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Best Tent Camping near White River National Forest

1,781 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Dispersed tent camping options dot the landscape throughout White River National Forest in Colorado, with numerous primitive sites available along forest roads and near trailheads. Halfmoon Campground provides established tent sites near Minturn, while areas like Homestake Reservoir Road offer multiple dispersed camping spots along a scenic route. The East Cross Creek camping area serves as a halfway point for hikers attempting Mount Holy Cross, providing ten backcountry tent sites that split the challenging ascent.

Most tent camping areas feature basic fire rings but lack amenities like potable water, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. Access varies significantly by location and season, with roads like Bellyache Road described as "very rutted out" and requiring vehicles with "decent 8-inch clearance and all-terrain tires," particularly after rainfall. Many dispersed sites are accessible within 300 feet of forest road centerlines, though higher elevation campsites may remain inaccessible until late June due to snowpack. Vault toilets are present at established campgrounds like Halfmoon but absent at primitive sites.

Tent campers typically enjoy significant spacing between sites, especially at established areas like Halfmoon Campground. A camper noted that "sites are fairly spaced out and can fit a few tents in each," providing privacy even when sharing a designated spot. Pine and spruce forests provide natural tent platforms and hammock-hanging opportunities at many locations. The camping area's proximity to popular hiking destinations makes it ideal for backcountry adventures, though mosquitoes can be problematic near water sources during summer months. The East Cross Creek sites, while requiring a hike in, offer an excellent base for summit attempts, while lower-elevation dispersed sites along forest roads provide easier vehicle access but may experience more traffic noise, especially near popular trailheads.

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Best Tent Sites Near White River National Forest (62)

    1. Halfmoon Campground

    8 Reviews
    Red Cliff, CO
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 945-2521

    "Halfmoon Campground is located at the end of Notch Mountain Rd (forest Rd 707) near Minturn, CO in White River National Forest."

    "during the week very few camper, campfires allowed. water. no electricity. it was wonderful. no rain, great stars"

    2. Homestake Reservoir Rd Milemarker 3 - Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Red Cliff, CO
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 945-2521

    "It has space for one tent for sure, and several more tents if you aren't picky about smooth and level ground under you. You could definitely fit an RV or trailer in the space as well."

    "Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around. Road is in good shape."

    3. Bellyache Road

    6 Reviews
    Eagle, CO
    13 miles

    "Got in late and found a spot on a busy holiday weekend, it was forested with a good rock fire ring but some trash left over. Felt secluded enough but had hiking trails around. Saw a few other cars."

    "Camp sites here are not well defined (look for fire rings). The trail is heavily rutted, and if it just rained gets incredibly muddy."

    4. Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District (Vail-Eagle area)

    5 Reviews
    Avon, CO
    13 miles

    "**Campground Review: ** As an adventurer in Colorado, I often find myself driving down I-70 and over the Vail Pass."

    "Great area, be prepared for weather and elevation gain."

    5. Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed

    12 Reviews
    Vail, CO
    20 miles
    Website

    "You can drive or walk down a mile which leads to a trail to Lost Lake, which you can swim in. It was definitely buggy, got my fair share of mosquito bites, so I recommend bug spray."

    "The campsites are decently spaced out but not the place to go if you don’t want neighbors, I chose the only single site I could find but could still hear dogs barking and music in the distance(to be fair"

    6. East Cross Creek from Halfmoon Pass

    1 Review
    Red Cliff, CO
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 827-5715

    7. Portal Campground

    27 Reviews
    Aspen, CO
    29 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."

    "There are fire pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets. It is free to camp and the sites are not reservable so get there early. Four wheel drive and high clearance is recommended on Lincoln Creek Rd."

    8. Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping

    45 Reviews
    Blue River, CO
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 468-5400

    "Found this spot at about 7PM on a Friday night near the Breckenridge end of the Boreas Pass Trail (39.451441,-106.014294)."

