Map showing campground location near Dutch John, Colorado

Camper submitted image from Swinging Bridge

Swinging Bridge

Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge encompasses Swinging Bridge, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service campground offering free camping along the Green River. The site features seven total spots - five positioned riverside and two inland near the restroom facilities, which reviewers note stay well-maintained and fully stocked.

River access proves limited to the boat ramp or bushwhacking through vegetation to reach the water's edge. The exposed location can generate strong winds and heat, with minimal shade except for RV campers. Several sites sit elevated on clifftop terrain requiring careful navigation. The historic swinging bridge, rebuilt in 2018 after its center collapsed, provides a narrow crossing and photo opportunity. Only non-motorized watercraft like paddleboards and rafts are permitted on this section. Campers seeking more shade often relocate to Crook Campground - FWS - Browns Park NWR nearby.

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Location

Public Campground

Swinging Bridge is located in Colorado

Coordinates

40.83600021 N
109.03900018 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Pull-Through Sites

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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General Info

Drive Time

4 hrs 24 min from Ogden, UT
4 hrs 31 min from Salt Lake City, UT
4 hrs 52 min from Provo, UT
4 hrs 59 min from Grand Junction, CO

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4.0

out of 5

1 Review

Hayley K.

Legend

Reviewed May. 18, 2021

Quiet but unshaded

This is a small campground that is best if you are in an RV for shade. This section of the river is exposed to the elements so it can get pretty windy and hot. The water access is limited to the boat ramp or wandering through the brush to get to the edge.

The first few spots of the campground are also a bit higher up on a cliff so be careful if you are planning to take those spots. The water is shallow but beautiful.

I spent most of my time paddleboarding through the rocky formations next to the site.

The bridge is super cool. Very narrow and makes for great photo opportunities and a little bit of a thrill if you want to complete the drive across it. It was rebuilt in 2018 after the center collapsed out of it. It is super sturdy now.

We decided after spending some time here that we wanted to move to the Crook campground for some shade.

This park and campground is handicap accessible but not paved. There are also handicap fishing spots, hunting blinds for permit hunting in season, and tons of wildlife. There are 5 sites on the river side and two on the land side of the road next to the bathroom. The bathrooms are really well maintained and clean.

The TP was fully stocked and was handicap accessible. The boat ramp is better at this campground than at Crook. There are no motorized boats allowed on this section of the water. Only human run boating aka paddleboards, rafts, float boats and tubes. This boat ramp is at deep enough water and the“ramp” isn’t too steep. There is no trash service so pack out what you brought in.

Month of VisitMarch