Pine River Campground

Pine River Campground is a Forest Service primitive campground in the Columbine Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest in Colorado, about four miles beyond Middle Mountain Campground on Forest Rd. 602. It sits at the trailhead for the Pine River Trail #523 and is often used as a base camp for hikers and backpackers heading up the trail. The campground has six campsites, all of which accommodate only tents or small RVs. Each site offers views up the Pine River Valley. There is no potable water on site, and private land borders the campground, with no public access to the river until about three miles up the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from the nearby Vallecito Reservoir weather station show July highs around 80°F with lows near 53°F, while winter highs stay in the upper 30s. Vault toilets are the only facility. Horses are not allowed in the primitive campground, but the Pine River Trailhead has a parking area with a horse corral for overnight horse camping, along with hitching posts and a turn-around for trailers. Nearby, Pine River Trad and Tradistan Tower are climbing areas about a mile away, and Vallecito Campground and Middle Mountain Campground are each about 3 miles off.