A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Cathedral

Forest Service campground in Rio Grande National Forest, Rio Grande County, Colorado. In the Del Norte area.

Managed by
Forest Service Rio Grande National Forest
Sites
22 22 standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov

Overview

Cathedral Campground is northwest of Del Norte and northeast of South Fork on Embargo Creek. The campground has 22 sites, all first come, first served. 17 are dead end spurs and 5 are pull through sites. The sites vary from 35 to 45 feet in length. This campground is located in a mature aspen and spruce grove with a beautiful view of Cathedral Rock to the north. Embargo Creek flows alongside the east side of the grounds. The campground is composed of two large loops along Cathedral Creek. The left-hand loop features a large meadow and a few open sites. The right-hand loop has a dense Aspen and spruce (including Blue) forest and a more rustic feel.

John Charles Fremont's winter camp is nearby. He attempted an ill-fated expedition across the Rocky Mountains for a transcontinental railroad route in late 1848.

All sites are first come, first served and cannot be reserved.

No trash service or receptacles. Please pack out all garbage.

There is ample fishing in Embargo Creek and hiking/horseback riding/mountain biking on Cathedral Creek Trail #794, Embargo Trail #792 and Fremont's Camp Trail #885. Motorcycles may use both Cathedral and Embargo Trails. ATVs are not allowed on the trails.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • mountain biking
  • picnicking

The federal record has no coordinates for this campground, so it is listed under Del Norte and left off the map rather than placed by guesswork. Use the directions above.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated September 2, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.