Box Elder Rec Site campground
Box Elder Rec Site
There are several nearby points of interest that visitors can explore, including the Lizard Head Wilderness Area, which offers hiking opportunities and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The nearby town of Rico is also worth a visit, with its historic buildings and mining history.
The best time of year to visit the Box Elder Rec Site Campground is during the summer months, when temperatures are typically in the mid-70s during the day and drop to the low 40s at night. Visitors should be aware that the campground is located at an elevation of 8,300 feet, so they should be prepared for cooler temperatures and potential thunderstorms.
Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Box Elder Creek was named after the Box Elder tree, which is common in the area. The trees were used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes and were also used by early settlers to make brooms and baskets.
Overall, the Box Elder Rec Site Campground area is a beautiful and peaceful spot to enjoy the natural beauty of Colorado.
What's on-site at Box Elder Rec Site
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Box Elder Rec Site, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Sheep Point Dispersed | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Site Road - Aggregate | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Snaggletooth Disperse Sites | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Bradfield | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Bradfield Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Box Elder Rec Site -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dolores River Near Slick Rock | 11 cfs | → |
| Dolores River At Dolores | 478 cfs | → |
| South Creek Above Reservoir Near Monticello | 0 cfs | → |
| Lost Canyon Creek Near Dolores | 0 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Above Trail Canyon Near Cortez | 33 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Box Elder Rec Site -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slick Rock 1.3 N | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Hovenweep National Monument | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cortez Coop & Upper Colorado Site | 5.0 in | 1.9 in | → |
| Buckboard Flat | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Buckboard Flat | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Black Mesa | 5.0 in | -11.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Hovenweep National Monument-Square Tower
- Cortez City
- Cortez Family Recreation Center
- Nucla Town Park
Boat launches
- Boat Ramp - Aggregate
- Mountain Sheep Point Rec Site
- County Road S 16951, Dolores County
- Boat Ramp - Aggregate - 20' X 65'
- Colorado Street Montezuma County
Fishing spots
- Narraguinnep Reservoir
- Mcphee Reservoir
- Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble Swa)
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Totten Lake
- Denny Lake
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Box Elder Rec Site as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Box Elder Rec Site
Can I make reservations at Box Elder Rec Site?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Box Elder Rec Site?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Box Elder Rec Site.