Priest Gulch Campground: Colorado Camping at its Finest

RV Life

The Dolores River runs near Priest Gulch Campground.

The US is an incredibly diverse country that has a little bit of everything. If you’re looking for a a camping destination that has the perfect mixture of forests, mountains, and wide open spaces, Priest Gulch Campground & RV Park is a great fit. Thanks to the geological activity in this area, there are also some amazing natural hot springs where you can soak your worries away.

Colorado is a popular state for outdoorsy types who love hiking, skiing, and mountain-climbing. But it also has a fascinating history that has been well-preserved over the years. Visitors can explore ghost towns, ancient ruins, and museums that cover the historical significance of the area.

And at the end of the day, you can return to Priest Gulch Campground. This is a cozy RV park that puts you right in the heart of the forest. So whether you’re here for a bucket-list hike, a tour into the past, or a long relaxing soak, you’re camping in the right place.

Overview

Priest Gulch Campground & RV Park is located in Dolores, Colorado. It’s in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, so you can enjoy stunning views here. Although Dolores is a fairly small and remote town, it’s a great midpoint between cities like Telluride and Mesa Verde National Park.

The Dolores River also runs right next to the campground. Many of the RV sites are waterfront, so campers can enjoy the soothing sound of running water, as well as opportunities for fishing, wading, and bird-watching.

Priest Gulch Campground & RV Park is a decent size, with 97 sites available. Tent camping is also permitted, and there is also a selection of cabins if you want to spread out a little more. All of the RV sites come with full hookups for water, sewage, and electricity, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a prime spot.

Many people like to visit Colorado in the winter, due to the popular ski resorts and cold-weather attractions. But this particular campground is only open on a seasonal basis. Guests can stay here anywhere between May 1 and October 14, so be sure to check those dates if you plan to travel through Colorado this year.

Rates

Although this is a popular camping destination, it’s not very expensive. Even though all the sites come with full hookups, it only costs $56 per night. This rate is for a two-person campsite, and each additional camper will cost an extra $2. There is also a refundable deposit if you need to change or cancel your booking (although the park requires four weeks of advance notice).

If you prefer to rough it, tent sites are also available for an even lower price. The rates start at $25 per night. Just remember that the same rules about additional fees apply to these sites as well.

Finally, there are 10 cabins on-site as well. These are fully furnished, including linens, kitchen essentials, TVs, and more. The cheapest cabin is $70 per night and the most expensive is $175 per night.

For more information about the camping accommodations and prices, visit the campground website at priestgulch.com

Amenities

The amenities at Priest Gulch Campground & RV Park are fairly basic, but they’ll ensure that you have a comfortable visit. As previously mentioned, each RV has easy access to water, sewage drains, and electricity. With this setup, you can comfortably live in your RV for the entire duration of your visit.

But if you need a little more space to freshen up, this campground also provides bathrooms and showers to anyone who wants them. Rest assured that these facilities are clean and fully functional. Laundry machines are also located on-site so you can easily wash your clothes when necessary.

The RV sites also come with picnic tables and fire pits. However, due to wildfire concerns, campers might not always be allowed to start their own wood-burning fires. To make up for this, propane grills and fire rings are provided by the campground, so you can still cook outdoors in a safe way. Be sure to check the park website for up-to-date information about fire regulations.

If you need to stock up on a few necessities, check the camp store. This is combined with the office and lodge, so it’s a one-stop-shop for all your needs. Guests can also take advantage of the outdoor pet area, playground, gazebo, and recreational trails scattered throughout the property.

This whole campground is also located in a lovely wooded area with a river running through it. It’s a great place to stretch your legs and just enjoy the scenery.

Nearby Activities/Attractions

Dolores is a tiny town, with a population of less than 1,000. But it still has some interesting attractions for visitors to enjoy.

If you’re willing to spend a night away from the campground, you can visit Dunton Hot Springs. This is a premium resort that is built around a ghost town from the 1800s. Guests can enjoy private access to natural hot springs. You can even rent out the entire venue if you want to host a special event here.

Looking for a day on the water? Try the McPhee Reservoir. This scenic lake is the perfect place to cruise around on a boat, angle for fish, or just soak in the cool water. You can also hike along Geyser Spring Trail if you want to experience the geothermal activity in this area.

Other interesting tourist spots near Dolores include the Rio Grande Southern Railroad Museum, the Circle K Ranch, and the Canyon of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum. The dining options here are a bit limited, but some of the most popular spots include:

Reviews

There are several well-reviewed campgrounds in this area, but Priest Gulch Campground & RV Park stands out from the crowd. Because the competition is strong here, you know that the best campgrounds have to be a cut above.

In many parts of the country, campers have to settle for parks that fall in the 6–7/10 star range. But this RV park has rave reviews from guests (and a lot of them!) The overall score on RV LIFE Campgrounds is 9.2/10, making it a favorite park in the state of Colorado.

It also scored a 4.7/5 rating on Google Reviews. So it seems like campers have positive feelings about this park, regardless of their chosen platform.

Visitors really love the natural setting, and many people even praised the river specifically! It runs close to the campground, so the sound was the perfect white noise for a good night’s sleep. Others complimented how clean the whole park was. It takes a lot of effort to maintain a campground in a wooded area, but the management here is up to the task.

The main complaint here is that some of the sites are kind of close together. But thanks to the trees that break up the grounds, you can still enjoy a bit of privacy. A few guests also had some trouble connecting to the Wi-Fi here, so be prepared for that possibility before you arrive.

In general, visitors loved their visit at the Priest Gulch Campground & RV Park. Many people said that they would gladly stay here again! To read more first-hand stories from guests, be sure to check out this campground’s page on RV LIFE Campgrounds. And if you’re ever stayed here, feel free to share your own feedback!

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