Dispersed across a mix of forested and open terrain along Ruedi Reservoir, Little Mattie sits among four campgrounds in the area and consistently draws anglers targeting the Frying Pan River. No cell service is available here. The nearest signal is roughly 30 minutes away in Basalt, so come prepared. Sites vary considerably: some face the reservoir and others sit well back from the water, and Little Maud Campground and Mollie B White River are both within a short walk to the west if the sites here are full.
The campground runs on the larger side, which contributes to the spacing between sites, though the tradeoff is a dusty feel in dry conditions. Shade is limited at many sites, so afternoon sun can be a factor when choosing a spot. Reviewers consistently point to sites 1, 2, 12, 15, 16, 17, and 19 as the better picks. A camp host stays on-site, sells firewood, and keeps the grounds and bathrooms clean.
Reservations are available through Recreation.gov and are worth booking in advance, particularly for summer weekends. RVs up to 30 feet are accommodated, and pets are welcome. Mitch K. describes it as "a nice, clean, more private campground," a fair summary given how the layout compares to the busier day-use activity around the reservoir. Anglers and campers who want separation from the crowd at Ruedi will find this a workable base.
Description
Overview
Located approximately 14 miles eat of Basalt, CO, in the White River National Forest, Little Mattie Campground is situated on the Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7800 feet. Sites are open to the starry nighttime skies and access to the lake and trails. It sits amid a mixed conifer forest and offers an ideal setting for guest seeking recreation and relaxation. Little Mattie has 19 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs. There is a maximum length of 30 feet for RVs & trailers. The sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings and bear boxes (food storage lockers). Guests also have access to vault toilets and drinking water, but electrical hook-ups are not available.
Recreation
Renown for its fly fishing, Frying pan 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 rive from below the dam down to the confluence of Frying Pan 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 two fish over 14 inches. For hikers and bikers, the Ruedi Trail, located north of the reservoir, climbs to the top of Red Mountain. The trailhead is located 200 feet north of the Jeep trail near the boat ramp and parking lot. This eight 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. Interpretive programs are popular activities.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.
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.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
The White River National Forest enters Stage 2 fire restrictions June 26, 2026. This means no campfires or charcoal anywhere on the forest, including developed campgrounds and recreation sites. Gas-powered stoves are allowed. More details via this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts/white-river-nf-enters-stage-2-fire-restrictions
Due to current drought conditions, we request that RV/Camper owners fill their tanks before arriving at the campgrounds to best preserve the water systems. RVs should not use campground water spigots for filling. Filling small jugs is acceptable. Thank you for helping us preserve the water resources for all the campers.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLittle Mattie Campground is located in Colorado near Meredith
Directions
Take I-70 west of Denver to Glenwood Springs Exit 116, Highway 82 to Basalt. At Basalt, take Frying Pan Road 15 miles to the Ruedi Complex Entrance.
Coordinates
39.376749 N
106.807471 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/20/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 7/20/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 16 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 31 min from Denver, CO
- 3 hrs 41 min from Boulder, CO
- 4 hrs 18 min from Colorado Springs, CO


















