V19E4: Featured Campsites and Waterfall
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V19E4: Featured Campsites and Waterfall
Christopher Shontz
This board contains location information for the campsites that I stayed at in this episode, and also an amazing waterfall hike!
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Camping near Pagosa
San Juan National Forest, north of Pagosa Springs, Colorado, offers miles of winding and scenic forest roads, suitable for most vans, trucks, and SUVs.
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Riverside Dispersed Site
@venture4wd
A phenomenal dispersed campsite in San Juan National Forest, not far from Pagosa Springs, Colorado. This site is flat, off of a groomed forest road, and suitable for several vehicles. It is located on the bank of a picturesque mountain river, and features a large stone fire ring and a picnic table. It is otherwise a primitive site. It is suitable for all vehicles, and was ideal for our Winnebago Revel. There is no cell service and too many trees for Starlink, so expect to be offline. Great hiking opportunities nearby. Privacy is fairly poor, as this is a high-traffic area for recreation, hiking, hunting, and other activities. There are neighboring campsites that are also very nice, but expect this area to be very popular and occupied in peak season. We stayed in mid October, and it was vacant. This is probably the best campsite en route to Piedra Falls.
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Piedra Falls
This is a short waterfall hike with a spectacular payoff. The trailhead is at the end of a long forest road, and is accessible with any vehicle. The falls themselves are worth a visit!
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Piedra Falls Trailhead
@venture4wd
The Piedra Falls trailhead is a spacious gravel parking area with hiking access, and there are a number of dispersed campsites here, which were vacant in mid October. Accessible by any vehicle, and a half-mile hike to the falls.
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Piedra Falls
@venture4wd
It is a half-mile hike to the falls from the parking area. It is very scenic, and not very strenuous with minimal change in elevation. It's a great, short hike with a huge payoff. The terrain is moderately technical, especially up close and personal with the waterfalls. The falls themselves are absolutely beautiful, at the foot of a towering canyon. Recommended in fall, for vibrant colors!
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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.
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
4 places
4 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
1 photo
Beautiful, hi-res photos from the creator
1 video
HD creator videos that bring the destination to life
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Colorado
La Plata Canyon
Pagosa Ranger District
Pagosa Springs
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Camping near Pagosa
Piedra Falls
La Plata Canyon
Camping
Nature
Hiking
Waterfall
Adventure
RV
Mountain
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