288 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Full-service campgrounds are relatively limited around Carbondale, but the surrounding national forest land more than compensates for anyone comfortable with dispersed setups. The town sits at the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers, with forest roads heading east toward Redstone and the Crystal River corridor. No-reservation sites outside Carbondale cover the primitive national forest options on roads that range from paved to rough two-track, depending on how far you're willing to go.
Glenwood Springs is 12 miles northwest with more developed campground infrastructure and a larger selection of RV parks. Other available for camping near Glenwood Springs covers both the developed sites along the river and the national forest options on the canyon rims above town. Road conditions on upper Crystal River roads improve significantly after mid-June when snowmelt clears the higher passes. Aspen is 28 miles southeast, which puts Carbondale in range as a lower-cost base for Maroon Bells day trips if the Aspen-side campgrounds are full.
"My first winter camping trip in Colorado."
"To start, we camped with a teardrop trailer, but once you pass the White River National Forest sign and parking lot for the babbish trail head, it’s not easy to turn around unless you find a campsite."
"Perfect river access for paddlers which can take you downtown glenwood or jump on the bike path to go get your car from Grissly rest stop. "
"Loved the location. Right on the Colorado River. Bike path is right out the front. We rode it from Aspen down valley and right back to our campsite. A feature we really liked. The sites were tight."
"It's super close to the hot springs, downtown area and gondola for the adventure park shopping etc."
"Being next to the interstate didn’t end up being a problem, still very quiet. Very close to glenwood springs, which is a definite must do if you’re looking for some relaxation and views."
"We enjoyed the paved bike bath all the way into Carbondale. Carbondale is a nice town with some good restaurants.
We also enjoyed playing pickleball in Carbondale with the friendly local club. "
"This is a nice little campground outside of Carbondale. We stayed here while visiting Glenwood springs, which is only about 25 minute drive away."
"For those without AWD/4WD vehicles I would use caution/advise against since the drive to get into the actual grounds requires a bit of off roading including crossing a creek."
"Awesome valley with access to the creek. There is also a nice trail up the mountain that forks into two other trails."
"Location is great! A mile walk into the quaint town of Redstone, 20min drive to Carbondale or Marble (opposite direction)."
"Short walk to downtown Redstone, and a short drive yo Marble or Carbondale, this campground has a great location. No cell signal! Staff was great and keep the facilites very clean."
from $38 - $91 / night
Check Availability"My husband, 10 year old son and I just finished 6 nights of rent camping at Bogan Flats campground near Marble, CO. Our site was right on the Crystal River, and it was both huge and private."
"The sites next to the river are the best. The sites closer to the entrance and on the river offer the best shade."
from $32 - $166 / night
Check Availability"We were looking for a place to camp near Glenwood Springs, but far enough off 70 to avoid the freeway noise."
"Wanted to be close to the downtown area. I met Erin, the manager, outside the Hideout's office and asked if she had space."
"Got here around 7pm on a Monday night."
"Very remote but easy access, we car camped to be near a trailhead the next morning."
"This quaint little campground is just below the highway. While there is quite a bit of highway noise when outside, it didn’t bother us when we were inside our trailer."
"FHU, friendly hosts, right on the bike path and next to the Roaring Fork River. It is not a destination campground, it is a the best place to park and explore the best of Colorado."
ScoutWe stayed here on a weekend trip we took to Glenwood springs. It’s right off of i70 so very convenient for us, the road is not busy at night so no big deal for us, the sky was plenty dark and you could see so many starts
TravelerAn outstanding campground on the Eastern flank of Colorado's Flat Top Wilderness. Forty three sites, 6 or 7 pull-thru's, a handful of very nice walk-in/tent sites. The campground is named for Bear Lake, although the lake itself isn't visible from the campground, only a short walk away. Our stay, the week after Labor Day, was very nice- no mosquitoes (lots of small bees though), the sites are generally well separated from each other, mostly with pine forest. The campground was about a quarter full when we got there(Tues), and a few other campers came in while we were there. Popular at this time of year with bow hunters. we saw many out of state plates. The road to it from the small ranching town of Yampa is half county and half Forest Service- the county road, which winds 6 or 7 miles past several ranches, is paved. The Forest Service road picks up at the end of the County Road and was heavily wash-boarded on our trip, about 7 miles of it. We did see a couple of passenger cars in the campground, so it's doable without a truck or SUV, and one camper we spoke to visits semi-regularly says in June the Forest Service road was smooth.
