About Us

History of Durango Riverside

It all started in 1965…

When this campground hosted its first guests the goal back then was simply to offer folks from around the Four Corners a place to relax and lounge along the Animas River.

Today, the property boasts 73 quality RV sites, 24 cabins and 6 tent sites. We also have a heated pool, playground, convenience store, retail shop, game room, café with a large deck for dining, laundry room, paved roadways, two bath houses, and an observation deck overlooking the Animas.

The property sits just south of Bakers Bridge, a local landmark made famous as the set of the climactic finale in the movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” – where Paul Newman and Robert Redford sat along the rocky cliffs that line the river before they famously took the plunge.

As the lifeblood of this community, the Animas River winds its way under that bridge and south toward historic downtown Durango. Everyone from whitewater enthusiasts and acclaimed fly fisherman to laidback locals in inner tubes enjoy the same flowing mountain waters miners have tapped for more than a century.

Back in 1965, the population of Durango was just over 10,000 and La Plata County almost 20,000. Today, the city itself is home to 20,000 residents while the county is closing in on a staggering 58,000.

As more and more people discover the beauty and majesty of the San Juan National Forest and surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks, the number of people flocking to the Four Corners region continues to grow.

Whether hiking, biking, horseback riding, or four-wheeling this area has an endless number of adventures to uncover. Even if it takes a lifetime to explore some of the forgotten roads in this region, these outdoor experiences offer just a glimpse of what there is to do when you visit.

People come from around the world to ride the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, listen to songs and stories from the Bar D Wranglers, hit the slopes at Purgatory Resort, or hug the guardrails along the legendary Million Dollar Highway. These are just a few of the reasons people continue to come back year after year, and generation after generation. Even here at Durango Riverside, we constantly listen to stories from guests who first came here as children and now return with their own.

It really is easy to find places where you can experience some of the wonders this community has to offer. But, there’s only one place where you can relax and lounge along the Animas River with friends and family, making memories that will stick with you for generations – Durango Riverside.

Resort Information

Check-in/Check-out: Check-out is at 11 a.m. and check-in is at 2 p.m. 
 
Deposit: We do require a deposit to confirm your stay. The deposit is equal to the first night’s stay. 
 
Cancellation Policy: There is a $35 fee for all cancellations. For reservations canceled within 30 days of the arrival date, the deposit is forfeited. 
 
Pets: Durango Riverside is a pet-friendly campground. However, we ask that all guests clean up after their pets using the stations provided, keep them on a leash, and do not leave them unattended. The fee for the first pet is included in the nightly rate for RV sites, but there is a $10 charge for each additional pet. When booking one of our pet-friendly cabins, a fee of $10 is charged for the first pet and $10 for each additional pet.
* We do have four cabins that are PET-FREE: Three glamping cabins, and one Valley View Contemporary Cabin.  
 
Visitors: All visitors to the park must check in at the front desk. 
 
Pool: Our heated pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to sundown. There is no lifeguard on duty. All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Swim diapers are required for babies and toddlers.
 
Parking: Each site or cabin includes one vehicle. Overflow parking is available, but limited. If you have any additional vehicles, trailers or equipment, you must contact the front desk to check availability and register.
 
Seasonal Offerings: We are open year-round! We have riverfront and pull-thru RV sites available for daily, weekly, and monthly rates during the winter season. We also have our Valley View Tiny Homes and Lone Cone Vacation Rental available throughout the winter. In addition, we have winter storage options from November-April. Among our amenities, our laundry room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week all year long. Our front desk/retail/convenience store is also open year-round with limited hours.  All other amenities are closed for the winter. For more information on seasonal closures or to get rates for RV sites, cabins, or storage, call us at: 970-247-4499
 
Hours of Operation:  
Front desk/Retail/Convenience Store: Open year-round. From Memorial Day to Labor Day our hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m., daily.
Hours are limited during the fall, winter, and spring seasons.  
Laundry Room: Open year-round 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  
Game Room: Open from April 1-Dec. 1, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Café: Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours will vary.  
Pool: Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. to sundown 
Bathhouses: We have two bathhouses on the property. The north bathhouse is open from May 1-Nov. 1. The south bathhouse is open from April 15-Nov. 15. 
 
Late Departures: We do allow for late departures when possible, however, you must register for a late departure with the front desk either before you arrive or upon arrival. The fee for a late departure is $25.  
 
Housekeeping: We do not offer daily housekeeping services for our cabins, but we do have laundry facilities on-site for guests to use. We include one set of linens and basic toiletries upon arrival. Guests can purchase additional toiletries in the convenience store.
 
WiFi: We offer our guests low-speed WiFi for free throughout the park. High-speed WiFi is available for a fee and guests can choose their preferred option upon arrival.  
 
Occupants: The daily rate for our RV sites includes 2 adults, 2 children, and one pet. There is a fee for each additional adult, child, and pet. Among our seven different cabin types, occupancy varies between 
2-6 people. Additional fees are dependent on the type of cabin booked. For more information, call us at: 970-247-4499. 
 
Fees:  
Additional adults: $12 
Additional children: $8 
Additional pets: $10 
Late departure: $25 per hour 
Linen package: $15 
Bath package: $10 
Linen and bath package combination: $20 
Dump fee: $15 for a single use 
Shower fee: $8 for a single use 
Water fill: $10 for a small tank, $15 for a large tank 
Laundry: $2 per wash, .25 cents per 7 minutes for the dryers 
 
Rates: We have different rates depending on the time of year and the type of site/cabin you’re interested in. We offer only daily rates from May to October in our RV sites, but we do have daily, weekly and monthly options during the winter season. We also have winter storage rates, including an option for electricity. To find out the current rate, tap BOOK NOW.
 
Discounts: We do not offer discounts during our peak season, which is Memorial Day to Labor Day. Outside those dates, we do have several discount options, including Military and First Responder. For more information, call us at: 970-247-4499

Winter closure schedule

RVs
Riverfront RV sites – open year round
Pull Thru RV sites – 19-31 are open year round; 72-78 close on Oct. 15 and reopen on May 1; 53-62 will be converted to storage spaces for the winter, they’ll close for regular bookings on Oct. 15 and reopen May 1
Super Sites – Close Oct. 15 and reopen May 1
Back In Sites – 87-89 are open year round; 41-42 and the 90s could be open year round, but they are difficult to plow so we’re keeping them closed unless we fill up and need to use them; 32, 34-40, 43-44, 49-50 will be closed Nov. 1 and reopen May 1

CABINS
Rustic Cabin – closes Nov. 1 and reopens May 1
One-Room Glamping Cabin – closes Nov. 1 and reopens April 15
Two-Room Glamping Cabin – closes Nov. 1 and reopens April 15
Deluxe Glamping Cabin – closes Oct. 15 and reopens April 15
Riverfront Tiny Home – closes Oct. 15 and reopens April 15
Valley View Tiny Home – open year round
Lone Cone – open year round


TENTS
Close Nov. 1 and reopen May 1
STORAGE
In sites 53-62 from Nov. 1-April 15
NORTH BATHHOUSE
Closes Nov. 1 and reopens May 1
SOUTH BATHHOUSE
Closes Nov. 15 and reopens April 15


POOL
Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day


GAME ROOM
Closes Dec. 1 and reopens April 1 (We can open upon request during the winter season.)


LAUNDRY ROOM
Open year round


CAFÉ
Open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, hours may vary. Call for more information, 970-247-4499.


RETAIL/GROCERY/FRONT DESK
Open year round with changing hours; Memorial Day to Labor Day, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; limited hours through the fall, winter and spring seasons. Call for more information, 970-247-4499.


TRASH PICK UP
Ends Sept. 30 and begins again on May 1, pick up times vary

Ready to start booking?