Four Mile Road Dispersed camping area sits at approximately 8,000 feet elevation in the White River National Forest. The area follows County Road 300, which can require 4WD vehicles after rainfall or during early spring runoff. Temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months, making proper gear essential regardless of season.
What to do
Hiking the network of trails: Four Mile Road provides access to multiple hiking trails that connect to the larger White River National Forest system. "The hiking trails are amazing. The views of the mountain ranges though are a bit limited based upon the location," mentions a visitor to Lost Lake Campground, which offers similar terrain about an hour from Basalt.
Fishing in nearby creeks: Clear water creeks throughout the region offer fishing opportunities for skilled anglers. "The campground is in a small valley with creek access," reports a camper at Avalanche Campground. Another visitor adds, "Awesome valley with access to the creek. There is also a nice trail up the mountain that forks into two other trails."
Stargazing in mountain darkness: The remote location provides excellent night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "We used starlink with no issues. Drove further up the road and found a good spot on the side of the road with a fire pit," notes a camper at Deep Creek Trailhead Camp, describing the open areas ideal for stargazing.
What campers like
Creek access for cooling off: Several sites offer direct water access for filtering water or cooling down. "Our camp site was right next to the water and shaded. Parked right next to our site," shares a visitor to Clear Creek Reservoir, describing the layout similar to many Four Mile dispersed sites.
Well-spaced campsites: "The sites were beautiful and well separated. Would highly recommend," notes a Four Mile Road visitor. This sentiment is echoed at nearby Musician's Camp where a camper reports, "Some sites are in open area and some sites are under the trees. Would stay there again."
Cooler temperatures at elevation: The higher altitude provides relief from summer heat. "We wore 6-7 layers and were warm the whole night. Very quiet, very peaceful," explains a Musician's Camp visitor about their October stay, reflecting similar conditions at Four Mile.
What you should know
Early arrival recommended: Sites fill quickly during peak season. "There are probably less than 10 spots when you go all the way up the long drive, all with great views, most are on the small side," explains a Four Mile Road camper. Similarly, at nearby dispersed areas: "Pretty! But maybe a little crowded considering I was there mid week all the spots seemed to be taken up by late afternoon."
Road conditions vary seasonally: "Would recommend 4wd for the last part of the drive to the sites," warns a Four Mile camper. At Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping, a visitor confirms similar conditions: "Road is a bit rough in a couple of spots, but doable if you take your time, even with a small vehicle."
Limited or no facilities: "This is all primitive camping and heavily used by 4x4 ATVs. There are no facilities ie: Toilets, power, water or fire pits," explains a Four Mile Road camper. Pack all essentials including waste disposal bags.
Tips for camping with families
Look for flat spots away from roads: "You have to go a long way up and down Country Road 117 before you start seeing campsites. They're there. Look for a reasonably flat space and maybe a campfire ring," advises a Four Mile camper, noting the importance of finding level terrain.
Prepare for wildlife encounters: "Had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee," reports a Four Mile visitor. Wildlife is common throughout the area, requiring proper food storage and waste management.
Consider alternatives for younger children: For families with small children needing more amenities, Kebler Corner offers structured options: "They have everything you could think of-ninja lines, playset, zip line, hammocks, jenga, frisbee golf, etc. There were tons of kids that had a huge time."
Tips for RVers
Scout first before bringing large rigs: "The road became pretty rough for my AWD Ford Transit. Eventually I had to call it quits and pick a space," cautions a camper at Four Mile Road, noting terrain challenges. Plan to arrive with daylight remaining to find suitable spots.
Consider the more developed front section: "Four Mile Park is in the White River National Park, accessible by AWD/4WD/RVs with easy off-road access using County Road (CR) 300. It is a big place with many open spaces and turnouts," explains an RV camper who found suitable space.
Watch weather forecasts carefully: Spring and early summer can mean muddy conditions. "When it rains it will be a total mess," warns a camper about similar forest roads at Clear Creek Reservoir, highlighting why weather awareness is essential for RV access to horse-friendly camping near Basalt.