There is sheep ranching in the area, a herd of several hundred head ambled just north of the campground and we heard them(and their canine minder) most of our first night. It wasn't a bother- it drowned out the sound of the large group near our site and their generators. Great campground, recommended- good privacy, great views, mostly level campsites, hiking and fishing nearby- as along as you don't mind moderate to heavy wash-board driving and being a little extra careful getting around the Yamcolo Reservoir, which require a moderate up and down grade drive on a bumpy road.
Ranger65 bucks for full hookups. Showers are available and food.
RangerLooks to be a nice place! There’s a couple spots on the road to the kiosk area that might be a bit daunting unless you have a rig that can handle it AND depending on the weather that year…. This was a VERY dry winter, summer, and lining up to be a dry fall! Even with this dry weather the road had some full on mud puddles and some areas that were just getting to a damp state. If you go past the kiosk area, you’ll find few more areas to camp but enter at your own risk as the road doesn’t get any better. In fact it gets rougher…. I only spotted three spots that were used before and they looked really nice. One reviewer mention water at the kiosk but I didn’t see it so they’ve either removed it or I’m blind…. It looks to be just a few miles from Meeker and it ended up being 20 miles from Rifle, where I was visiting family….
RangerBeautiful KOA. Staff is friendly and facilities are clean. Campground was full but didn't feel crowded. Huge dog park and hiking trail along river.
RangerDidn’t stay here but did investigate today. Attaching photos but this looks like a long-term camp park. The campers all have skirting/insulation around them and really didn’t see any spots that were open anyway. It might be ok for an overnight if you were fully self contained, could find an open spot, and just needed some sleep…
RangerIt’s a really nice spot if you can get through the water crossing. I tried, in 2 wheel drive on my 1/2 ton 4 wheel drive(not lifted) and had to throw it in 4 wheel to get out. Like a previous member said, it’s soft on the bottom and you sink in, not to mention my truck hitch drug on the bank…. Once across there’s a few spots but there are more ditches that my hitch drug on as well. This is a dry year too so not sure I could have made it across if it were a wet one. All this said, there is a gravel parking lot area that had a couple of campers in. I’d say you’d probably be encroaching on the others if I tried to camp there too…
RangerBeautiful sunsets. Quiet evenings. Spacious sites and clean facilities.
TravelerStayed up here is our van. Roads weren’t too bad. Lots a spots with beautiful yellow aspen trees and some lovely views of mount elbert. Short drive to twin lakes and short walk to mount elbert forebay.
Dispersed camping areas surround Carbondale throughout the White River National Forest. The town sits at 6,181 feet elevation where the Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers meet, creating both riverside camping options and mountain forest sites. Most dispersed sites open in late May when snow melts and close after the first significant snowfall in October.
Bike paved trails: From Gateway RV Park, access the 40+ mile partially-paved bike path between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. "Located just above a beautiful river, the campground is close to a partially-paved 40+ mi bike path (Aspen <> Glenwood Springs)," notes Aaron.
Explore ghost towns: Visit the marble quarry near Redstone Campground. "Marble is about 30min and they have the best BBQ place - Slow Groovin. Check it out. There are also great challenging hikes. Next time may rent an ATV," shares Rebeca H.
Relax in hot springs: Penny Hot Springs is located just minutes from Avalanche Campground. "Right next to penny hot springs, which originally brought me out. Check em out if you stay. Drive south maybe 5 mins and there's side street parking to your left you can't miss it. Popular spot so you'll see other cars," advises Dani B.
Riverside sites: Bogan Flats Campground offers premium spots along Crystal River. "Site 34 ended up being perfect for us because it was right next to a little forest and the kids ran around in there a lot, which they loved," says Ashley R.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the well-spaced sites at Four Mile Road dispersed area. "The scenery is beautiful with lot of wild flowers and tall, towering trees. It rained before we got there and there was some moisture on the tent the morning after," explains Jeni N.
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. "The vault toilets were probably the cleanest I've ever used at a campground. Towns of Carbondale, redstone, and marble are fun to explore (get the pizza in redstone)," notes Laura S. about Redstone White River National Forest.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout camping spots near Carbondale. "No cell reception anywhere until you get to Carbondale. We drove into Redstone to get some WiFi bear the Inn," shares Rebeca H.
