Best Campgrounds near Aspen, CO

Camping around Aspen includes several well-known sites that make good starting points for seeing the famous Maroon Bells. Difficult Campground sits just five miles outside town with basic restrooms and picnic tables that work well for family trips. Prospector Campground connects directly to hiking and biking trails that run through the Rockies. Fishing spots along the Colorado River aren't far for anyone bringing gear. The roads to most camping areas stay in good shape, though winter and spring often bring closures you should check before driving out. Trees between sites create decent privacy and shade at most campgrounds. If you want to see something completely different, the Great Sand Dunes are close enough for a day trip from your camp. Both tent and RV campers will find suitable spots, and some campgrounds have electrical hookups available. Summer brings the biggest crowds with warm days, but nights can still get cold even in July and August. Keep your food secured since moose and other wildlife move through the area regularly. The short distance to town means you can easily grab supplies or a meal in Aspen when you don't feel like cooking at camp. The mix of natural areas and town access makes Aspen camping work for both weekend trips and longer stays.

Best Camping Sites Near Aspen, Colorado (337)

    1. Difficult Campground

    34 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 927-0107

    $33 - $120 / night

    "Campsite nestled amongst aspen trees, moose regularly passed through, but all five minutes from Aspen. Sites are exactly as they look in the pictures providing seclusion with nice fire pits."

    "Great location, only 5-10 from Aspen. Will definitely be back."

    2. Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground

    28 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    9 miles
    Website

    "My girlfriend and I drove in late to the dispersed camping on Lincoln Creek Road off of 82 (Independence Pass) towards Aspen."

    "Lincoln Gulch is close enough to Aspen to travel to town, but far enough away that you feel secluded."

    3. Portal Campground

    27 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 925-3445

    "This was a stunning campground tucked away high up in the mountains on Independence pass."

    "Nestled just outside of Aspen, Portal Campground offers a serene and scenic retreat in the heart of the Rocky Mountains."

    4. White River National Forest Silver Bell Campground

    7 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 963-2266

    $15 / night

    "I think the best campsites here are the walk-in tent sites and specifically sites 9, 10 and 11."

    "This was the first ever campground I went to in Colorado and had a blast! It’s right on the creek and where I stayed was right outside of the entrance."

    5. Little Maud Campground

    12 Reviews
    Meredith, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 226-3564

    $32 / night

    "We came to this campground right after wildfires in 2018 decimated the surrounding area. Despite this tragedy the campground was lush and green, full of adult pine, aspen and spruce trees."

    "The road around the loop is paved but the sites themselves are not. You tent peg into the dirt. It’s a 5, 10-minute walk to the reservoir but you feel a world away from it’s busy day visitors."

    6. Silver Queen Campground

    6 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 963-2266

    $15 / night

    "This campground is super close to the Maroon Bells - Maroon Lake is just up the road. It has all the essential facilities - fire ring, picnic tables, toilets, water."

    "But the camping is so close to Maroon Lake and the hike to Crater Lake. The landscape is gorgeous, especially if you can catch the fall colors."

    7. Weller Campground

    8 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 925-3445

    "I couldn’t get into a campground closer to Aspen as I left, so when this appeared I took it.

    There are 11 sites and only three of us were there, so it didn’t feel crowded at all."

    "We initially wanted to camp up by Maroon Bells, but there were no campsites available, so we turned around and headed back to Weller."

    8. Mollie B_white River

    10 Reviews
    Meredith, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 927-0107

    $32 / night

    "The heart of Colorado beats quietly and steadily at this campground."

    "There's running water, and secure dumpsters around the grounds. Each campsite also has its own secure bear box that was large enough to fit my 50qt cooler."

    9. Chapman Campground And Group Camp - White River NF

    10 Reviews
    Meredith, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 927-0107

    $30 - $260 / night

    "It was right next to the vault toilets (but they were very clean and the smell was unnoticeable)."

    "If you have a long-ish rig or are not good at backing up - stay away from loop C. Loop D along the creek have great shade but are close together.

    Great campground!"

    10. Dearhamer Campground

    8 Reviews
    Meredith, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (801) 226-3564

    $29 / night

    "Stay away from camp grounds 4 & 7 is you can. They are the only ones with no tree coverage."

    "Easy access to the lake and good fishing. Each site has a fire ring and table.

    Host was friendly and kept campground clean."

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Showing results 1-10 of 337 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Aspen, CO

1742 Reviews of 337 Aspen Campgrounds



Guide to Aspen

Camping near Aspen, Colorado, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and a chance to unwind in nature. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a secluded getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: There are numerous trails around the campgrounds. Many campers enjoy the nearby hiking and biking options. One reviewer mentioned, "The fam stayed here for 3 nights and we had a nice experience. It was our home base while we took advantage of nearby hiking, biking, and other activities" at Prospector Campground.

  • Fishing and Water Sports: If you love fishing, the lakes and rivers around the area are perfect. A camper at Rifle Gap State Park Campground said, "Great for family... has a lake to swim/boat in as well as plenty of hiking trails around."

  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One camper at Difficult Campground shared, "Moose regularly passed through, but all five minutes from Aspen."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful scenery. A visitor at Turtle Rock Campground said, "This place is fantastic... absolutely beautiful, well cared for, nice people."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds are well-maintained. A reviewer at Rifle Gap State Park Campground noted, "The staff was incredibly kind and friendly. Views are unreal and bonfires at night at next level."
  • Proximity to Town: Campgrounds like Heaton Bay Campground are conveniently located near towns. One camper mentioned, "You are right between two towns Frisco and Silverthorne."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Difficult Campground, have minimal amenities. A camper pointed out, "No amenities, no laundry, no showers, no electricity."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be cautious of wildlife. A visitor at Elk Creek Campground shared, "We saw moose in the afternoon into evening... we even had a bear visit our tent."
  • Road Conditions: Some campgrounds may have rough access roads. A camper at Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground mentioned, "The road is a little rocky, but I didn’t have any trouble in my Promaster without 4WD."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with activities for kids. A reviewer at Bogan Flats Campground Grp S said, "Kids loved it. Dad loved the fishing access."
  • Pack Extra Supplies: Bring along essentials like bug spray. One camper warned, "This is a very busy campground, with people & mosquitoes!" at Bogan Flats Campground Grp S.
  • Plan for Privacy: Some sites can be close together. A visitor noted, "The sites were a bit close together, about half were exposed, no tree coverage" at Bogan Flats Campground Grp S.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for Electric Hookups: If you need power, make sure to choose campgrounds that offer electric sites. A camper at Elk Creek Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms are clean and sanitary. No showers."
  • Be Prepared for Wind: Some campgrounds can get windy. A reviewer at Elk Creek Campground said, "The wind is pretty bad... it gets windy every day from 12pm to 6pm."
  • Use Bear Boxes: Always store food properly. A camper at Difficult Campground advised, "Make sure you lock everything and use the bear boxes provided at each site!"

Camping near Aspen, Colorado, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors while being close to town. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your next adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Aspen, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, Aspen, CO offers a wide range of camping options, with 337 campgrounds and RV parks near Aspen, CO and 112 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Aspen, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Aspen, CO is Difficult Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Aspen, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 112 free dispersed camping spots near Aspen, CO.

What parks are near Aspen, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Aspen, CO that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.