Rio Grande National Forest — lakeside, fishingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
DEL NORTE, CO, CO★ 4.7 (173 reviews)From $29/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
Big Meadows is located in the San Juan Mountains in south-central Colorado, about 11 miles west of South Fork. The campground is lightly wooded with spruce trees, creating a beautiful meadow atmosphere. The Rio Grande National Forest spans 1.86 million acres in south-central Colorado.
Best for:AnglersBoatersWildlife watchersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV60 ft
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
ADA sites44 sites
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsDump StationBoat Launch
Recreation
Picnic TablesCamp Host
Family & Pets
Drinking WaterFishing
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups - none available at most sites✕ You plan to camp outside May-October seasonal window
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a popular federal campground
Located 11 miles west of South Fork near the Continental Divide
Bring self-contained RV setup since there are no hookups available
Best: May-October
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, American Pika, Least Chipmunk, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Muskrat, Red-tailed Hawk, Mountain Chickadee, Common Merganser, Greater Short-horned Lizard, and Wandering Garter Snake documented in the area
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
435-245-6521· Rio Grande National Forest
Getting there →
From South Fork, Colorado, take Highway 160 for 13 miles west, turn onto Forest Road 410 SW, and go 1.8 miles to Big Meadows Campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Rio Grande National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Rio Grande National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) cost per night?+
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) costs $29–$99 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) open?+
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)?+
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet.
How do I make reservations at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)?+
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) open, and what are check-in times?+
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$29 /night★ 4.7 (173)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) cost per night?+
What season is Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) open?+
Does Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) have hookups?+
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