Winter camping is possible at several locations near White River National Forest, with Middlefork RV Resort in Fairplay remaining open year-round for cold weather enthusiasts. The forest spans over 2.3 million acres across nine counties in Colorado, with elevations ranging from 8,000 to over 14,000 feet. Seasonal road closures affect access to many campgrounds between October and May due to heavy snowfall.
What to do
Fishing access: Little Maud Campground sits beside Ruedi Reservoir where both motorized and non-motorized boating is permitted. "The campground is located on the Ruedi Reservoir just a few miles east of Basalt Colorado. It also sits in the White River National Forest on the Fryingpan River at an elevation of 7,800 ft," notes camper Fain H.
Hiking options: Homestake Road Dispersed camping provides access to numerous trails. "We found one trail and spent the day ascending the gorgeous mountain, which I believe was Homestake Peak. The change in landscape ascending the mountain was one of the most beautiful sites I've ever seen," reports Ashley F. These primitive sites require no reservation and have no facilities.
Winter recreation: Sylvan Lake State Park offers year-round access. "Great for fishing, canoeing, paddle boarding, hiking, camping, snowshoeing around the lake, cross country skiing. You can rent cabins there as well as pitch your own tent," explains Nicole D., highlighting the park's multi-season versatility.
What campers like
Privacy options: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites despite being in popular areas. At Homestake Road Dispersed, Nick B. found "a spot about 5 and a half miles down Homestake Road that had a large clearing, great views, and was very private. Couldn't hear anyone nearby, other than the occasional car driving by on the road."
River access: Gateway RV Park provides direct water access with additional recreational opportunities. Aaron notes at this campground, "Located just above a beautiful river, the campground is close to a partially-paved 40+ mi bike path (Aspen <> Glenwood Springs). Although we didn't have time to ride them, Trailforks shows some nice MTB trails nearby as well."
Clean facilities: Little Maud Campground maintains high standards for their amenities. "The bathrooms had maintenance problems and were closed at some point every day. The next campground over also had bathrooms, however they were also often out of order," reports Michelle M., noting that while clean, facilities can experience downtime.
What you should know
Weather variability: At higher elevations, temperatures can drop dramatically even in summer. Fain H. reported at Little Maud: "We camped on May 19th and 20th of 2018 to great weather of highs in the 50's and a low around 30."
Site differences: Each campsite offers varying levels of shade, privacy, and amenities. According to Jeane L. at Little Maud, "All the spots are a little different, a few in the inner campsites have less shade, but most make the use of trees, tall grasses, and positioning of each site and where you'd park your car, for privacy."
Wildlife encounters: Tiger Run RV Resort and surrounding areas require bear awareness. "Keep your toiletries in your car or bear locker too - your toothpaste, sunscreen, all of that, smells like food. The local black bears are shy but they do come around," warns Jeane L.
Tips for camping with families
Look for play spaces: Some campgrounds provide dedicated areas for children. At Middlefork RV Resort, Keri F. notes there's a "Small catch and release trout pond on site" which can keep kids entertained.
Special events: Time your visit with local activities. Todd W. shares, "We were there when Fairplay had it's Living History event in town and really enjoyed that. A great place to camp and great area to enjoy!"
Recreation options: Riverdance RV Resort has features that appeal to families. "Kids loved playing frisbee in the field and swimming in the river," reports Kristen, adding that while the resort was under construction, the natural amenities more than compensated.
Tips from RVers
Seasonal differences: While summer brings crowds at campgrounds near White River National Forest, off-season camping offers solitude. At Sylvan Lake State Park, Morgan Y. notes, "Winter you will be by yourself."
Full service options: Jason F. emphasizes that Tiger Run RV Resort provides extensive amenities: "This is renting a driveway with access to power, water, sewer, internet, and cable. It is EXPENSIVE. It's also the only place near Breckenridge that offers all of these amenities."
Accessibility considerations: Access to RV camping sites varies significantly by location. "The road to get out here can be rough in bad weather but low clearance is fine to get out here. Winter excursions are probably a bit tougher and would require an all wheel drive," advises Hayley K. about Sylvan Lake State Park.
