roadtripper284592

Interesting spot. Seems that the reason for the State Park dried up when the lake did - no lake in sight, just the lake bed. Big CG with some sites having electric, ramadas (shelters), picnic tables and fire pits. Views of the Sand Dunes and the Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Lots of wind when we were there. Camp host stopped by about 3 minutes after we backed into a site to check that we (both of us) had Colorado fishing licenses. It is free if you have a Colorado fishing or hunting license.
No water, as others have mentioned and no trees. Dump station operational but without water.

Just stayed at Blanco CG for 4 nights starting on Oct 3rd. Large, private sites with lots of bushy junipers and a scattering of ponderosa pines. Very quiet! Lots of stars!

We had electric and water hookups(contrary to website info). Shower house/flush toilets shut due to insufficient water supply. Host said we could use showers at El Vado Lake(which is drained). Didn’t try that since it was 15 or more miles away. Plus the water issue was unclear to me as far as water being dispensed from 4 to 6PM. Lake level low, visitor center only open on weekends (maybe Friday also). Stairway to Chama River from TH closed, only access to river via steep lower dam service road.

Suggest bringing everything you need as there ain’t much in the way of civilization around. Small hamlets, 2 gas stations around Tierra Amarilla. Family Dollar and a hardware store also in the same area.

Great location if you’re looking to ride the Cumbres and Toltec train, as we did. Amazing Fall colors along the highway and especially along the train route!

A pricey campground conveniently located next to Hwy 40. Didn't explore the park area other than to check out the Facilities (shower, laundry, etc.). Had electric but no water hookup. A little sun/wind/picnic table shelter with a few big cottonwoods nearby.
We don't normally stay at Colorado State Parks because they are expensive and often times, you don't get much for your money. But this time we didn't have many choices along Hwy 40 in NW Colorado.

Really like this campground. We don't often camp in an "urban" venue but this is so nice and right on the edge of civilization, so to speak. It's perfect for us because we camp mostly in Forest Service and BLM sites, feels good to take shower and have some connectivity. Not to mention the view of the Santa Catalina Mountains which is almost mind blowing. Great facilities, modern restrooms with showers, dbl dump stations in each loop.

Some good trails from the campground as well as other more adventurous ones just down the road. We've stayed here on three different road trips starting in 2019 and keep coming back (as long as we can get a reservation, which ain't easy). Did an early exit in March of 2020 when the Pandemic hit.

Our trips have always been in March or April and we been lucky to experience dealing with running water, a bonus in the desert - sometimes a little and sometimes enough to fill Sutherland Wash.
One other important note - No wood fires are allowed. Some, including us, use a propane firebowl.

Arrived on Wednesday, April 14th, 2022. First come CG, many sites open. We chose one on the outside which I think was a pull-through.
A decent CG, most attractive because it's convenient to the Canyon and the town of Chinle which has a relatively new grocery store, Bashas' and a Burger King. The CG was clean and quiet with large cottonwoods providing shade. Nothing fancy just functional. Water available, dump station and cell service (Verizon).
Must have been lucky, encountered no goat heads. Walked to the Visitors Center from our campsite.
Nothing negative happened when we were there.

Took the south rim drive that afternoon, stopping at 6 of the 7 scenic overlooks. White House trailhead, the only public access to the Canyon is still closed as mentioned. Spider Rock Overlook was our favorite. Booked a 3 hour private jeep tour for Friday morning.
Drove the north rim Thursday, only 3 overlooks there but they were cool. A bit more driving than the south rim I think.
Highly recommend doing the Canyon Tour, the only way you can see the inside of the Canyon unless you're a tribal member. Lots of folks doing the same.

Relatively newly upgraded campground with paved road, brick vault toilets and concrete picnic table pads. Seems like it could be a windy place but thankfully it wasn't during our stay. One drawback is no water. There is a water fill station at nearby Lost Creek CG. No dump stations in any of the CGs along the high portions of the Mirror Lake Hwy.
Like many remotely located CGs, you'll want to bring everything you need as the nearest resupply points are 40 miles away in either Evanston (which has about anything you could need) or Kamas, where options are fewer. There are dump stations in both locations.
At 10,000' this is high altitude camping! Weather, sun protection and hydration become paramount considerations. Though we didn't experience them when we were there in early August, mosquitos could be a major issue earlier in the summer.
No cell service (Verizon) in the CG but we did find some coverage on Bald Mountain Pass and at The Notch.