    "This this is a long Winding Road up the mountain that has many nice places to pull over and Camp right off the road. Some are a bit further back than others. Most are accessible to any vehicle."

    9. Blue Lake Camp

    4 Reviews
    Eagle, CO
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (970) 876-9000

    "Blue Lake is by far one of the most serene glacial lakes in the area and offers multiple primitive camp sites designated by fire rings."

    10. Camp Hale National Historic Site

    1 Review
    Red Cliff, CO
    18 miles
    Website

    "Hiking, OHV Trails, Historical Sites, and a short drive from Leadville."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near White River National Forest

105 Photos of 62 White River National Forest Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near White River National Forest

1781 Reviews of 62 White River National Forest Campgrounds

  • Renee H.
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Difficult Campground

    Quiet campground close to Aspen

    Quiet campground, off grid, no cell signal, no wi-fi. Busy campground due to proximity to Aspen. Adequate space between sites. Pit toilets, dumpsters available. May pose access challenges for larger rigs. Each site has picnic table, fire ring, bear box. No amenities, no laundry, no showers, no electricity. Smallest amount of road noise, depending on what site you are in. Day use parking lot available.

  • Amanda M.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Gore Creek Campground

    Gore Creek - Rocky Mountain camping off Highway 70

    We stayed at the Gore Creek Campground last summer 2017 on a drive from Southern California to Denver, CO. We took highway 15 through Nevada and Utah, and connected to Highway 70 in Utah to Colorado. To budget this trip, we tried to camp most of the way out and back to California - we saved our Airbnb rentals for Denver, where I️ was competing in Pole Theatre USA, an international pole dancing competition. We wanted to find a spot to camp for the night that was close to highway 70 and not toooooo far outside of Denver - Gore Creek Campground was the spot. It’s about 10-15 minutes outside of Vail, and about and hour and a half outside of Denver.

    Campsites at Gore Creek are reservable ahead of time on recreation.org - we planned this trip about 6 months in advanced so had no problem reserving a site for one night on a weeknight. This campground is fairly small, however, with fewer than 30 sites, so I️ imagine it fills up quickly during the peak summer months. There are mostly drive-in sites in this campground, but there were some neat walk-in sites in a loop beyond the drive-in sites.

    Gore Creek is a beautiful wooded campground that sits next to Gore Creek. There are a few ‘riverside sites’ in the campground, that were 60 yards or so from the creek. We had our pick of the sites that many months in advanced, so we chose site 9 as it appeared to be well secluded and close to the river - both were true! The area is densely wooded, so the sites have a lot of privacy, and the sound of the river is relaxing and peaceful at night, and drowned out most of the noise pollution from the nearby highway.

    Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The camp hosts were extremely kind and welcoming, and kept the grounds and the vault toilets very clean. There is NO WATER available at Gore Creek, so make sure to bring in plenty of water for cooking, washing, and drinking.

    WARNING: You ARE in bear country - be bear smart and safe and use your bear box! We had our own bear box in our campsite - I believe each site has its own food locker. Try to lock all of your food and toiletries inside the food locker - they are large, and we have always been able to fit our big cooler into locker. If you do have to leave a cooler in the car, I was once told by a ranger in Yosemite NP that bears can recognize coolers when peering into car windows - he suggested putting put a towel and gear over your coolers when keeping them in the car overnight in bear territory.

    There is a lot of beautiful hiking trails in the Vail - Gore Creek area. We did not have much time to explore as I️ had an appointment in Denver in the afternoon, but the area is absolutely gorgeous.