Weather fluctuations: Mountain weather changes rapidly even in summer. "It did get coooold during early June, bring a good sleeping bag and warm clothes!!" warns Amy S. about camping at Bogan Flats.
Road conditions: Many dispersed sites require careful driving. "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. It's wild camping," explains VanRumschpringa V.
Water activities: The Crystal River provides excellent spots for kids. "We also loved biking into Redstone, which is, perhaps, the cutest town I've ever seen: quaint general store, antique shops, a museum, a great pizza place, and a park," shares Kendra A.
Animal encounters: Prepare kids for wildlife sightings. "Heavy wildlife area, had a fox come right up to my car as I was making coffee. Only 30 minutes from Glenwood Springs," reports Matthew V.
Playground options: Carbondale-Crystal River KOA maintains family-friendly amenities. "This campground has an old fashioned feel. They have cabins that look very retro, Actually only 20 RV sites, some of them on the Crystal River. A large group of tent sites & a teepee," explains Cynthia K.
Limited hookup sites: Reserve early for sites with amenities. "The sites are laid out in typical RV park style, lined up like dominoes. This is not our typical preferred camping, but we were with friends, so we were able to create a little oasis between our sites," explains Lee D.
Tight spaces: Larger rigs require careful positioning at some campgrounds. "We have a 42' fifth wheel, and while we got it backed in perfectly, we didn't have any room for our truck. Thankfully no one was next to us, so we could get creative with parking it," cautions Melody C. about Glenwood Canyon Resort.
Elevation considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds may tax RV systems. "Sites were close together. Atleast half were permanent residents and some were not the cleanest. Staff seemed a little rude at times," notes Kevin S. about private campground options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find campgrounds near Carbondale, Colorado?
Carbondale offers several excellent camping options within easy driving distance. The Carbondale-Crystal River KOA is located right outside town, offering riverside sites with concrete pads and full hookups. Just 20 minutes from Carbondale, Redstone White River National Forest provides scenic sites with easy access to the quaint town of Redstone. Other nearby options include Bogan Flats near Marble, McClure Campground about 10 miles past Marble, and Avalanche Campground. For those willing to drive a bit further, Oh Be Joyful near Crested Butte and Cold Springs Campground offer beautiful mountain settings. Most campgrounds in the area require reservations during peak season, with prices ranging from $20-45 per night depending on amenities.
What are the best free dispersed camping options around Carbondale?
The Carbondale area offers several excellent free dispersed camping options. Four Mile Road Dispersed is located near Sunlight Mountain Resort, just south of Glenwood Springs and west of Carbondale. This area in White River National Forest provides beautiful sites that are popular for winter camping access. Twin Peaks Dispersed Campground is another fantastic option, offering stunning views, great hiking trails, and beach access to nearby water. Basalt Mountain Dispersed area also provides free camping with some sites that can accommodate larger vehicles. When dispersed camping, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 100 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings, and pack out all trash. Most dispersed sites lack facilities, so come prepared with water and waste disposal plans.
When is the best season for camping in the Carbondale area?
The prime camping season around Carbondale runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the most reliable weather. Bogan Flats Campground near Marble provides a perfect summer getaway with sites along the Crystal River that are particularly enjoyable during warmer months. Early fall brings spectacular aspen colors, making September a magical time at campgrounds like Oh Be Joyful, where visitors in early October have reported amazing views and pleasant conditions. Spring camping can be beautiful but prepare for variable weather and potential snowmelt runoff. Winter camping is possible at some dispersed sites, especially near Sunlight Mountain Resort, though many established campgrounds close for the season. Higher elevation campgrounds typically have shorter seasons, while those closer to Carbondale proper may open earlier and close later.
What amenities are available at Carbondale campgrounds?
Amenities vary widely across Carbondale area campgrounds. Gateway RV Park offers full hookups, double-wide sites with picnic tables and fire rings, plus well-maintained facilities. It's conveniently located though you may hear some highway noise. McClure Campground provides a more rustic experience with basic amenities but in a particularly scenic setting. KOA campgrounds typically feature the most comprehensive facilities, including clean bathhouses, camp stores, and riverside concrete pads with patio furniture. Public campgrounds like Redstone offer varying levels of amenities, with some providing water access, toilets, and fire rings. Most established campgrounds have vault toilets at minimum, while dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities whatsoever. Cell service can be limited at many campgrounds in the area, particularly those in canyons or surrounded by mountains, so plan accordingly for connectivity needs.
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