Photo thanks to JW Durango Riverside
JW Durango Riverside Resort
Riverfront full-hookup sites on the Animas River north of Durango, the former Durango North KOA, with a pool, café, stocked pond, game room and cabins.
Durango, Colorado · CR 250 in the Animas Valley, about 14 miles north of downtown
Season
Spring–fall
Season dates not published; call ahead
Elevation
About 6,700 ft
Warm days, cool nights
Hookups
30/50 amp
Full hookups; cable at riverfront sites
Big rigs
Up to 45 ft
Per the resort; listings differ
Updated October 7, 2026 · Details checked against the park’s website
On the Animas River
The JW Durango Riverside experience
A riverfront resort on the Animas River in the upper valley north of Durango, the former Durango North / Riverside KOA, with 73 full-hookup sites, a pool, café, stocked pond and cabins.
Full hookupsWater, sewer, 30/50 amp
Riverfront sites17 sites on the Animas
Heated poolMemorial Day–Labor Day
CaféSeasonal snack bar
FishingRiver and stocked pond
Dog parkFenced, plus a pet walk
Wi-FiFree basic; paid upgrades
Cable TVAt riverfront sites
BathhousesTwo on site
LaundryOpen 24 hours
Camp storeGroceries & firewood
Game roomPool tables & playground
Cabins & glamping24 units, many on the river
Life at camp
What guests say
The park report card
We don’t recycle other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together: guests love the riverfront sites, the grounds and the amenities, while price, mixed staff experiences and tight sites come up most.
In the upper Animas Valley
Getting there
The resort sits on County Road 250 on the east side of the Animas River, about 14 miles north of downtown Durango and 15 minutes below Purgatory.
Route from Durango: US-550 north, then CR 250 northFrom Silverton: US-550 south, then CR 250
US-550 · CR 250 NORTH
Set your GPS
13391 County Road 250, Durango, CO 81301
To the train depot*About 20 min
To Purgatory ResortAbout 15 min
To Mesa VerdeAbout 1 hr
From AlbuquerqueAbout 3 hr 55 min
Book a riverfront site early. Only sites 1–17 are on the river, and they go first in summer.
About 6,700 ft elevation. July highs average about 85°, with nights in the low 50s.
*Drive times are approximate (OpenStreetMap routing). Locator map is approximate, not for navigation.
Out the gate
Around JW Durango Riverside
Purgatory Resort is about 15 minutes north, downtown Durango and the train depot are about 20 minutes south, and Haviland Lake is close by.
Photo thanks to Mike McBey (CC BY 2.0)
Durango & Silverton Railroad
The coal-fired steam train leaves the downtown depot and climbs the Animas River canyon toward Silverton; book ahead in summer and fall.
Photo thanks to Frans-Banja Mulder (CC BY 3.0)
Historic downtown Durango
Main Avenue’s historic hotels, shops, breweries and restaurants, with the Animas River Trail running along the water.
Photo: National Park Service (public domain)
Aztec Ruins
Ancestral Pueblo great houses about 900 years old, with a self-guided trail through the West Ruin and a reconstructed great kiva.
Photo thanks to Tobi 87 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mesa Verde National Park
Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings on a high mesa; some, like Cliff Palace, are visited only on ranger-guided tours.
More places to stay
Other parks worth a look
The three closest RV parks and campgrounds we’ve reviewed around Durango, by drive time.
Photo thanks to Westerly RV Park
Westerly RV Park
A small year-round park with full hookups next to Durango Hot Springs, north of town. No restrooms or showers.
Photo: U.S. Forest Service (public domain)
Haviland Lake Campground
Lakeside Forest Service sites north of Durango, with electric hookups, trout fishing and no-wake boating.
Photo thanks to Alpen Rose RV Park
Alpen Rose RV Park
100 grassy full-hookup sites under the red cliffs north of town, with a pool, store, dog park and dog wash.
Before you book
Plan your stay
Everything that decides whether JW Durango Riverside fits your rig, your dates and your budget, in one place.
Our take: a scenic riverfront resort with lots to do for families and anglers, closer to Purgatory than to downtown. It has the lowest Google score on our Durango list, rates are only in the booking system and the resort’s own pages disagree on some policies, so get the terms in writing and ask for a riverfront site.
Reported ratesNo published nightly rates · checked Oct 7, 2026
Nightly (Good Sam listing)From $69 /night
Nightly (Harvest Hosts listing)$68–88 /night
Monthly, 28 ft back-in$1,500 /month
Monthly, 44 ft back-in$1,700 /month
Week-long stays15% off
Military, veterans, Good Sam10% off
Monthly rates run through Oct 31, 2026 and include electric; taxes are extra. Nightly rates include two adults, two children and one pet; extra people and vehicles cost more.
