V19E3: Featured Campsite
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V19E3: Featured Campsite
Christopher Shontz
This board contains location information for a charming, van-accessible, cellular connected, dispersed boondocking site located in southwestern Colorado.
Updated ago
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Great spot near Durango!
The forest road entrance is barely noticeable off the highway, and since it's flanked by residential properties, it's easily overlooked; especially with La Plata canyon looming on the road ahead. At the end of the half-mile spur, an idyllic, grassy, dispersed campsites that checks all the boxes!
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Hesperus Boondocking
@venture4wd
This site is a best-kept secret! We frequent Durango, Colorado, and there are very few boondocking sites near city limits that are private, and charming, and offer great cellular connectivity. This is located in a grassy flatland near the entrance of La Plata Canyon in San Juan National Forest, at the end of a primitive forest road 571.G, only a half-mile from pavement. It's flat with some low vegetation offering shade and shelter. There is a stone fire ring, and it's spacious enough for three or four vehicles. The road itself is narrow in a couple of spots so there is the possibility of scratches for larger vehicles, but high-clearance and four-wheel drive not required if you are careful. This parcel of San Juan National Forest is flanked by multi-million dollar mansions, which are not visible from the campsite. This forest road, according to the MVUM, is open year-round, though snow might challenge access. Strong cellular service, and a great view of the sky for Starlink. Privacy is superb. During our first week at this site, we saw absolutely no one in mid-October. La Plata Canyon is just a short drive away for hiking and four-wheel drive adventure. Only 15 minutes from downtown Durango, this is THE best place to camp for productivity, accessibility, and charming solitude near Durango, Colorado, hands down.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Shontz
Since 2017, I've traveled full-time throughout the United States and Canada. Today, I'm based in Tucson, Arizona, United States, and specialize in vehicle-supported adventure, remote camping experiences in Arizona, and delicious places to eat and drink around Tucson.
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