    CAMPSITE SPECS

    Fees: $25/night

    Plumbed Toilets: NO - vault

    Water: NO

    Showers: NO

    Picnic Table: Yes

    Firepit: Yes

    Cooking Grate: Yes

    Shade: Yes

    Cell Service: Yes

    Trash: Yes

    Animal Bins/Food Lockers: YES

  • Amy S.
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Bogan Flats Campground Grp S

    Lovely campground by a rive

    Lovely quite campground in the woods next to a river. We stayed on the side away from the river and I wish we had stayed on the river side, but it was still fantastic. No cell service, pit toilets, no showers. A little far away from civilization/stores, which is exactly what we were looking for. Site 10 setup is great, park near the picnic table and fire ring, pitch tent a little further up the slope under the trees. It did get coooold during early June, bring a good sleeping bag and warm clothes!!

  • Renee H.
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Chapman Campground And Group Camp - White River NF

    Remote, off grid camping in the mountains

    This remote campground might pose some access challenges for larger rigs. Clean pit toilets, no showers, no laundry. Fresh drinking water and dumpsters are available. No dump station in campground. Mixture of river and non river sites. Plenty of room and privacy between sites. No mobile phone coverage, no wi-fi, no amenities within 30 miles of the campground. 2 campground hosts on site. Small reservoir lake nearby for fishing and canoeing. Hiking and fishing nearby. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and bear box.

  • Anthony P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2018

    Homestake Road Dispersed - CO

    Go to Spots

    These are my go to spots to get away for a day or two. The area is surround by rivers to fish, many hiking trails, backpacking and some climbing. The spots are dispersed along home stake road which runs for about 10 miles and some spots are also along Missouri Creek. The best part about this area is that it is free. Don't get confused with the FS designated campground about 7 miles down the road (Gold Park, this is a paid spot with vault toilets, fire rings and tables)

    Each spot is of course unique, some are small and some large enough for RV's and trailers, though i have not seen many RV's in the area and i would not recommend it based on road width and lack of turn arounds. These spots do not have fire rings or tables, they are primitive and you will find rock rings in most areas. I highly recommend this area, it does get very busy on the weekends as its a favorite local spot. At the end of the road, roughly 10 miles, you come to a large reservoir that is good for fishing and non motorized rafts.

    Homestake road is usually a easy drive and most cars will be fine on it. Like most areas in the White River National Forest, the roads will open and close based on weather. Usually this is open Mid June to Mid October.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2023

    Ami's Acres Campground

    Close to Glenwood Springs and Hanging Lake

    General: A mix of pull-thru RV sites, back-in van sites, and walk-in tent sites. We called about two weeks prior and were happy to secure a site on a Saturday at the very end of April. This campground is located right on I70 so you will definitely hear highway noise (and occasional train noise). The sites are stacked on a hillside and as would be expected in an RV park, there is little separation/privacy between sites. The road in is a bit rough but so were many of the area roads after a harsh winter. 

    Site Quality: Sites are gravel. Site 55 was just long enough for our 18-foot van to fit. Not all of the van sites had picnic tables, but our site had a table where we could set up our camp stove and we ate inside our van. It also looked like there was a gas grill that might be shared for the van sites, but we didn’t inquire about it/use it. We had a fire pit but didn’t use it. Fires are NOT permitted in the RV sites and although there was a sign indicating a fire ban, you could speak with the office to see if fires are currently permitted in designated campfire pits. 

    Bath/Shower house: Was very clean and nicely appointed. Did not use the shower. 

    We chose this campground knowing we would hear highway noise, but it was a convenient location for our hike to Hanging Lake the next day. Craig was very welcoming both on the phone and upon our arrival.

  • A
    Jul. 26, 2022

    Mollie B_white River

    Such a great spot!

    What a hidden gem this campsite was! The bathrooms are cleaner than any campsite I've ever stayed in and were always well stocked with toilet paper. There's running water, and secure dumpsters around the grounds. Each campsite also has its own secure bear box that was large enough to fit my 50qt cooler. Firewood is available for sale, and the campground hosts are very friendly and helpful! 

