River Fork RV Park and Campground Introduce
Nestled in the breathtaking heart of the San Juan Mountains, **River Fork RV Park and Campground** offers Colorado residents and visitors an unparalleled location for experiencing the rugged beauty and small-town charm of Lake City. This establishment acts as a crucial basecamp for adventurers, particularly those looking to tackle the famous Alpine Loop and other high-country trails. Positioned perfectly in town, the park offers the dual convenience of immediate wilderness access and a short, scenic walk to all of Lake City’s shops, dining, and attractions.
As both an RV park and a traditional campground, River Fork is designed to cater to various travelers. It provides necessary amenities like full hookups, clean facilities, and complimentary Wi-Fi, essential features after a long day of exploring the surrounding national forests and recreation areas. The owners and hosts are noted for their attention to the campground's upkeep, ensuring clean bathrooms and trash-free grounds.
However, potential guests should note that the park is known for its **tight sites**, which is often a trade-off for its desirable in-town location. While many find enough room to set up chairs and enjoy the outdoors, those with RVs longer than 40 feet may find maneuvering challenging, and hookups can occasionally be awkwardly positioned. Furthermore, the park aims to maintain a peaceful environment, which has led to feedback regarding early enforcement of quiet hours. Visitors focused on late-night socializing or operating loud ATVs/OHVs should be aware of the campground's preference for a quieter atmosphere, especially in the evenings, to ensure all guests have a restful experience.
Overall, River Fork RV Park is an excellent choice for those who value **convenience, cleanliness, and direct access** to the area's main attraction—the trails and the river—and who appreciate a more subdued atmosphere after a full day of mountain recreation. It operates during the peak season for mountain exploration, typically from June 1st through September 30th.
The River Fork RV Park and Campground boasts one of the most advantageous locations in Lake City, CO, sitting at an elevation of approximately 8,675 feet and providing access to both the town and the San Juan wilderness.
- **Address:** The campground is found at **112 Henson St, Lake City, CO 81235, USA**, placing it strategically within the town limits.
- **Downtown Proximity:** Guests are only a short, pleasant walk from all of Lake City's core attractions, including shops, restaurants, and local services.
- **River and Park Access:** A significant highlight is the adjacency to the river and a large public park, accessible via a footbridge, providing expansive green space for relaxation and play. The beautiful river walk that runs through town is also easily reached.
- **Alpine Loop Trail Access:** A major feature for off-road enthusiasts is the **direct access to ATV/OHV trails**, making it an ideal staging point for exploring the renowned Alpine Loop without having to trailer vehicles far.
- **Hiker Hub:** The park welcomes hikers on long-distance trails like the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and the Colorado Trail (CT), offering special “Zero Day” services and providing a perfect, easily accessible stop for resupply and rest.
- **Accessibility Features:** The park is designed to be inclusive, offering a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**.
- **Parking:** **On-site parking** is provided for guests, though space can be tight due to the campground’s central location.
River Fork RV Park provides a solid lineup of essential amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for both RVers and tent campers in the high country.
- **Full Hookups:** The park offers numerous full hookup sites for **RV camping**, featuring 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service, water, and sewer connections.
- **General Amenities:** Essential facilities include clean **restrooms** and **refreshing showers**.
- **Laundry:** A convenient, coin-operated **laundry facility** is available on-site, a critical service for extended stays or long-distance hikers.
- **Connectivity:** **Complimentary Wi-Fi** access is provided, allowing guests to stay connected during their mountain getaway.
- **Campground Supplies:** The park offers basic necessities for sale on-site, including **ice** and **firewood**.
- **Payment Methods:** The park accepts various forms of payment for the **camping fee**, including **Credit cards** and **Debit cards**.
- **Pet Policy:** **Dogs are allowed** at the campground, making it a viable option for those traveling with pets. Campers are responsible for adhering to all pet rules.
- **Hiker Specials:** Special rates and services, such as access to a microwave and a 'hiker's box,' are often extended to long-distance hikers.
- **Community Focus:** The campground fosters a strong sense of community, often hosting weekly social activities for guests, such as potlucks and ice cream socials.
The distinctive features of River Fork RV Park revolve around its exceptional location and its role as an Alpine adventure hub.
