be found on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps.
Find Motor Vehicle Use Maps here.
Some roads are closed to wheeled vehicle traffic to protect winter grooming.
There also may be times when roads are closed due to special circumstances such as wildfires, floods, washouts or other emergency situations. Those closures will be posted on our social media channels and our Alerts page.
Unless specifically authorized and stated on the web page, horses and livestock are not allowed at campgrounds and cabins.
It is important to protect our nations treasured public lands from invasive species. To help with that, the Rocky Mountain Region of the Forest Service prohibits the possession or use of all feed and forage products unless they are certified weed-free.
Visit the Alerts page for the weed free forage and other important special orders.