Swinging Bridge South Campground

Newly added gazebos which offer shade and block the prevailing wind have been erected above nice picnic tables. There are fire pits provided. Still no water available although there has been a water storage tank installed at the campground. The restroom was the vault type and clean. The access from Exit 131 on I-70 was 19 miles of gravel road. The road condition is fine for slower traffic but very dusty as we were there at the end of April. The scenery surrounding the campground is absolutely beautiful with magnificent sandstone formations including spires, ledges, bluffs.

Cell service was limited to receiving an occasional text but no voice.

I was planning to camp at the San Rafael Bridge recreation area (actually called Swinging Bridge North and South Campground) but I decided I didn't want to subject my truck and trailer to a 20 mile dirt road.

I travel with a motorcycle so I knew I would be riding the area anyway so I stayed at the Buckhorn Draw area which is less than 2 miles off I-70 and an awesome place (see Campendium reviews).

I wanted to provide a review for anyone else that may be considering the Swinging Bridge campground (7/23/2018). First, the condition of the road varies from pretty good to pretty rough and that's on a dry day. I was very happy that I decided not to drive it. The campgrounds are in a beautiful setting on the mostly dry San Rafael River. The south campground looks to be for tenters, the sites are small and there's no shade. The north campground is much nicer with larger sites and some shade trees. There's also a really nice equestrian campground accessed through the north campground.

After staying at Buckhorn Draw and checking out the other campgrounds, I would not stay at the other campgrounds. However, if you're a tent camper and you plan to drive Buckhorn Draw Road anyway, it might be worth staying out there.