    The campground is adjacent to the reservoir and is within walking distance of the marina grounds. With plenty of beachfront access, many campers were able to set up day tents by the lake, anchor boats, and launch paddle boards and canoes easily. There are a wide variety of campsites available, with everything from larger RV pull-throughs, to small tent-only sites. Some are a bit more shaded than others, though, and I do wish we'd been able to snag one with more tree cover. 

    This campground was easy to reach and maneuver around in my RWD low-set sedan, and the roads are very well maintained. There is no cell service at all out here though, and it is easily a 20-30 minute drive to Basalt. 

    This was such a delightful find, though, and I will definitely be back!

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Weller Campground

    Smaller Mountain Campground With Hiking Nearby

    This is one of the smaller sites alongside the main road you will find just a short distance outside of Aspen. I was passing through late in the season, technically during "closure" but was able to snag a site because it had not yet been closed due to unusually warmer fall. There had been some snowfall higher up but where I was there had not so the camp had not been closed. They had however turned off the potable water source but vault toilets and sites remained open.

    I was located in site 5 which had a small back in area, a picnic table and fire ring. There were also bear boxes throughout camp, which you need to use if you are here because there is a population of bears that will raid camp. I made sure to keep any food in the car behind doors and cleaned up away from camp with my own water source so as to not attract anything to come near. Bears do scare me a bit!!

    The site for my tent was lush and grassy, it had not yet frozen or died for the season so it felt very fluffy underneath my tent.

    Temperatures dropped dramatically at night and I was happy there was no fire ban when I visited because I used my fire for a heat source in the evening and then hand warmers inside extra socks at night. It was pretty peaceful at the camp as a whole.

    While there I enjoyed hiking on the Weller Trail which heads directly out from the parking area near the camp and treks a short distance with some amazing views. I was so happy to have found this site for only $21.

    TIPS:

    • Typical season is May to the end of September if it is before or after this time check with the Forest Service to see if they have opened camp for season.

    • Bring a flashlight there is no external light at the campground so you will not be able to see anything without one.

  • Morgan M.
    Sep. 15, 2021

    Gold Park Campground

    Go for Gold

    Sites were a bit close together but it was still in a beautiful area right on the river. We were very jealous of site #7 it was by far the best of them. On the river, and backed up to trees and a rock face and the most secluded. The rest were sort of out in the open. Definitely far from help so bring some bear spray because we would see some recent bear activity and no cell service. Each site has a food locker which was very convenient along with a fire ring and a picnic table. The grounds had vault toilets but it was very very clean. Lots to do around white river national forest and I would stay here again!

Guide to White River National Forest

Dispersed tent camping in White River National Forest offers numerous options at elevations between 8,000-11,000 feet. The forest spans over 2.3 million acres across nine Colorado counties with camping season typically running from June through September. Roads to higher elevation sites often remain closed until late June due to snowmelt, with weather conditions changing rapidly even during summer months.

What to do

Fishing at freshwater lakes: Blue Lake Camp features crystal clear glacial water ideal for fishing. "A few kind souls have even left their row boats in the woods next to the lake, to my knowledge they still leave these here for others to enjoy," notes camper Isabelle K.

Peak summiting: Portal Campground serves as an excellent base for summit attempts. "Portal campground is a beautiful place to camp and has pit toilets available for use. We camped here in Early July and it was pretty busy but were able to snag a spot by the Lake," reports Connor M.

Off-road exploring: Many dispersed sites require navigating unpaved forest roads. "We took a left up the hill and found a more secluded spot, but that road was tight (probably not worth it in a van)," advises Amber M. about Red Sandstone area.

What campers like

Mountain views: Boreas Pass sites offer panoramic views. "We could easily walk down to a peaceful little valley and open space. The views were absolutely breathtaking, with sweeping mountain scenery that made every moment feel special," shares Jenny B.

Wildlife watching: Boreas Pass Road provides opportunities to spot local fauna. "Wildlife was another highlight—there were clear signs of moose activity nearby, and fellow campers just up the road mentioned seeing a moose wander around their site," reports Jenny B.

