Difficult Campground
White River National Forest
Located 5 miles southeast of Aspen, Colorado, Difficult Campground sits on the banks of the Roaring Fork River on the western slope of the Colorado Rockies.
Campsites are nestled in a mixed forest of aspen, cottonwood, pine, fir, scrub oak, and spruce, and several are at the river's edge, offering an ideal setting for
guests seeking recreation and relaxation.
Difficult Campground has 47 standard sites, including a group site.
It is important to note that vehicles over 35 feet in length are prohibited over Independence Pass but can access the campground via Aspen.
The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Firewood is available for sale at the site.
Campground radius turns are tight for large RVs, and brush encroaches on roadways and spurs.
Notifications and Alerts
Quiet Hours: 10pm - 6am. This means no use of generators during this time.
Dogs are required to be on leash at all times in campgrounds. Not complying can result in loss of campsite and possible fines.
Effective immediately, Only Hard side campers are allowed on premise for recent Bear activity near the campgrounds. Soft shell tents, pop ups, soft shell campers, and truck campers with pop-top roofs, and or rooftop tents are not permitted. All guests on the site can contain food in our food storage lockers, or in properly secure bear canisters. All storage containers or vehicles of any kind must be locked on the campsite. Guests with current reservations please check Email for further details.
A bear or bears have been sighted at multiple campgrounds, and we ask that everyone follow bear precautions, such as keeping food and trash properly stored in locked cars or bear storage containers, this includes locking storage compartments on trailers and RV units. Never leave food out unattended or bear boxes open. Our host will help preserve everyone's safety by reminding guests to observe the current forest service directive. Hosts may remove or secure food or trash from a campsite to help reduce bear traffic within the park. We ask everyone to help keep the campgrounds safe for everyone to enjoy.
Need to Know
Please Note: One RV with tow per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
Vehicles over 35 feet in length are prohibited over Independence Pass but can access the campground via Aspen
All food, beverages, trash and scented items must be properly stored when not attended. Bear-proof food lockers are provided at each site and bear-proof trash receptacles are provided at the campground.
- Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails
Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Any accepted senior passes must be entered for the discount at the time of booking for single sites only.
Click here for more information about White River National Forest.
Natural Features
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting 8 wilderness areas, 4
defined seasons, and 10 peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation.
Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.
The Roaring Fork River flows by the campground, a tributary of the mighty Colorado. Deep, swift and clear, the Roaring Fork rises in the Sawatch Range on the west side of the Continental Divide and drains an area of the Colorado Western Slope called the Roaring Fork Valley.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby 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 opportunites in this mountain town.
Recreation
Renowned for its fly fishing, the Roaring Fork River sustains populations of large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout. The nearby peaks and soothing sounds from the river offer anglers a perfect backdrop for an afternoon of fishing.
Whitewater adventure seekers may want to raft portions of the Roaring Fork, as it is navigable by small craft throughout most of its length to its confluence with the Colorado.
Hikers can access trails near the campground.
Changes & Cancellations
Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Contact Information
Physical
665 Difficult Campground Rd Aspen CO 81611
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 970-927-0107
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
665 Difficult Campground Rd. Aspen CO 816511
Take Highway 82 for 5 miles southeast of Aspen, Colorado. Look for USFS
Difficult Campground sign on the right, past Mile Marker 45.
Available Campsites
- Site 018, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop GRP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
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