- White River National Forest
The best camping in White River National Forest, CO
93% (68)
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Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.Top-rated campgrounds near White River National Forest
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
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Nancy
November 2025
With kids
We love the yurt! It is a wonderful get-away. Comfortable and clean. Amazing views. Evan and Meg are helpful and communicate clearly.
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Stella
November 2025
With pets
This is a thoughtfully designed and beautiful but very simple little cabin in a gorgeous spot. William was very communicative and helpful by phone and text.
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Diana
October 2025
2 nights at Marble Mountain Yurt
The yurt was beautiful and comfortable. The outhouse was very clean as well.
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Lelon
October 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
The property was easy to find and the host was responsive when I had questions. It is located right along the interstate highway, but the noise wasn’t excessive. I would stay here again.
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Eric
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Myself and a few friends tent camped here and really enjoyed it! Camp site has ample trees for tying up a hammok and spots for tents. Location is really close to town while also being secluded which was nice. Met Dan (Megan's husband) and he showed us our spot and was overall a chill dude. Great spot if you are going to be spending a day or two exploring Leadville.
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Anna
October 2025
With kids
We had a lovely (but challenging, carrying a toddler) hike up and stay at Cabin #2. The cabin was quaint, clean and more well-appointed than expected (I guess we didn't need to pack a hatchet?). It was hovering around freezing when we arrived, but we got the stove lit and got the space up into the 50s for a comfortable night. Sunrise was lovely from bed and we finished our trip with a hike up to the lake in the morning before descending to the car.
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Parker
October 2025
16 ft campervan
We loved camping at Nancy’s property. It was wonderful waking up to the beautiful Colorado river and canyon views. Such a great place to rest and enjoy nature
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Owen
October 2025
30 ft Class C
With kids
This is a small, no-frills family operation. Power at each site with a water spigot available near the main fire pit. No rigs over 30' due to a sharp bend in the driveway. Beautiful, quiet, and convenient to all the best that the White River National Forest has to offer. We'll be back!
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Nicole
October 2025
24 ft campervan
Perfect place to park overnight in Crested Butte! Close proximity to town. Thanks : )
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Joshua
October 2025
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Alex
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Ample space to pitch a large tent. The large lean to with chairs and table was great for dinner on a cool evening. We had to pack up and get moving but this would be a fun place to stay for a couple days in the area. Gerry was kind and helpful.
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Garrett
October 2025
Tent
Group trip
Great spot very high up on the mtn so you get really good views from the campsite. Very secluded from other campsites. Very rocky though so be sure to bring sleeping pads if you decide to tent camp. We had a great time up there.
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Chris
October 2025
Tent
Don was super responsive and helpful! Nice spot that has a beautiful mountain view when you wake up!
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Tori
October 2025
20 ft campervan
We loved staying at Ren’s place! It was super easy to pull in and had convenient hook ups for water and electric. We loved the proximity to town too. It was only a short walk to the main strip of restaurants. Would definitely stay again!
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Steven
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Megan and Dave's place in Leadville was perfect for me and my 3 dogs. Lots of wooded area to walk around in and right next to a 12 mile loop trail. I would definitely stay again.
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Frasier
October 2025
2 nights at Gondola Village at Holy Cross
Relaxing cabin in the mountains! Make sure not to over pack so you can actually enjoy the hike up to the cabin!
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Alfred
October 2025
22 ft campervan
With pets
Fantastic location, easy walk to town and right on the Rec path. We will definitely be back next time we are in Crested Butte
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Jeff
September 2025
16 ft travel trailer
Beautiful property, super friendly and interesting hosts. I hope to spend an extra day or two next year if they’re available/ willing to host me again. Definitely a great spot to relax.
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Bernie
September 2025
19 ft Class B
With pets
Everything was wonderful, would stay there again. Close to walking
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Adam
September 2025
With pets
The camping spot was great! Beautiful views and a well equipped site. William was a good communicator and his directions were spot on. Only downside is the camper may be a little cramped if you're over 6 feet tall.
See moreThe best camping in White River National Forest, CO guide
Overview
About
It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that White River National Forest is the most visited national forest in the United States. Spread out over 2.3 million acres, this wild expanse is home to thousands of miles of trails and eight protected wilderness areas. Popular attractions within the park include the Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark, the oft-photographed Crystal Mill (an old wooden powerhouse dating to 1892), and the Maroon Bells Scenic Area. There are also a number of celebrated ski areas in the state, including the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area and the Vail Ski Resort.
