Camping in the White River National Forest near Minturn, Colorado offers alpine experiences at elevations ranging from 8,500 to 10,200 feet. Located between Vail and Leadville, this area receives heavy snowfall through late spring, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during days and dropping to 40-50°F at night. Many dispersed sites along forest roads remain accessible only from late June through early September due to snowpack conditions.
What to do
Fishing at Turquoise Lake: Located near Leadville, Baby Doe Campground provides shoreline access for trout fishing. "The lake recently stocked with trout, caught 2 salmon in the runoffs," notes a visitor who stayed at Baby Doe Campground.
Off-roading to ghost towns: Past Gold Park Campground, adventurers can explore old mining sites via 4x4 trails. "There are 4x4 trails which have excellent views and a ghost town called Holy Cross City. It's really just one building, but still interesting," shares a camper who recommends "bringing a map if you go off-roading on the trails because we totally got lost."
Hiking alpine lakes: The Missouri Lakes Trail starts near Gold Park Campground, offering a moderate 7-mile round-trip hike to high mountain lakes. "Gold Park is a great place to stay if you want trails and high alpine lakes at your fingertips. We stayed here so we could hike Fancy Lake and the Missouri Lakes, both of which are less than 5 miles away. Gorgeous high alpine lakes," writes one visitor.
What campers like
Historical context: Camp Hale Memorial Campground sits on the former training grounds of the 10th Mountain Division. "Crazy to think of the 15,000 or so soldiers training here during WWII," remarks one visitor to Camp Hale Memorial.
Access to 14ers: Many sites serve as basecamps for climbing Colorado's famous 14,000-foot peaks. "We camped on June 26th and 27th of 2018 and got to summit Mt. Sherman one of Colorado's 14ers on the 27th. Being able to summit my 1st Colorado 14er was definitely the highlight of the trip," notes a Baby Doe Campground visitor.
Running water sites: Campers appreciate the small creek running through several Gold Park sites. "The host is super nice and is proud of the campground he has been taking care of for 5 years. The sites are spacious and although there are trees between, there is not a lot of privacy. It is a small campground with 12 sites, so that didn't bother us. There is a creek on one side and a small hill on the other for the kids to hike around."
What you should know
Mosquitoes at higher elevations: Despite the altitude, biting insects can be intense in early summer. "I was really surprised at how bad the mosquitos were at the lake and at this elevation, definitely the worst mosquito experience I had while living in Colorado," warns a camper from Baby Doe Campground.
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the area lack reliable connectivity. "There is no cell service with t-mobile," notes a visitor to Dearhamer Campground. Another camper advises: "There's no cell service so make sure you have your plans ahead of time if you're meeting up with people!"
Early closures on mountain roads: Many access roads close from September through late June. "Showed up to camp, road was closed, it's a rough life," reports a disappointed camper about Halfmoon Campground in late May.
Tips for camping with families
Small creek exploration: Gold Park offers shallow water play opportunities. "We loved this site because we were able to hike along the creek and sit on the boulders and watch the fly fisherman and then hike up the hill on the other side of this campsite. Lots to explore to keep the kids busy," shares a family who visited.
Less crowded alternatives to glamping: For families seeking glamping in Minturn, Colorado without advance reservations, Halfmoon Campground offers a quieter alternative. "Halfmoon campground is about 30 minutes from the town of Minturn, up Tigiwon Road, and a great jump off spot to many hikes; Notch Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross, Tuhare and Lake Constantine as well as a few others. All of those spots offer great fishing, hiking and backpacking areas."
Summer temperatures: Peak One Campground visitors note the lack of shade in some areas. "We stayed at peak one for a work camping trip. Reserved multiple sites close to each other. The trees are still very small in some parts of the campground, so there is not much shade."
Tips from RVers
Limited parking in Vail: RVers report significant challenges finding parking in nearby Vail. "There is no parking for RV around town in walking distance (Long Walk included). All parking only for cars," warns a frustrated Vail Area visitor.
Campsite sizes vary significantly: At Halfmoon Campground, "The spots to park are fairly small, one or maybe two cars but this is definitely not an area you want to bring a big RV or trailer."
Elevation considerations: With most campgrounds above 8,500 feet, RVs may struggle with steep access roads and thin air affecting engine performance. "The road up can be a bit beat up, most times any car can make it but be weary if you have a low clearance car. Rain and snow melt always play a part in how well the roads are."