- **In-Town Riverfront Location:** The primary highlight is the park's location right on the river and its direct walking access to downtown Lake City and a large public park via a scenic footbridge. This allows for effortless daily exploration.
- **Direct ATV/OHV Trail Access:** For adventure travelers, the ability to launch directly onto the Alpine Loop and other regional ATV trails is a key convenience, minimizing travel time and maximizing trail time.
- **Clean and Maintained Facilities:** Guests frequently praise the park for its consistently **clean restrooms and showers**, a highly rated aspect of the overall experience.
- **Community Atmosphere:** With a history of welcoming long-term summer campers, the park offers a unique, friendly, and welcoming atmosphere, featuring weekly community events that help new visitors feel at home.
- **Variety of Accommodation:** In addition to RV sites, the park also offers dedicated **tent camping sites** and can offer **hostel bunks** or cabin rentals, catering to various travel styles and budgets.
- **Stunning San Juan Views:** Situated amidst the colossal San Juan Mountains, the campground offers immediate and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, providing a true Colorado mountain setting.
For current rates, availability, or to discuss the best site for your rig size, please contact River Fork RV Park and Campground using the information below:
- **Address:** 112 Henson St, Lake City, CO 81235, USA
- **Phone:** (970) 944-9519
For the Colorado visitor looking to fully immerse themselves in the high-country recreation scene, River Fork RV Park is worth choosing because it provides the **most functional and convenient launchpad for San Juan adventures**. You are not just getting a place to park; you are securing a base of operations that offers direct, unrivaled access to the **Alpine Loop ATV trails**, an absolute must for many Lake City visitors. Moreover, the proximity to downtown means a short walk is all it takes to resupply, grab a meal, or enjoy a stroll along the river walk.
The park is ideal for travelers who prioritize immediate access to trails and town amenities over spacious, private sites, and for those who appreciate the established, friendly community atmosphere fostered by the hosts. While a strict quiet hour policy may not suit everyone, it ensures a predictable, peaceful environment, which is highly valued by many campers seeking rest after physically demanding days in the mountains. If Lake City’s downtown charm and the vast ATV/OHV trail system are your main focus, River Fork’s location and amenities make it the smartest and most efficient choice.
River Fork RV Park and Campground Details
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- RV camping
Payments
- Camping fee
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Parking
- On-site parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed
River Fork RV Park and Campground Photos










River Fork RV Park and Campground Location
River Fork RV Park and Campground
112 Henson St, Lake City, CO 81235, USA
River Fork RV Park and Campground Reviews
showerstenthikerstownATVlakebookthru-hikingretiredprivacy
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1River Fork is a great camping spot. I read reviews of hookups being misplaced, but we did not have that problem at all. Hosts guided us into our spot and everything went smoothly. The spaces are not huge but there is plenty of room to sit outside of your camper. The location is great. A short walk over a pretty foot bridge and you are at an awesome park that is huge. Our dog loved that. The river runs along the park and there is a beautiful river walk which runs through town. Walking distance to all of Lake City. We had a great experience here.
August 27 · Darby HettingerDo not recommend this campground. Come here if you are retired and go to bed around 7. We were told multiple nights to quiet down at only 8pm. There is no clear quiet time posted anywhere. We were also told our ATV’s were too loud which is strange because the whole town is based around the ATV trails (Alpine Loop). Sites are tight and sewage and water was far from hookups. DO NOT come if you have an RV that is longer than 40ft. The hosts were not nice from the start and honestly had no care for us to be there.
August 01 · Taylor Danelle$20 thru hiker special is the best value I’ve ever got for my money. They gave me a place to pitch my tent, loaner clothes to wear while I washed mine and an excellent shower. Hiker box plus jigsaw puzzles and books if you’re bored.
July 31 · Addison PowellI camped in my tent here during a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail. The amenities were exactly what I needed as a hiker/backpacker and the staff were super friendly and helpful. The price was very reasonable.
July 22 · Ted WeissWe liked the location close to town but were surprised at the lack of foresight in positioning utilities at each site. Electrical and water were on the wrong side and sewer, on the correct side, was way to far away for a hose.
July 18 · Frank Hanou
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