Aspen is one of the most well-known and beloved places camping spots in Colorado. It’s surrounded by the White River National Forest, offering a myriad of campgrounds and dispersed camping for all types of car campers.
Because of its popularity, most of the campgrounds near Aspen are busy all summer long. It’s best to reserve far ahead if the campground takes reservations, otherwise show up earlier in the day if it’s first-come, first-serve. It’s often best to head out on Thursday or Friday if you can snag the best non-reservable campsites. We’ve divided them into the most popular destinations, including the towns:
- Aspen
- Basalt
- Snowmass Village
- Woody Creek
Map of campgrounds (blue) and dispersed camping (green) around Pitkin County:
List of campgrounds by Aspen, Snowmass, Woody Creek and Basalt, CO, in order of proximity:
Camping in White River National Forest by Aspen
Most of the campgrounds are managed by the USFS and located within the White River National Forest. It surrounds Aspen, Snowmass Village, and Basalt in all directions. All the following campgrounds are part of this national forest.
Dispersed Camping – There is dispersed camping located within in at certain spots. View the motor vehicle use map below for the location of free, dispersed car camping. It’s represented by the dots on either side of the forest road. Look at the Triangle Peak Overlook just off CO-82 past Woody Creek for an example of dispersed camping.
Map: White River (shown in red) (.png)
Motor Vehicle Use Maps: Large, PDFs from the USFS. They show forest service roads and where dispersed camping is permitted.
- Aspen and Sopris – Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Redstone, Aspen
- Dillon – Keystone, Dillon, Silverthorne, Frisco, Breckenridge
- Eagle and Holy Cross – East – Edwards, Avon, Minturn, Red Cliff
- Eagle and Holy Cross – West – Eagle
- Flat Tops – Meeker
- Rifle – Rifle
Camping by Maroon Bells near Aspen
One of the most photographed selfie spots in all of Colorado is the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. The Maroon Bells mirror off the stunning Maroon Lake. In autumn the colors are mesmerizing. There’s fishing in the lake and plenty of nearby day and overnight hikes. There are three campgrounds to choose from, opt for Silver Bar or Silver Bell’s walk-in tent-only sites if you’re tent camping. They’re located only 15 minutes from downtown Aspen.
Silver Bar Campground
Located just a short drive southwest of Aspen, this campground has its soundtrack in the bubbling waters of Maroon Creek as it flows nearby. Warm summer days and cool evenings often bring brief thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Hiking and horseback riding with access to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area are popular activities.
- Closest town: Aspen (6mi)
- Specs: 4 tent-only sites, open May to October; reservable
- Amenities: Water, vault toilet
- Recreation: Hiking and horseback riding in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, fishing Maroon Creek
- Address: 806 W Hallam St, Aspen, CO 81611 (Map)
Silver Bell Campground
Surrounded by aspen groves in a sub-alpine setting Silver Bell Campground is just a few minutes from Aspen. The surrounding Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area is one of the five original areas established in Colorado back in 1964.
- Closest town: Aspen (6mi)
- Specs: 14 campsites, RV at standard sites, tent-only and walk-in sites, open May to October; reservable
- Amenities: Vault toilet, no potable water
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing in nearby Maroon Creek Visitors Center
- Address: Maroon Creek Rd, Aspen, CO 81611 (Map)
Silver Queen Campground
A short picturesque drive from Aspen, Silver Queen Campground is set in an Aspen grove. The afternoon breezes bring the trees to life, living up to their reputation as “Quaking Aspens.” Within walking distance of Maroon Creek and with a spectacular view of Pyramid peak the local weather can surprise you with snowfall at any time of the year.
- Closest town: Aspen (7mi)
- Specs: 5 campsites can be RV, trailer or tent, vault toilet, water, open May to October; reservable
- Amenities: Water, vault toilet
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing, horseback riding, no horses allowed in the campground
- Address: Maroon Creek Road, Aspen, CO 81611 (Map)
Camping by Independence Pass near Aspen
This stunning seasonal route over the continental divide connects Twin Lakes on the east side, between Buena Vista and Leadville, with Aspen on the west side. CO-82 is Independence Pass, which summits at 12,095 feet. Located along it are several campgrounds with the most isolated being Portal Reservoir by Grizzly Reservoir. There’s a ghost town too on the Aspen side, a free visit with parking by it.
Difficult Campground
This campground is nestled in the forest just a short drive from Aspen. Light breezes augment the scenery with the fragrance of towering pines and blue spruce. The Roaring Fork River, a prime trout fishing area is nearby. Beaver ponds and wildlife are easy to view along the trails surrounding the campground.
- Closest town: Aspen (4mi)
- Specs: 47 RV sites, trailers up to 40’, open May to October; reservable
- Amenities: Water, vault toilet, fishing, 5-day camping limit
- Recreation: Hiking in White River National Forest, Fishing in Roaring Fork River, five-day camping limit
- Address: County Road 82, Aspen, CO (Map)
Weller Campground
This campground located within the White River National Forest allows camping for 5-day stays. It offers access to the nearby Collegiate Peaks Wilderness.
- Closest town: Aspen (7mi)
- Specs: 11 campsites, open May to late September; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Vault toilet, water
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing at Texas Creek
- Address: 31035 CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611 (Map)
Lincoln Gulch Campground
Located in a lodgepole pine forest near the Independence Pass Road this is a popular area for a multitude of recreational activities. The trails are often filled with hikers and mountain bikers on perfect afternoons during the summer. Larger RVs, with a total length of over 35′ are not allowed to use Independence Pass.