Notable campgrounds
- Best for history buffs: Lost Man Campground provides easy access to the ghost town of Independence, two-miles away.
- Best for weekend campers: Willows Campground has reservable sites, ideal for campers who can’t show up early to nab a first-come, first-served (FCFS) spot.
- Best for RV camping: Deep Lake Campground has 37 FCFS sites that can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Most campsites in White River National Forest are available on a FCFS basis. Arrive in the morning for the best selection.
- Some campgrounds have reservable campsites and all cabins can be pre-booked. Reservations open up at 8am Mountain Time, six months in advance. Cabins and popular sites fill up quickly, so try to book as early as you can.
- Choose harder-to-reach campgrounds for the best chances of scoring a campsite, particularly if you’re camping on a summer weekend.
- Free dispersed camping is available throughout the forest and is a good alternative for those having troubles securing a campsite.
When to go
White River National Forest attracts visitors throughout the year. Summer is the best time to camp here, when the weather is cool and dry, though you’ll have to deal with far more crowds in July and August than you will if you plan your trip for just after Labor Day Weekend. Winter sports are a big draw for many people, though it’s wise to avoid backcountry trips in the snow unless you really know what you’re doing.
Know before you go
- Cell phone service can be spotty in the forest. Make sure to bring a paper map or download offline maps before you set out.
- Check ahead with the forest service for up-to-date details on road closures, particularly if you’re visiting outside of the summer months, when snow can be an issue.
- Fire bans are common in the summer months due to elevated wildfire risks. Check ahead before building a campfire.
- Black bears can put a damper on your camping plans. To mitigate the risk of a visit, store all food, cosmetics, cookware, and garbage in a bear-proof container or in a secure, hard-sided vehicle.
Nearby attractions
Camping near Taylor Park Reservoir promises an idyllic setting with ample fishing and boating. Surrounded by Colorado's majestic peaks, it's a haven for nature lovers seeking lakeside tranquility and outdoor adventure.
93%
68 ratings · 25 reviews
Recommends
· August 2025
Perfect spot on the lake with lots of trees.
21 ft travel trailer · With pets · With kids ·
Peak One Campground
Love this campground. I think we may have caught the camp manager on an off day cause she seemed pretty annoyed but other than that, great stay. Just a heads up most bathrooms were not working (8/27/25).
Dan W.
7 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2025
21 ft RV ·
East Marvine Campground
Private, serene spot to spend an evening and wake up to spectacular views!
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Amanda Y.
3 reviews
Recommends
· July 2025
Tent ·
East Marvine Campground
Nice place!
A
Amanda Y.
3 reviews
Mixed feelings
· June 2025
24 ft Class C · With pets ·
Heaton Bay Campground
This is a bare bones site… no electric or dump stations…i have doubts about showers… but beautiful spot… just outside of breakenridge.
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Chanin W.
3 reviews
August 2020
This campground was closed in fall 2018. To bad. It was an awesome campground. The forest service didn't make enough money on this campground so they took everything out and even blocked the road in. Now you have to walk to the lake.
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Kathy M.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2020
My brother and I visited Bogan Flats in July and it was beautiful. Our spot was secluded, right near the river, and large enough for more than one tent. We loved the sound of the river right next to us at night, the access to water for drinking and cooking (don't forget to filter), and the amazing view. We used this site as our place to acclimate (we drove from Missouri) before doing Maroon Bells Loop. It wasn't far from Marble, where you can start the loop and worked perfectly for us.
Sarah S.
9 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2019
Camp Hale East Fork Group Site is incredible. Nestled next to a creek, you can hear the running water on one side of the camp, while its large enough to hold 100 people easily. Although the site says "20 vehicles" it can absolutely hold double that, and likely more. We called the Rangers Station and they said they do not charge for more vehicles, so I am not sure why the website says "20 vehicles" but take it from me, you can easily have 40 vehicles. Plenty of room to also spreadout, and although the price tag of $210 is hefty per night, it pays for itself if you have enough people. NOTE: THERE IS NO WATER PROVIDED, though you could boil water from the creek. Additionally, 3 vault toilets total (one on one end, and two on the West end).
Matthew W.
