Rio Grande campground
Rio Grande
Reservations are not accepted at the Rio Grande camping area; it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early, especially during peak times, to secure a campsite. The best time to visit this camping area is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, and bird watching. However, it is advisable to check weather conditions before planning a trip, as heavy rainfall can lead to flash floods in the area.
While enjoying the Rio Grande camping area, campers should be cautious of wildlife encounters, particularly bears. It is crucial to store food securely and follow all guidelines to prevent attracting wildlife. Additionally, campers should be aware of fire restrictions, respecting any bans or limitations in place to prevent wildfires. By taking these precautions, visitors can fully appreciate the beauty of the Rio Grande camping area.
What's on-site at Rio Grande
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 Rio Grande, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Marshall Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Marshall Park Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Ivy Creek Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Ivy Creek | ✗ | ✓ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Rio Grande -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 1,060 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 131 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 719 cfs | → |
| South Fork Rio Grande At South Fork | 562 cfs | → |
| Lake Fork Blw Lake San Cristobal Nr Lake City | 135 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Rio Grande -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creede 0.2 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Middle Creek | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Middle Creek | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Upper Rio Grande | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Upper Rio Grande | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Slumgullion | 0.0 in | 0.0 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
- Wilderness La Garita
- Wilderness Powderhorn
- Wilderness Weminuche
- Gunnison National Forest
- Wilderness Uncompahgre
- Town Park
Boat launches
- Cr 10 Hinsdale County
- Rito Hondo Reservoir Boating Site
- Cr 11 Hinsdale County
- Alberta Lake Fishing Site
Fishing spots
- Love Lake Picnic Site
- Road Canyon Reservoir
- Road Canyon Reservoir Number 1
- Road Canyon Dam Fishing Site
- Brown Lakes Swa
- Rito Hondo Reservoir
Points of interest
- North Clear Creek Falls Observation Site
- Lake San Cristobal Overlook
- San Juan Overlook
- Treasure Falls Observation Site
- Lake City Ice Wall
- Sherman Overlook
Paddle runs
- Below Rio Grande Reservoir (Sec 13, T40n, R4w) To Spring Creek (Sec 31, T41n, R2w)
- Sec 10, T42n, R1e To Sec 13, T41n, R1e
- East Fork--Unnamed Ponds Approx 1/4 Mile Below Continental Divide To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
- Sec 30, T41n, R2e To Sec 11, T40n, R2e
- Snowslide Canyon Creek--Headwaters To Confluence With Los Pinos
- Middle Fork--Headwaters To Weminuche Wilderness Boundary
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 Rio Grande as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Rio Grande
Can I make reservations at Rio Grande?
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 Rio Grande?
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 Rio Grande.