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Conejos Peak Ranger District

Quick Facts

Stunner Campground

Elevation:	9,840 Feet (3067.3 Meters)
Length of Stay:	14 Days
Number of Sites:	10
Reservation Remarks:	NOT ON RESERVATION SYSTEM. NO FEE. 10 UNITS OPERATED BY CONCESSIONAIRE.
Reservation Status:	Not Accepted

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Lookout Mountain from Forest Road 380 - 1680-111

Stunner Campground is beside the Alamosa River 2 miles below the top of Stunner Pass. There are 10 campsites with tables, fireplaces, vault type toilet, ample parking and a developed water system operated with a hand pump. Firewood is limited. Convenient trailer spaces available. The Alamosa River is nearby for fishing, unfortunately, naturally acidic water severely limits fishing in the Alamosa River between Stunner Campground and Terrace Reservoir. Big game hunting is possible. Stunner is a ghost town of historic significance. Please pack your trash. Obtain permission before entering any private property in the area.

Stunner, never very big, has long been a ghost town with ghost mines on both sides of the Alamosa. The names of its mines have a special flavor -- the Orpheus, Cornucopia, the Merrimac, Log Cabin, and Snow Storm, and as always, a mine named for a wife, daughter or sweetheart, the Louise. Only those mines north of the river shipped payable ore; those south, shipped no ore. Stunner, like the Platoro camp south across the mountain to the left, had transportation problems. The government road had washed out by 1885 and was not repaired because of the discontinuance of the forts at Fort Garland and at Pagosa Springs, and the construction of a railroad over Cumbres Pass to the south. This meant mail was delivered by pack trains and post riders in the summer and on skis in the winter.

The ink-blue, fringed gentians bloom in the meadow in late August. One of the nation's earlier transcontinental telephone lines passed here, built about 1910. The Telephone Cabins sheltered the heroic maintenance crews which kept the lines operating as the winter storms and snow played havoc. The upper portion of the lines was removed in 1955.

Directions from Monte Vista, Colorado: Travel 12.0 miles south on Colorado Highway 15 to Alamosa River Road 250. Go 33.7 miles west to Forest Road 380. Travel 1.0 mile southwest on 380 to the campground entrance.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Open: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend (NOTE: may close earlier because of snow.) .

Fee Information

Type	Price	Remarks
Camping, Single Unit	Call for Current Fee	Tables, fireplaces, water, and

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Open Updated: 2000-06-08 14:04:00.0

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Filed By: Serene (Irving, TX)
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: A beautiful serene environment that opens up all of your senses. The Alamosa river is nearby and the sound is impressive.
Conditions: Our wall tent was bathed in snow flakes and pellets during Memorial Weekend 2004. Be prepared for extremely cold temperatures when the sun goes down. Wildlife is abundant in Stunner Campground as deer grace you with their presence and chimpmunks scurry across the grasslands. A variety of campsites give you a choice of sunny spots or shaded areas.
Water Availability: Unfortunately, the water hand pump was broken and did not work. Luckily, the general store in Platoro helped us out with fresh water...thank you guys! A few times we let our water containers gurgle some of the river waters below for cleaning our cookware. Bring some wood! A toasty campfire is a must during uncomfortable chilly temperatures and burnt marshmallows are even better! Keep a positive attitude know matter where you are camping! Enjoy the great outdoors... yours sincerely, Serene

Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Beautiful isolatedcampground with a rugged environment. The river was beautiful. Saw beaver, black bears, deer and many chipmonks!
Conditions: Rained everyday for 2-5 hours. Cold, cold at night.
Water Availability: Hand pump water supply. Water was rusty yellow.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	RV Camping	Maximum Vehicle length 25 feet.	Yes
	Tent Camping	Tables and fireplaces	Yes
	Camping	Stunner Campground	Yes
	Cold Water Fishing	Alamosa River	Yes
	Big Game Hunting	In season	Yes
	Viewing Historic Sites	Stunner ghost town	No
	Picnicking	Tables and fireplaces	Yes
	Road Biking	Forest Road 380	No

Nearby Services

Groceries: SKYLINE LODGE, PLATORO, COLORADO (Private - Profit REST ROAD 250 FIVE MILES TO PLATORO.) Directions: TRAVEL NE ON FOREST ROAD 380 ONE MILE TO FOREST

Gas Station: SKYLINE LODGE, PLATORO, COLORADO (Private - Profit REST ROAD 250 FIVE MILES TO PLATORO.) Directions: TRAVEL NE ON FOREST ROAD 380 ONE MILE TO FOREST

Nearest Pay Phone: SKYLINE LODGE, PLATORO, COLORADO (Private - Profit REST ROAD 250 FIVE MILES TO PLATORO.) Directions: TRAVEL NE ON FOREST ROAD 380 ONE MILE TO FOREST

Other Attractions: LOCAL (Private - Profit TO HIGHWAY 15, THEN 12 MILES NORTH TO MONTE VISTA.) Directions: TRAVEL NE ON FOREST ROAD 380 ONE MILE TO FOREST

Nearest Hospital: LOCAL (Private - Profit TO HIGHWAY 15, THEN 12 MILES NORTH TO MONTE VISTA.) Directions: TRAVEL NE ON FOREST ROAD 380 ONE MILE TO FOREST

Related Activities

Big Lake Trail - There is little outstanding scenery along the trail, but it is a pleasant experience, with many wildflowers during the summer. The trail is recommended for the more experienced hiker.

Conejos River Road - FR 250 Scenic Drive - Forest Road 250 is a graded dirt road that follows the Conejos River from Highway 17 to Platoro, crosses Stunner Pass, and then descends to the San Luis Valley along the Alamosa River.

Summitville Documentary Site - Eleven thousand feet above sea level on headwaters of Wightman Fork at base of South Mountain (12,555 altitude) is the historical mining site of Summitville.