Dispersed camping areas and designated campgrounds near Heeney, Colorado range from 7,950 to 9,500 feet in elevation, offering varied terrain and temperature conditions throughout the camping season. Water levels at Green Mountain Reservoir fluctuate significantly by season, with highest levels typically occurring in June and July. Access roads to many sites require heightened caution during and after rainfall due to clay-based soils that become slick.
What to do
Hiking from campsites: The Gore Creek Campground connects to multiple trail systems within minutes of your site. "Great trail access, 10 minutes to Vail Village, and 30 minutes to Frisco/Dillon. If you're looking for no frills camping in a gorgeous location, Gore Creek is for you," notes camper Jason F.
Fishing opportunities: Set up at Blue River Campground for direct river access. "Great spot for fly fishing," reports Zack D., who stayed in site 10 right off the river. The campground features bear-proof storage and clean facilities while remaining close enough to town for supply runs.
Stargazing conditions: The lack of light pollution makes evening viewing exceptional at higher elevation sites. At McDonald Flats, camper Raven S. reports "Great drive in, only about 25 minutes to town. Awesome stargazing! Bonus—cows nearby in the morning!" Many campers recommend bringing extra blankets as temperatures drop substantially after sunset.
What campers like
Easy reservoir access: Williams Fork Reservoir provides multiple entry points for watercraft. "An easy drive in from highway 40 in any size rig. This place is great it is FREE plus there are a lot of sites to choose from," writes Laura M. Boaters need to have watercraft inspected prior to launching.
River sounds for sleeping: Many campers value sites positioned along moving water. At Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, Will S. appreciated the "snow capped Mountain View's and gurgling creek were beautiful. Later sites are better so worth heading up the road."
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive camping, many areas maintain well-serviced vault toilets. At Prospector Campground, camper Reagan M. noted "Incredible views, each spot tucked in the trees" with "Great views of lake dillon and each spot is tucked into trees so you don't see neighbors even if you can hear them."
What you should know
Weather extremes: Mountain winds can pick up substantially with little warning. At Ute Pass Dispersed Camping, Katherine M. reports "The river area is very green, but keep in mind that the mountains in front of you have been stripped due to fire. There is some road noise audible at these sites and I'd estimate about 8-10 planes flew overhead a day."
Road conditions: Many roads leading to dispersed sites require careful navigation. Kevin K. cautions about Rock Creek: "Rough, rocky road, some clearance is nice to have. Road might be a little difficult if wet as parts of it are pretty steep."
Site availability patterns: Weekday arrivals have much better success securing preferred spots. A Rock Creek camper observed: "We pulled in around noon and barely snagged one of the last open sites. By 1 p.m., it felt like a game of musical chairs. Drivers looping, turning around, hoping someone packed up."
Tips for camping with families
Ideal swimming locations: Green Mountain Reservoir tends to be warmer than other mountain lakes. Multiple shallow entry points work well for children, though supervision remains essential due to sudden drop-offs and underwater obstacles.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Sites near Williams Fork offer morning wildlife viewing. One visitor mentioned "We dropped off our teardrop next to the water and had an amazing view" and others reported deer and various bird sightings during morning hours.
Best insect protection: Columbine Landing Recreation Site experiences variable insect conditions depending on season. According to Angela M., "Terrain is rocky so tent sites aren't ideal but can be found if you look carefully. The biggest drawback was the dust and wind at night. It was cold but manageable. Days were very warm."
Tips from RVers
Level site locations: For larger rigs, McDonald Flats provides better options. David M. reports "Large campsites adjacent to the reservoir...large sites, picnic tables, little traffic tire noise across the river," making it suitable for trailers requiring more space.
Turning radius challenges: Several campgrounds have tight entry points. Jason F. notes about McDonald Flats: "It's $20 per night payable in a dropbox at the entrance. The site has a picnic table and fire ring and was a short walk to the pit toilets. We were able to park our 29' Class C easily after disconnecting our tow dolly."
Services and hookups: No full hookups exist in the immediate Heeney area. Williams Fork Reservoir does offer a dump station, though Laura M. warns "There is also a dump station that is free as well but there is NO water (not even rinse water) so bring your own."
