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Haviland Lake Campground

Haviland Lake and the Hermosa Cliffs in Colorado
Haviland Lake shoreline and Hermosa Cliffs Clear water along the Haviland Lake shoreline Mountain view across Haviland Lake Pine forest reflected in Haviland Lake Campsite with a view through the pines to Haviland Lake Van campsite among pines and aspens Picnic tables at a spacious Haviland Lake campsite Campground vault toilet surrounded by green forest Ponderosa pine and aspen forest at Haviland Lake Mountain road north of Durango near Haviland Lake
Developed Lakeside Pine & Aspen Cool Summer Air Colorado Fishing Electric Sites
Overview

A beautiful high-country lake campground where clear water, green forest, and cool mountain air make the long drive from Phoenix feel completely justified.

Haviland Lake sits about 18 miles north of Durango in the San Juan National Forest. The campground is tucked into ponderosa pine and aspen near the shore, with the Hermosa Cliffs rising across the water. Coming from 115-degree Phoenix, stepping into weather in the 60s felt unreal.

The lake was the real shock: clean, clear, and surrounded by actual green country. I bought a Colorado fishing license and never found the time to cast, but the accessible shoreline, fishing dock, and no-wake water make a return trip easy to justify.

Best for
Escaping Phoenix heat, lakeside camping, fishing, paddling, mountain scenery, and an easy developed setup.
Watch out for
The long drive from Phoenix, high elevation, bear-country food storage, seasonal water, and the required SWA pass or qualifying license for lake access.

Best version of the trip: stay long enough to fish, walk the Forebay Lake Trail, and let the cool air reset your whole nervous system.

At a Glance
Region
San Juan National Forest - north of Durango
Setting
Lakeside pine-and-aspen forest below the Hermosa Cliffs
Access
Paved Highway 550 and about 1 mile on Haviland Lake Road
Best Season
May through September; verify shoulder-season services
Campsites
43 sites; 26 reservable and 17 with electric hookups
Services
Potable water, vault toilets, trash, tables, and fire rings
Lake Access
Shoreline access, accessible fishing dock, hand-launched boats
Elevation
About 8,100-8,700 feet
Coordinates
37.5347° N, 107.8059° W
Nearby
Forebay Lake Trail, Chris Park, Highway 550, and Durango
Getting There

Once you are north of Durango, the final approach is easy and scenic. The campground is directly off the Highway 550 corridor, so the hard part from Phoenix is the mileage, not the last road.

  1. From Durango, travel north on Highway 550 for roughly 18 to 19 miles.
  2. Turn east onto Haviland Lake Road, Forest Road 671, and continue about 1 mile across the dam.
  3. The campground entrance is on the left. Make sure your whole vehicle or trailer fits the assigned spur because there is no overflow parking.

The campground is straightforward to reach, but the drive from Phoenix is long enough that this is better as a real trip than a rushed overnight.

Before You Go
Essential notes
  • Reserve when you can; some first-come, first-served sites are also available.
  • Anyone 16 or older entering the State Wildlife Area needs a valid fishing or hunting license, or an SWA pass.
  • This is bear country. Store food, trash, and scented items securely.
  • Check current fire restrictions, campground dates, and water availability before leaving.
Pack reminders
  • Warm layers and rain shell
  • Fishing rod and valid Colorado license
  • Bear-safe food-storage plan
  • Water shoes, kayak, or paddleboard if the lake is the plan
  • Sun protection and extra water for the elevation
Camping Info
  • Developed campground: Established sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with potable water, trash service, and vault toilets in season.
  • Lake access: Haviland is an 80-acre no-wake lake with an accessible fishing dock and hand-launched boating.
  • Fishing: Rainbow and brown trout are the target species. A valid Colorado fishing license is required.
  • Site mix: Tent and RV sites share the campground; 17 sites offer electric hookups and the maximum listed RV length is 45 feet.
  • Shade: Many sites sit beneath ponderosa pine and aspen, and some have lake views or quick shoreline access.
  • Trails: The Forebay Lake Trail begins nearby and reaches a smaller, quieter fishing lake in just over a mile.
My Notes

As an Arizonan, this was the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. Phoenix was sitting around 115 degrees while Haviland was in the 60s, green, cool, and almost offensively pleasant. The clear water and Hermosa Cliffs made every Arizona lake comparison feel unfair.

  • Best part: the lake itself—clear water, a pristine shoreline, and mountain walls across the way.
  • Weather win: cool air in the 60s while Phoenix was baking at 115 degrees.
  • Camp feel: developed and easy, but still deeply green, shaded, and mountain-quiet.
  • What I missed: I bought the fishing license and never got a real chance to fish. That is unfinished business.
  • Return-trip move: stay longer, bring the rod, and protect one morning for the lake before doing anything else.
Choose It / Skip It
Good fit
You want a full-strength summer escape from Phoenix with a real lake, cool nights, green forest, fishing, and developed-campground convenience.
Bad fit
You only have one night, dislike long highway miles, are sensitive to elevation, or want showers and full-hookup resort amenities. This is a forest campground, not an RV resort.
Gear I Used

Gear that actually helped on this trip.

Map
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