Chimney Rock (FR 617) in CO -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Colorado

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Chimney Rock (FR 617) in CO

San Juan NF, Pagosa Ranger District
6,631 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedMODERATE
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A 3.4-mile stretch of gravel National Forest road in Archuleta County, CO. The road serves Chimney Rock Parking Lot Site. The road is open seasonally, May 15 to October 15.

San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 60 days.

3.2 of the 3.4 miles in are maintained for passenger cars. 2.5 of the 3.4 miles in are gravel. Stretches run along a shelf with a drop of up to ~160 ft on the downhill side. Winds through 6 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch.

Stollsteimer Creek runs 0.3 mi off. Chimney Rock stands 1,144 ft above the site, 1.3 miles north. Exposed here -- the nearest through road is 0.0 miles off. The nearest town, Pagosa Springs, is 16 mi off.

September normals 44–77°F, 1.9″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Deep Canyon (FR 842) in CODispersed Camping1.0miArchuleta Crk (FR 618) in CODispersed Camping1.4miCemetery (FR 843) in CODispersed Camping1.7miDevil MTN (FR 626) in COForest Road Road2.3miDevil Crk (FR 627) in CODispersed Camping2.5mi
Fire restrictions

Set by San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?