With six sites and reservations available through the US Forest Service, Silver Queen Campground operates from late May through September at $15 per night. The campground sits within an aspen grove along Maroon Creek, just off the main road leading to the famous Maroon Bells area.
Sites accommodate RVs up to 30 feet and include fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes at each location. "This is a small campground with some spots along a creek," notes Megan, and several sites offer direct creek access for fishing. The facility provides drinking water, vault toilets, and trash service, with cell coverage available throughout the campground.
The location puts campers within walking distance of Maroon Lake trailheads, including the moderate hike to Crater Lake. During peak season, camping guests can bypass the mandatory shuttle system and drive directly to the Maroon Bells parking area with their vehicle pass. However, the roadside location means regular bus traffic passes by the sites. Biting insects can be problematic during summer months, so insect repellent proves essential.
Advanced reservations fill quickly during fall aspen season and summer peak times. For additional camping options in the area, see places to camp around Aspen. The rough access road requires careful driving, particularly for larger RVs approaching the 30-foot limit.
Description
Overview
Located just outside Aspen, Colorado, Silver Queen Campground is hemmed in by aspen groves, a short walk from Maroon Creek, with views of 14,018 foot Pyramid Peak. The campground sits at an elevation of 8,460 feet, allowing guests to experience warm summer days and cool evenings with probable afternoon thunderstorms. Come prepared for changing weather conditions. Snow is possible even at the peak of summer.
Recreation
For hikers and backpackers, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area epitomizes the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Starting from the Deadly Bells Trailhead at Maroon Lake, the West Maroon Trail gains elevation through aspen groves and evergreens, traverses boulder fields, crosses streams, and leads hikers through high-elevation (10,000+ feet) mountain passes. Climbing through alpine terrain, backpackers will find high mountain lakes and a smattering of wildflowers in mid-summer. Check specific regulations for camping in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. For day hikers and horseback riders, nearby Maroon Creek Trail offers a less crowded alternative to viewing the Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak and the entire Maroon valley. The gentle, flat terrain offers scenic stops that are great for picnicking.
Facilities
Silver Queen Campground has five campsites available for advanced reservation which are able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, vault toilets, food storage lockers (bear boxes), campfire rings and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Horses are not allowed in the campground.
Natural Features
The Maroon Bells Scenic Area is surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. This wilderness is one of the five original Colorado wilderness areas designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Its scenic value exudes from its aspen groves, meadows of wildflowers, and dark forests of spruce and fir that rise up from the valleys to alpine landscapes. Here, bighorn sheep, pika, and ptarmigan find habitat above timberline. Towering over glacial valleys at over 14,000 feet in elevation, the Maroon Bells are the most recognizable peaks in the Elk Mountains. The Maroon Bells are unique in the Rockies in that they are made up of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that gives the peaks their maroon color and unstable nature for climbing.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (970) 945-2521.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby resort town of Aspen is a popular destination for visitors to the area. From downhill skiing and world-class fly fishing, to dining and resorts, there is a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunities in this mountain town.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSilver Queen Campground is located in Colorado
Directions
Coming to Aspen via Independence Pass: Take Highway 82 West from downtown Aspen, 1 mile to the roundabout (rotary). From the roundabout, take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station. Continue past the Welcome Station 1.5 miles. Silver Queen Campground is on the left hand side. Silver Queen Campground is approximately 6.5 miles from Highway 82 at the roundabout. Coming to Aspen via Glenwood Springs: Take Highway 82 for 40 miles to the roundabout (rotary). From the roundabout, take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station. Continue past the Welcome Station 1.5 miles. Silver Queen Campground is on the left hand side. Silver Queen Campground is approximately 6.5 miles from Highway 82 at the roundabout.
Coordinates
39.1330556 N
106.9 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 34 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 3 hrs 51 min from Denver, CO
- 4 hrs from Boulder, CO
- 4 hrs 38 min from Colorado Springs, CO
