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Established Camping

Dearhamer Campground

Closed For the Season

This campground is closed for the season from October 2, 2024 through May 12, 2025.

Warning 4 Alerts are In Effect

There are 4 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

ATTENTION BE BEAR AWARE Bears are active in all campgrounds, It is important that you store all food (dry, fresh, frozen, packaged, etc.), all beverages (canned, bottled, fresh, frozen etc.), all pet food and any product that has an odor in a locked food storage locker at the site, locked vehicle (windows and door must be locked), or in your locked camper with all windows, doors and hatches locked when you are not with it. Help us keep you and bears safe.

Quiet Hours: 10pm - 6am. This means no use of generators during this time.

Dogs are required to be on leash at all times in campgrounds. Not complying can result in loss of campsite and possible fines.

Please bring all the water you and guest will need for cooking, drinking, cleaning and etc

Dearhamer Campground, near Meredith, Colorado, is a cozy spot tucked away in the White River National Forest, perfect for those looking to unwind in nature. With about 13 sites, many right by the stream, it’s a great place to kick back, enjoy the scenery, and maybe even catch some fish.

This campground is known for its friendly atmosphere and clean facilities, including vault toilets and drinking water. Campers appreciate the fire rings and picnic tables at each site, making it easy to gather around the fire after a day of exploring. One visitor noted, “Great small campground with about 13 sites... Easy access to the lake and good fishing.”

If you’re into fishing, you’ll find the nearby river and reservoir are popular spots, though water levels can vary. The campground is also a hit for families, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Just keep in mind that some sites can feel a bit close together, so if you’re looking for privacy, aim for the stream-side spots.

For those who want to venture out, the surrounding area offers stunning views and easy access to hiking trails. Just remember, there’s no cell service here, so plan ahead if you’re meeting up with friends. Whether you’re camping with family or friends, Dearhamer Campground is a solid choice for a peaceful getaway in the heart of Colorado’s beautiful wilderness.

Description

National Forest

White River National Forest

Overview

Located approximately 22 miles east of Basalt, Colorado, in the White River National Forest, Dearhamer Campground sits adjacent to the Fryingpan River above Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7,800 feet.

Recreation

Renowned for its fly fishing, Fryingpan River flows below Ruedi Dam. Here, large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout are plentiful in an area nicknamed the "toilet bowl." The fish feed on Mysis shrimp, a small freshwater shrimp stocked in the lake. The stretch of river from the dam down to the confluence of Fryingpan and the Roaring Fork River has been designated as Gold Medal Waters by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. Special regulations in this area include fishing only with artificial flies and lures, and releasing all trout except brown trout, with a limit of 2 fish over 14 inches. For hikers and bikers, the Ruedi Trail, located north of the reservoir, climbs to the top of Red Table Mountain. The trailhead is located 200 feet north of the Jeep trail near the boat ramp and parking lot. This 8-mile trail gains over 3,000 feet in elevation, leading hikers to a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Boating, swimming, and water skiing are all possible in the area.

Natural Features

In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting 8 wilderness areas, 4 defined seasons, and 10 peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation. Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby town of Aspen is a popular destination for visitors to the area. From downhill skiing and world-class fly fishing, to dining and resorts, there are a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunities in this resort mountain town.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

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Location

Dearhamer Campground is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Basalt, travel east on Frying Pan River Road for approximately 20 miles, just past Ruedi Reservoir to Dearhamer Campground.

Coordinates

39.3608833 N
106.7386861 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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25%
38%
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4.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2024

Deer hammer Site #3

Site #3 was a good spot right on the water. Water was stagnant and not worth getting in. Would be good for fishing. Spot was hot during the day but cool at night. Lots of mosquitos.

Site3
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Dearhamer Campground by Hunter L., August 3, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2021

Fishing trip with dad

My dad and I spent a week at deerhammer campground to fish. This is a favorite spot that my dad and son came to over the years. The fishing was good but compared to previous years the river and reservoir were really low. It was unusually hot. We made reservations six months in advance but still had to move to a new site mid week. Our first site -3- was great. It was in the river side with tons of shade and a great view. Our second site-7- was in the middle of the campground and was just a driveway with no shade . There was water available and clean vault toilets. There was no electric and no cell service with t-mobile. We had a great time and I’m sure we will go back again!

Site3 and 7
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dearhamer Campground by Karla Y., June 23, 2021
  • Review photo of Dearhamer Campground by Karla Y., June 23, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 31, 2020

Love this place

This is the perfect quiet little campground for a family. Stay away from camp grounds 4 & 7 is you can. They are the only ones with no tree coverage.

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2020

Great small campground

Great small campground with about 13 sites. Half are stream side, but if you’re in one you’ll hear the steam as you sleep! Easy access to the lake and good fishing. Each site has a fire ring and table.

Host was friendly and kept campground clean.

Reviewed Jun. 22, 2020

Lovely small campground

Visited this campground this past weekend with a group of friends and absolutely loved it! Yes the campground is on the smaller side but the location can’t be beat and the host was awesome. Would highly recommend for groups no bigger than 5-6.

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2018

Stunning views & access to water but pretty crowded

The site itself is beautiful with easy access to the water. The sites are super close together - we were a fairly large group and felt that we were right on top of our neighbors. Other than that, the host was pleasant, it's easy to get to and has water, latrines & firewood for sale. It's on a paved and gravel road - no special vehicles needed. There's no cell service so make sure you have your plans ahead of time if you're meeting up with people!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Dearhamer Campground by Maddie O., June 12, 2018
Reviewed Jul. 25, 2017

Quietest Campground at Reudi Reservoir

This campground is on the far side of the lake from the marina, so it is generally quieter than the other "little" campgrounds near the dam.

The vault toilet was clean inside but stunk up the sites near it. There's an on site campground host and the creek and lake are right there. We visited in July and drove our boat right up next to the campground and anchored for a couple of nights while we camped over the weekend. We stayed at site #7, which was shady and somewhat private. Our friends stayed at #12 - no shade and not at all private. The campsites along the creek looked shady.

There were "party campers" on Friday night that the host had to boot out for disrupting the whole campground.

Reviewed Jun. 2, 2017

A bit too close

The campground has great access to Ruedi, is generally clean, and has potable water. However, the sites are extremely close together! Save the funds and camp in the national forest nearby.

SiteSite 10
Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Dearhamer Campground?

    Camping at Dearhamer Campground can cost between $28.00 and $30.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Dearhamer Campground?

    Dearhamer Campground allows vehicles up to 69 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Dearhamer Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Dearhamer Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Dearhamer Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Dearhamer Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Dearhamer Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is fair.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Dearhamer Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Dearhamer Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Dearhamer Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Dearhamer Campground?

    There are 13 campsites at Dearhamer Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts