Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
Rio Grande National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: DEL NORTE, CO, CO
Price: From $29 per night
Price range: $29–$99 per night
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (173 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-meadows-reservoir-campground-south-central-co to be notified when sites open up.
Big Meadows Reservoir Campground offers 47 sites in a lightly wooded spruce meadow setting within the Rio Grande National Forest's 1.86 million acres of diverse ecosystems. The campground features an accessible fishing pier, boat launch, and day-use area with multiple recreation opportunities.
Wildlife alert: 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
Insider tips for Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co): Book 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
Skip Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) if: You need RV hookups - none available at most sites. You plan to camp outside May-October seasonal window.
Best time to visit Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co): May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: West Fork Campground (San Juan NF, CO), East Fork Campground (San Juan Nf - Co) (Pagosa Springs, CO), Elwood Cabin (La Jara, CO), Alder Guard Station (Del Norte, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)
Cell signal at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) (DEL NORTE, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
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
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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?+
What season is Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) open?+
Does Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)?+
How do I make reservations at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)?+
What is the cell service like at Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co)?+
What season is Big Meadows Reservoir Campground (South Central Co) open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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