- Closest town: Aspen (10mi)
- Specs: 7 individual campsites, potable water, vault toilet, open May to October; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Near Lincoln Creek, this is a very popular campground with heavy use
- Recreation: Hiking, off-road vehicles, fishing, mountain biking
- Address: Lincoln Creek Rd, Almont, CO 81210 (Map)
Lost Man Campground
The old mining town of Independence, now a ghost town, lies 2 miles east of the Lost Man Campground. Situated 10,500 feet above sea level this campsite has trailhead access to the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness just across the road. Laid out in a lodgepole forest the soothing sound of the trees swaying with the wind caresses the evening air.
- Closest town: Aspen (13mi)
- Specs: 10 campsites, water, vault toilet, open June to October; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Camp in midst of lodgepole pine forest
- Recreation: Hiking, 10,500 elevation
- Address: CO-82, Aspen, CO 81611 (Map)
Portal Campground
This one’s more secluded from CO-82. A plethora of outdoor adventure awaits your arrival at the Portal Campground in the White River National Forest. Hike among the pristine wilderness or try your hand at fishing nearby Grizzly Creek and Grizzly Reservoir. It’s a popular summertime destination for mountain biking, dirt bikes hiking and horseback riding.
- Closest town: Aspen (16mi)
- Specs: 5 campsites, high profile 4×4 vehicles recommended, vault toilet, no water, open May to October; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Grizzly Reservoir is near the campground. Great area for day hiking and motorcycle riding.
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, ATV riding, horseback riding
- Address: Lincoln Creek Rd, Buena Vista, CO 81211 (Map)
Camping near Woody Creek
Secluded just far enough off CO-82 that most of the tourists miss this little gem of a mountain village. Woody Creek was the former home of Hunter S. Thompson, you can visit Hunter’s shrine after playing at Snowmass Mountain. It’s located halfway between Aspen and Snowmass Village. Stop by the Woody Creek Tavern for a bite to eat, cold brew, and gaze at all the crazy polaroids on the wall, ceiling, door. Otherwise, the community’s a sleepy respite best utilized for the surrounding White River National Forest, and the aforementioned beer at the tavern.
FREE – Dispersed Camping by Triangle Peak/Forest Service Rd 523
- Closest town: Woody Creek (4mi), Aspen (11mi)
- Address: Co Rd 18A, Woody Creek, CO 81656 (Map)
- Directions: Take CO-82 W from Aspen for 6.8 miles right to Smith Way and then left onto Upper River Road. Take that for 4.4 miles to Little Woody Creek Rd/Co Rd 18A. Follow that to national forest boundary, it turns into FSR 523 where it’s all camping to the left or right at the immediate fork.
FREE – Dispersed Camping by Triangle Peak/Forest Service Rd 534
- Closest town: Woody Creek (4mi), Aspen (13mi)
- Address: 4111 Co Rd 16, Snowmass, CO 81654 (Map)
- Directions: From Aspen take CO-82 10.2 miles, right onto Gerbaz Way just past Woody Creek. Then almost an immediate left (u-turnish) to Lower River Drive/Co Rd 16. Follow that around 2.7 miles to a right turnoff for FSR 534. Follow that back to camping one it hits the national forest. Check out this street view.
Camping by Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt
Located north of Aspen in Basalt, this 1000-acre lake is popular throughout the summer for fishing, boating and camping. Ruedi Reservoir is located north of Aspen, about 18 miles east of Basalt on Frying Pan Rd. There are three campgrounds surrounding the lake. The town of Basalt offers several places to eat and shop, so it makes a great base for exploring Aspen too, located just 25 minutes to the southeast.
Little Maud Campground
From this quiet, mountain, campground you can stream fish on the Fryingpan River, or take your boat out on the Ruedi Reservoir. Brown, rainbow and brook trout are plentiful in both waters. The only Rocky Mountain native trout, the wiley cutthroat can be found in these waters as well. Trout grow to near trophy size feeding on the native Mysis shrimp.
- Closest town: Basalt (16mi), Aspen (33mi)
- Specs: 22 RV Sites, RV maximum length 40’, five campsites with limited spurs, flush toilets, water, open May to October; reservable
- Amenities: Boat ramp on Ruedi Reservoir
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing, boating
- Address: Maud, Millie, Mattie, Basalt, CO 81621 (Map)
Little Mattie Campground
Looking for recreation on both land and water? Little Mattie Campground might be just what you’re looking for. Easy access to Ruedi Reservoir via a boat dock along well maintained roads make it an easy drive.
- Closest town: Basalt (16mi), Aspen (33mi)
- Specs: 18 campsites, vault toilet, water, open May to October; first-come, first-serve
- Amenities: Boat ramp, hard-surfaced roads
- Recreation: Swimming, boating, fishing, sailboarding
- Address: Maud, Millie, Mattie, Basalt, CO 81621 (Map)
Dearhamer Campground
You can spot Big Horn sheep from the campground and hear elk bugle in the evening from the nearby forest. Brown, rainbow, brook and cutthroat trout abound in the river and reservoir adjacent to the campground.
- Closest town: Basalt (22mi), (40mi)
- Specs: 13 standard sites, RV, tent and trailer, RV length to 35’, vault toilet, water, open May to October; reservable
- Amenities: Ruedi Reservoir and Fryingpan River
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing, non-motorized boating
- Address: Fryingpan Rd, Basalt, CO 81621 (Map)
Consider Carbondale
Located thirty miles northwest of Aspen on Highway 82, Carbondale makes a beautiful base for exploring the best of both Garfield and Pitkin counties. It’s easy to access outdoor recreation in Roaring Fork Valley neighbors Aspen and Glenwood Springs, conveniently located between the two cities. There are several campgrounds near Carbondale, Redstone and Marble, each unique and a gateway to adventure.
That’s a roundup of some of the best camping in the Aspen area. Enjoy your trip and remember to leave no trace. Respect these campsites for everyone’s sake.
Camping near Pagosa Springs, Colorado
