Best Tent Camping near Snowmass Village, CO

White River National Forest surrounding Snowmass Village, Colorado offers diverse tent camping opportunities ranging from established campgrounds to backcountry sites. Portal Campground, located about 11 miles southeast of Aspen on Highway 82 toward Independence Pass, provides five tent campsites with picnic tables and fire rings in a scenic mountain setting. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness offers the Crater Lake Campground, accessible via a 2-mile hike from Maroon Lake. This area features 11 designated tent-only sites that require permits and proper bear canisters. Lower Prince Creek Campground, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, provides five primitive tent sites with vault toilets but no potable water.

Most tent campgrounds near Snowmass Village require campers to bring their own water and pack out all trash. Sites typically feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal grading, and many are situated at elevations above 9,000 feet where temperatures can drop into the 30s even during summer nights. Access roads to primitive tent camping areas often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain or early in the season when snowmelt can create challenging conditions. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds like Portal, but backcountry tent sites in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness have no facilities. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, so tent campers should check current regulations before planning to have a campfire.

The high-elevation tent campsites provide exceptional stargazing opportunities and serve as ideal basecamps for hiking. According to reviews, Portal Campground "feels more removed than many typical car camping locations" despite being accessible by vehicle. One camper noted that temperatures at these tent sites can vary dramatically from nearby towns, stating "it could be 80 in Aspen but only 65 at the campground." Walk-in tent sites at Crater Lake offer remarkable wildlife viewing, with visitors reporting sightings of mountain goats and mule deer. The primitive tent camping areas fill quickly during summer weekends, so arriving early or mid-week provides the best chance of securing a spot in these popular locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Snowmass Village, Colorado (56)

    1. Portal Campground

    27 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 925-3445

    "We stayed here for most of our camping trip to Colorado and loved it! It's easily the most beautiful campground we've stayed at. There's only ~5 sites, each with a picnic table and fire ring."

    "This was a stunning campground tucked away high up in the mountains on Independence pass."

    2. Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin

    3 Reviews
    Snowmass Village, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 963-2266

    "Make sure to get the passes over before noon as your likely to get a lightning storm not much after noon. It's has been to date the most rewarding hike me and my daughter's have done."

    "The last campsite had the most people, which was the one by Snowmass Lake."

    3. Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness - Crater Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Snowmass Village, CO
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 945-2521

    $10 / night

    "Its about a 2 mile hike in, but its a great, easy hike and the campsite makes it totally worth it. The views of Maroon bells at crater lake are unbelievable. There is wildlife everywhere."

    "Snowmass lake is on the 4 pass loop trek near Aspen. You have to hike in either covering 3 passes going clockwise from maroon bells or 1 pass going counterclockwise."

    4. East Maroon Portal Picnic Site

    1 Review
    Snowmass Village, CO
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 925-3445

    "Great little spot, saw a couple coyotes but they were just curious and walked by. Loves this location, granted it was the winter so there was no traffic after 5 pm and before 10 am"

    5. Silver Bar

    1 Review
    Aspen, CO
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 963-2266

    $15 / night

    "Small campground with clean vault toilets. Private and easy access to the creek behind site 4. Site 4 was definitely the best. Only annoying thing was paying $10 vehicle fee."

    6. Maroon Creek Campground 4

    1 Review
    Aspen, CO
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 319-2670

    7. Castle Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 319-2670

    "Drive to the end of the road to experience the best of views. Dispersed camping also avaliable for 4x4"

    8. Lower Prince Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Carbondale, CO
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    "This is a BLM site with five primitive camping sites available. However there is a bathroom. I didn't locate any potable water spigots."

    9. Twin Lakes Dispersed Camping - Site 2 West

    14 Reviews
    Granite, CO
    31 miles

    "If you go up 24 toward the South Elbert trailhead, you’ll find lots of dispersed camping options for everything from RVs to tent camping."

    "A few spots allow you to pull off and set up a tent with great views. The site we stayed in was about 50 ft from the trailhead and could accommodate a group!"

    10. Thompson Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Carbondale, CO
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    "We have stayed in the designated spots down by the stream, and also up the steep, dirt road to the dispersed sites past the designated spots."

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Showing results 1-10 of 56 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Snowmass Village, CO

1503 Reviews of 56 Snowmass Village Campgrounds



Guide to Snowmass Village

Tent camping near Snowmass Village, Colorado, offers a blend of stunning natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Explore the Scenic Beauty of the Area

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

  • Fishing enthusiasts will love the opportunities at Portal Campground, located right by a lake, perfect for casting a line.
  • Enjoy hiking and exploring the surrounding trails at Lower Prince Creek Campground, which is surrounded by beautiful scrub oak and offers access to a class 3 trout stream.
  • For those seeking a more rugged experience, the East Maroon Portal Picnic Site is a great spot to start your adventure, with trails leading to the iconic Maroon Bells.

Affordable Tent Camping Options

  • Tent camping at Silver Bar is budget-friendly, with fees around $10 per vehicle, making it an accessible choice for campers.
  • Thompson Creek Campground offers a primitive camping experience with no fees, perfect for those looking to enjoy nature without breaking the bank.
  • At Castle Creek Campground, you can find dispersed camping options that are free, allowing you to immerse yourself in the stunning fall foliage without any cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Snowmass Village, CO?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Snowmass Village, CO is Portal Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 27 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Snowmass Village, CO?

TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Snowmass Village, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.