About HOUSE CREEK
Overview House Creek Campground is located on the shores of McPhee Reservoir near the town of Dolores in southwestern Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its boating, water skiing and fishing opportunities.Recreation McPhee Reservoir, the largest within the San Juan National Forest and second largest in Colorado, has 50 miles of shoreline. Boating, water skiing, swimming and fishing are popular activities. A boat ramp is located within the campground.Facilities The campground offers group and single-family sites, some of which have electric hookups. Several sites have shelters for shade. Picnic tables, campfire rings and grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.Natural Features The campground is situated in a gently sloping meadow near the reservoir's high-water line. The is no shade and the area is hot during summer. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420. Nearby Attractions Southwestern Colorado, part of the Four Corners region, contains more than 4,000 archaeological sites and more than 600 cliff dwellings. Many sites offer glimpses of the ancient Anasazi culture, for which this area is known. Anasazi Heritage Center is 30 minutes northwest of Dolores. Mesa Verde National Park is an hour and a half drive south of the campground. Canyon of the Ancients is an hour and a half hours southwest. Hovenweep National Monument is an hour and 45 minutes west.Charges & Cancellations Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel
How to Get There
From Colorado Highway 145, turn at 11th Street, continue on Country Road 31, which becomes Forest Road 526 at the Forest Boundary. Continue 6 miles and turn left at Forest Road 528. The road dead-ends at the complex.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
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Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
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Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
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Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
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High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to HOUSE CREEK
Heading to HOUSE CREEK? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for HOUSE CREEK?
No central reservation system listed for HOUSE CREEK. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232145) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to HOUSE CREEK?
From Colorado Highway 145, turn at 11th Street, continue on Country Road 31, which becomes Forest Road 526 at the Forest Boundary. Continue 6 miles and turn left at Forest Road 528. The road dead-ends at the complex.
How do I contact HOUSE CREEK?
You can reach the park at email: rlynd@goexplorus.com.
References & Official Resources
