For about a year, my wife and I rented a condominium within about 75 yards of the front gate of this campground. It is one of the most scenic areas to be found.
Couple of quick notes - not sure what the limitations are now, but for some time it was said not to EAT fish caught further downstream, primarily in the areas of the Animas in and just down from the City of Durango. I had always assumed this was based on the seapage from the Superfund site at the base of Smelter Mountain. This would not affect the river around the campground.
Again, from what I learned living in the area, there was for decades a Smelter located at the base of the ridge (Smelter Mountain) immediately on the south end of town. There are photos of large piles of mine tailings (waste) left from the extraction of silver and gold ore from the rocks brought down the narrow gauge railroad from the mines around Silverton. During the 1940's and 50's, it was discovered that the tailings also contained quantities of radioactive materials needed for defense and energy, so they were reprocessed and re-piled. SO for many, many years, water running off of these piles flowed directly into the Animas River. You can see the problem.
Some time in the late 1970's (and later) this site was earmarked for clean up. The tailings piles were moved to the other side of Smelter into a small valley. Gravel was then piled on top of the entire mess and is visible today.
Last factoid - just on the northside of the KOA campground, the river runs under a bridge with two large rock abutments. The famous still photos of Robert Redford and Paul Newman jumping from the cliff fror the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were shot at this location.
ok! thanks for the info. Now, let me switch gears again.......
how about some feedback on Lightner creek??? Looks small, our 5'ver is 32ft. the owners tell us that during our time slot, that most likely, we wondn't need A.C. they only have 30A service. any input on this?.....................
Quote: Last factoid - just on the northside of the KOA campground, the river runs under a bridge with two large rock abutments. The famous still photos of Robert Redford and Paul Newman jumping from the cliff fror the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were shot at this location.
That's cool! Wish we'd known that when we were there - we would have made a point of checking out the spot!
Trying to find info about the former Durango North KOA. Is the place now called Lightner Creek Campground? Did a search and found this thread. I remember the Durango North KOA as being about 10 or 12 miles north of Durango. I did a map search for Lightner Creek CG and it showed the place to be west of town, not north. If Lightner is not the CG then does anyone know what RV park now occupies the former site of the Durango North KOA. We loved the place and would like to go back the summer of 2009. Thanks,
What use to be DuRngo North KOA is nowDurango Riverside
IF you are interested in fishing in a lake, I would go to Vallecito, it is about 18 - 20 miles from Durango and a very nice drive. There are even several Marinas on the lake that would be glad to rent you a boat or sell you bait. There are also several campgrounds on the lake.
Thanks for the info about the Durango Riverside Resort & RV Park. I checked out their Website and it looks like some changes have been made since our last visit 15 years ago. I'll check out other Websites before we make a decision for Summer 2009.
If you want to catch fish, go North to Molas Lake, right before you get into Silverton. This is a beautiful little lake is stocked full of trout. Lots of good spots right on the bank to fish. The wife and I had no problem catching our limits of trout the two days we fished there during last years trip to Silverton.
'01 Ford F350-7.3l PS Diesel, Lariet, Crew Cab, 4x4, Dully,
Air bag suspension, performance chip, 4" exhaust
Bulldog ATV Rack
2-'04 Honda 450S Foremen ATV's
'06 Travel Trailer-31'Forest River Cardinal
Offline