Secluded sites: Homestake Reservoir Road features multiple camping spots. "Found a great spot on the creek. Level and had a turn around for a larger rig. Many tent sites around. Road is in good shape," says Amy N. about the Homestake Reservoir area.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many sites requires appropriate vehicles. "Definitely would advise 4x4, and not for travel trailers at all. Bringing one up could lead to a serious situation, since there are no places to turn around whatsoever," warns Adam D. about Bellyache Road.

Elevation considerations: Higher elevation camping requires preparation. "Being at a higher elevation, one person in our group did experience some mild altitude discomfort, even though we're from the Denver area—something to keep in mind if you're sensitive to elevation changes," notes Jenny B. about camping at Boreas Pass.

Insects: Many campers report significant mosquito activity near water sources. "Notch Mountain Creek runs straight though the grounds and is a mosquito haven. Bring bug spray!!" advises Anthony P. about Halfmoon Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Base camp strategy: Use established sites as starting points for adventures. "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," shares Anthony P.

Site spacing: Consider how close neighboring campsites are. "The campground has seven sites fairly spread out from one another. Got there around 5pm on a Friday (9/9) and there was no one else there," reports Kristen about Halfmoon Campground.

Education opportunities: Camp Hale National Historic Site provides historical context. "Lot's to see and do in this area. Hiking, OHV Trails, Historical Sites, and a short drive from Leadville," notes Campground Recon C.

Tips for RVers

Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas have limited space for large vehicles. "The areas 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," explains Anthony P. about Halfmoon Campground.

Road clearance requirements: Forest roads often demand specific vehicle capabilities. "Absolutely requires four-wheel drive for two and a half miles of extremely rough unpaved road that goes up a thousand feet. I don't regret bringing my travel trailer up here because it's meant for rough roads but had I known the road was this rough I wouldn't have started," shares Steve M. about Bellyache Road.

Advanced scouting: Check road conditions before bringing in larger vehicles. "Road up has tons of ruts, some a hit deep so I would not come with any tow behind. Nice little creek and a couple fire pits already there made for the perfect night," advises Heather E.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping spots in White River National Forest?

White River National Forest offers exceptional tent camping options. Portal Campground near Grizzly Reservoir stands out with its stunning mountain views and lakeside location. Though small with only about 5 sites, each includes a picnic table and fire ring. For those seeking dispersed options, Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping provides excellent sites with established fire rings near Breckenridge. Other notable spots include Lincoln Gulch campground off Independence Pass and the dispersed sites along Lincoln Creek Road. For a more secluded experience, consider exploring the designated sites along Homestake Reservoir Road or the dispersed camping areas near Beaver Creek.

Do I need a camping permit for White River National Forest?

Yes, most camping in White River National Forest requires a permit, though the specific requirements vary by location. Developed campgrounds like Halfmoon Campground near Minturn require payment of a fee, which serves as your permit. For dispersed camping in designated areas such as Homestake Reservoir Rd Milemarker 3, no advance permit is typically needed, but you must follow forest regulations including camping in established sites only. During peak seasons and in high-use areas, additional permits or reservations may be required. Always check the White River National Forest website or contact a ranger station before your trip as requirements can change seasonally.

What amenities are available at tent campgrounds in White River National Forest?

Amenities at White River National Forest tent campgrounds vary by location. Beaver Creek Unit - Hot Sulphur State Wildlife Area offers dispersed sites along the creek with access to nearby hot springs, but minimal facilities. Developed sites like Red Sandstone - Primitive Dispersed provide more basic amenities. Most established campgrounds offer fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. Some have potable water during summer months, though this isn't universal. Shower facilities are rare in the forest campgrounds. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. For RV campers, hookups are generally not available at most tent-focused campgrounds. Always pack out all trash as garbage service is not provided at most locations.

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