Prices are subject to change at any time and may vary by date, season and availability. For the latest pricing, check the park’s rates page or call (970) 247-4499.
Typical July afternoon
Durango85°
Phoenix107°
Mountain summers: 22° cooler than Phoenix in July, with cool nights.
Is it right for you?
Who it suits, what to consider, and why RVers stay here.
Open
Site types
From about $69 a night, plus monthly sites.
Open
Rates & policies
Check-in, cancellation, pets and pool rules.
Open
Before you book
Questions to ask before you reserve.
Open
JW Durango Riverside Resort is a Junction West resort on the Animas River north of Durango. It was the Durango North / Riverside KOA until a few years ago, and many listings still use that name. It has 73 RV sites, 6 tent sites and 24 cabins and glamping units.
Best for
- Riverfront camping: 17 sites sit right on the Animas.
- Anglers: river access plus a stocked pond.
- Families: pool, café, game room, playground and climbing wall.
- Ski and summer trips to Purgatory, about 15 minutes away.
Consider this
- Downtown Durango is about 20 minutes away.
- The lowest Google score on our Durango list (3.8).
- Nightly rates aren’t published; you’ll see them only in the booking system.
- The resort’s pages disagree on check-out (10:30 or 11) and on cancellation terms.
Summer in Durango
Typical July afternoon
85°
Durango
Durango (NOAA station)
107°
Phoenix
Phoenix Sky Harbor
22 degrees cooler than Phoenix, with nights near 53°. Normal July highs, 1991–2020.
Every RV site has 30/50 amp full hookups, a fire ring and a picnic table. Prices depend on the site type and dates and are shown in the online booking system.
Standard back-in Ask
Shaded gravel back-ins; one vehicle.
Standard pull-thru From $69/night
Easy in and out for longer rigs.
Riverfront back-in Ask
Sites 1–17 on the Animas, with a Wi-Fi upgrade.
Pull-thru super site Ask
With an umbrella table, chairs and a grill.
NightlyFrom about $69In the booking system
Monthly$1,500–$1,700Through Oct 31; electric included
Check-in2 p.m.Cabins 3 p.m.
Check-out10:30 or 11 a.m.The resort’s pages differ
Cancellation$35 feeTerms differ by page; confirm
PetsUp to 21 included; others about $7–$10 a day
Guests2 adults + 2 kidsExtra people cost more
PoolMemorial Day–Labor DayNo lifeguard
FiresFire rings at sitesFirewood sold; follow county bans
Discounts10% military, Good Sam15% off a week with code Weekly
Checked against jwdurango.com on October 7, 2026. Nightly rates are only in the online booking system and change by date; call (970) 247-4499 for the latest rates. The resort’s pages differ on check-out time and cancellation terms, so confirm them when you book.
Good to know before you pull in
Five things that change your booking
Ask these on the phone before you reserve.
- Can I get a riverfront site? Sites 1–17 are on the river.
- Will my rig fit? The resort lists 45 ft as the maximum.
- What’s the cancellation policy for my dates? Get it in writing.
- Are you open when I want to come? Season dates aren’t published.
- Which Wi-Fi is included? Basic Wi-Fi is free; faster plans cost extra.
Know before you go
Frequently asked questions
A few details before you hit the road.
Season: Spring–fall
Ready for a riverside RV trip?
Fall asleep to the river, fish the pond and ride the lifts at Purgatory. Book direct with the resort for current rates and availability.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. The resort photos come from JW Durango Riverside, with our thanks. Video: Our Wheels on the World on YouTube (2019, when the park was a KOA). Area photos via Wikimedia Commons: Mike McBey (Durango & Silverton train; CC BY 2.0), Frans-Banja Mulder (Main Avenue; CC BY 3.0), the National Park Service (Aztec Ruins; public domain) and Tobi 87 (Cliff Palace; CC BY-SA 4.0); the images were resized. Other-park photos: Westerly RV Park, Haviland Lake Campground and Alpen Rose RV Park. Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the parks we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with JW Durango Riverside Resort unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the park’s published materials and publicly available sources. Pricing, availability, rules, policies, regulations, amenities and other details are set by the park and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel or book, please confirm all details directly with JW Durango Riverside Resort at jwdurango.com or (970) 247-4499. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
We will always do our best to keep this page up to date. Thank you to everyone who contributes; we truly appreciate your help and support.