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

• ATTENTION – BE BEAR AWARE Bears are active in Difficult Campground and Difficult Group Site. It is imperative that you store all food (dry, fresh, frozen, packaged, etc.), all beverages (canned, bottled, fresh, frozen etc.), all pet food and any product that has an odor in a locked food storage locker at the site, locked vehicle (windows and door must be locked), or in your locked camper with all windows, doors and hatches locked when you are not with it. Help us keep you and bears safe.

• 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.

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

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 970-927-0107

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

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 029, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop GRP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, 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 030, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop DIFF, Type Standard Nonelectric

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