6 years on Hipcamp
November 2018
Few campsites, but each have plenty of room. There's a nearby river, which to can gross and take a quarter mile hike to the Grottos, a must see (ice caves). It's first come first serve and all Aspen sites are very popular. This one requires a jaunt down a bumpy direct road. We enjoyed the first campsite near the bathrooms, setting up our site next to the Roaring Fork river (folks did fish), and the kids enjoyed climbing the top of the big rock (beware the cliff edge). All sites are great.
Mark S.
10 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2018
A must when you go to Gore is climbing the Devils back mountain. And looking out of the rock with an “eye” at the very top.
Maggie S.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2018
This is a great campground- it's really large and has an awesome trail that goes around the lake! If you hike out of the trail by the outhouse/camp host in loop C you'll be taken to a beautiful black sand (sort of) beach that is very secluded!
Alex J.
15 reviews
August 2018
The first campground on a three-month long road trip, Prospector holds a special place in my heart. Sentimentality aside, this is a great place to camp when you're in the area. It offers epic views of Dillon Reservoir as well as a path down to the water's edge. There are vault toilets in each loop, and each site is equipped with picnic tables and a fire ring. If you absolutely loathe camping in an exposed area, I might recommend setting up shop elsewhere, because the beetle blight has done considerable damage to the tree cover. However, there are still some spots with more privacy than others, just go for a good drive around the four loops to find them. We preferred loop D for it's proximity to the water!
Emma C.
7 years on Hipcamp
November 2017
Yes many times very peaceful,beautiful landscape great place to work on wilderness survival education I will be there this summer
Cory C.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2017
You can stay overnight in the parking lot at Maroon Bells for free, just leave no trace.
Caitlin F.
44 reviews
Recommends
· November 2017
Amazing sunrise views of Peak One and well kept grounds with private pathways to the beach.
Caitlin F.
44 reviews
Recommends
· August 2017
Great spot to stay while biking the trail around Lake Dillon!
A
Alicia G.
8 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2017
Water not available bring your own. Great walkable trails from the campsite.
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Jennifer G.
8 years on Hipcamp
April 2017
Located at the Half Moon (Tigiwon) Trailhead, this campsite is perfect for hiking Mount of the Holy Cross. The bathrooms are nice and the campsites have a lot of space and distance between them.
Ryan R.
10 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2017
Always packed.. Book far far in advance
Caroline C.
8 years on Hipcamp
February 2017
Heaton Bay made my first Colorado camping experience as good as it gets! Super simple and based on honor code. We had a very relaxing time this summer enjoying what the beautiful mountains had to offer.
Scott D.
9 years on Hipcamp
November 2016
If the campgrounds around the Maroon Bells are full, and they likely are, this is the next closest thing. Sites are larger and more spread out so you'll have a little more privacy.
Jason H.
10 years on Hipcamp
November 2016
Great campground for easy access to Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness trails. There's not a lot of sites and parking is tight but if you can snag a spot it's worth it. The sound of the stream at night is great white noise. Make sure to use the chicken wire provided to protect your car from porcupines.
Jason H.
10 years on Hipcamp
September 2015
Great spot to camp for a night or two. It fills up around the holidays so try to book early if you can. The drive from Denver and around the Fryingpan River is breathtaking. Lots of awesome hikes around the area, too!
Melissa S.
10 years on Hipcamp
August 2015
My wife and I stayed here in early-June, 2015. I'll have to admit, I was skeptical of staying in a campground with 47 sites; I thought it would be crowded and noisy, but was pleasantly surprised by how much privacy we really had. We stayed in Site #6, and while we definitely didn't feel isolated, we didn't feel crowded, either.
The location is perfect for quick trips into Aspen, but gets you far enough out of the city that it feels wilderness-ish. The campground is surrounded by huge aspen and pine trees, and is far enough away from the road that you don't hear much highway noise. Restrooms are clean and well-maintained.
Rain and snow kept us from doing any hiking, but the drive over Independence Pass is beautiful.
Kris L.
10 years on Hipcamp
August 2015
Unfortunately camping around these areas is closed for a bit due to bear activity. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_28589323/camping-banned-at-maroon-bells-site-near-aspen?source=hot-topic-bar
Sarah M.
10 years on Hipcamp
June 2015
This site isn't heavily forested, and the trees that are there are young. That means noise can travel quite easily between neighboring sites and also the need for extra sunblock or shade in the form of an umbrella or awning may be necessary.
Marisa J.
10 years on Hipcamp