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Difficult Campground

White River National Forest

Upcoming Availability

8 of 14 days currently show available sites.

View releasing sites

Sun, Jul 26

None

available

Mon, Jul 27

None

available

Tue, Jul 28

2

sites

Wed, Jul 29

5

sites

Thu, Jul 30

5

sites

Fri, Jul 31

None

available

Sat, Aug 1

None

available

Sun, Aug 2

1

site

Mon, Aug 3

1

site

Tue, Aug 4

3

sites

Wed, Aug 5

3

sites

Thu, Aug 6

2

sites

Fri, Aug 7

None

available

Sat, Aug 8

None

available

Campground guide

What to know before booking

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. Difficult Group site has one site available for reservation: There is no electric hook ups but potable water is available at a spigots inside the main campground. 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.

max Stay

5

Official campground details, summarized

Concise planning notes based on the public Recreation.gov campground information.

Facilities

Difficult Group site has one site available for reservation: There is no electric hook ups but potable water is available at a spigots inside the main campground. Group Site: facilities include: hardened parking for campers/RV's and passenger vehicles. The site has 1 group size fire ring, 1 pedestal grill, 1 food locker, and 5 picnic tables.

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.

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.

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.

Campsite map

Site markers come from Recreation.gov campsite coordinates.

48 mapped sites

Campsites

A sample of official campsite metadata for scanning equipment fit before booking.

Site 016

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

33 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 014

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

57 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 011

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

56 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 028

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

41 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 018

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

40 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 001

GRP

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC

20 ft

vehicle

30

people

Yes

shade

Site 019

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

40 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 008

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

46 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 001

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

47 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 047

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

39 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 022

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

40 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 031

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

43 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 013

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

38 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 040

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

32 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 007

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

38 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 025

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

30 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 004

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

46 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 038

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

39 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 033

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

32 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 005

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

52 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 037

DIFF

MANAGEMENT

60 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 026

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

30 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 046

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

32 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Site 039

DIFF

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

37 ft

vehicle

10

people

shade

Important notices

Dogs must be always on leash within the two sites and anywhere in this area. Campers must occupy the site the first night at a campsite. This prevents booking the site for Fri-Sun and showing up on Saturday. Campers may leave the site for 24 hours and must occupy the site otherwise. This allows a camper to say go for an overnight backpack trip in the woods for one night and come back to their campsite the next day.
All food, beverage and trash must be always attended by an adult, this requires someone within 100 feet of the attractants. Otherwise, all attractants shall be stored in a locked vehicle/camper or food lockers. Those camping must adhere to the food storage rule as well and store all attractants in a locked vehicle unless attending the food, garbage, etc.
All garbage shall be removed from the site and deposited in the appropriate receptacle by check out time.
Off Highway Vehicle Use in not allowed at group or any other site in campground

More at White River National Forest

Other tracked campgrounds from the same park or area.

Surrounding campgrounds

Other tracked campgrounds within driving distance, nearest first.

Common questions

Is Difficult Campground available right now?

Kestrel's most recent scan found openings on 8 of the next 14 days, starting Tue, Jul 28. Availability changes constantly — check the calendar above, then confirm on Recreation.gov.

How do I book Difficult Campground?

Reservations are handled by Recreation.gov, not by Kestrel. Use the official reservation link on this page to book. Kestrel only watches availability and tells you when a site frees up.

How quickly will I hear about a cancellation?

Kestrel rescans every two minutes, and every 30 seconds during the provider's daily release window. Alerts go out by email as soon as a matching site appears.