Sarah W.
Ranger
RangerCottonwood Site
One a few dispersed camping options along this river. Not too hard to find flat camping, also plenty of room for tents. Mostly was car camper here, and it held about 10 cars in total.
Camping near Carbondale, CO
4 campgrounds with availability next weekend
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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.
Best Campgrounds near Carbondale (293)
1. Four Mile Road Dispersed
"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."
2. Ami's Acres Campground
"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."
3. Glenwood Canyon Resort
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
4. Carbondale-Crystal River KOA
"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."
5. Avalanche Campground
"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."
6. Redstone White River National Forest
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $45 - $106 / night
7. Gateway RV Park
"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."
8. Bogan Flats Campground Grp S
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $38 - $190 / night
9. Hideout Cabins and Campground
"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."
10. Basalt Mountain Dispersed
"Got here around 7pm on a Monday night."
"Very remote but easy access, we car camped to be near a trailhead the next morning."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 33 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 2 hrs 48 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 58 min from Boulder, CO
- 3 hrs 35 min from Colorado Springs, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Carbondale, CO
568 Photos of 293 Carbondale Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Carbondale, CO
1499 Reviews of 293 Carbondale Campgrounds
- Sarah W.Ranger
Lake view campground Colorado
This whole area is so nice. Very popular so first come first serve dispersed can be hard on busy weekends. About 15 minutes from town lakes and the small town. In the woods but has a great view of the lake depending on where you camp. Leave no trace!
Fran C.
ScoutAmi's Acres Campground
Not for tent camping
The man who runs the place is super nice, the shower, though small, is clean, as is the bathroom. The view was nice, but the noise from the interstate and the train is a deal breaker.
The website says there is a mountain between the campground and the highway, but it isn't tall enough to block the sound. It is not quiet, despite what the website says.
Hannah R.
GuidePark Reservoir Grand Mesa
One of the best lakes on the Grand Mesa, Park Reservoir is truly top tier. The beautiful blue water, lush meadows and dense forest are impeccable. The only drawback is that it’s a pretty hot spot, so If you are hoping for seclusion, this ain’t it. It seems like a pretty popular spot for the fisherman who were out all day in search of a bite and seemed to be quite successful in their endeavors. The water is FREEZING even at the peak of summer, be warned! Overall great spot.
Rick P.GuideElk Creek Campground
Very nice campground next to a creek/small river. No noise except the river. Bathhouse immaculate. Not cheap but one of my favorite campgrounds so far. Also staff is friendly, polite and helpful.
Juliana J.RangerHarvey Gap BLM Dispersed
Great view rough road
I’ve braved a good amount of roads these past couple months, and this is probably top 5 worst access road. Super rocky and lots of potholes. I just took it slow and was fine in my 4WD rig. Nobody else was around and the view of the lake below was stunning. There was a residence close by, but that was about it for civilization. No amentities and no service. Rock firepit was present but there was a burn ban. I even had a law enforcement officer drive up the road stating he got a call that there was someone with a fire up there. I keep kicking myself for not taking more pictures. Nice safe place to stay
- RRhonda S.
TravelerAmi's Acres Campground
Closing
Nice little stop off on I70 near Glenwood Springs. When we checked in the guy at the desk told us the property has been sold, is being developed as affordable housing.
Landon C.RangerHorse Ranch Park (dispersed)-paonia Rd
Lots of open space where you can set up camp. This spot is mostly for elk hunters, although normal folks are of course welcome. Just don’t set up camp next to one of the horse hitching rails unless you actually have a horse. Note that you can only camp here for 7 days within a 30 day window, which is unlike the normal 14 day limit. This area gets extremely crowded in the summer and fall peeping seasons. I was here in mid October and the crowd was mostly gone.
- JJoe M.Scout
Pinball Point BLM Camp
This is not free. $20 and one restroom.
Guide to Carbondale
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
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?
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?
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?
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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