USDA Forest Service · Colorado

Difficult Campground

USDA Forest Service · Colorado, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
Sites
48
Hookups
47 no hookups
Season
May 13 to September 27
Group sites
Yes
Drinking water
Yes
Restrooms
Yes
Pets
Yes
Elevation
8,271 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
AT&T weak · T-Mobile none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
DIFFICULT CAMPGROUND (NFSR 108.1C) · asphalt · high degree of user comfort
Lake
White River National Forest
Nearest town
Aspen
Address
665 Difficult Campground Rd, Aspen , CO, 81611
Phone
970-927-0107
Activities
Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing

48 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.

Site map

48 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.

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About

Overview

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.

Charges & 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.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January32°16°-5°44°11 of 11
February33°17°-1°49°11 of 11
March41°22°7°55°11 of 11
April48°28°7°59°11 of 11
May56°35°24°65°8 of 11
June69°41°33°82°0 of 11
July77°50°42°84°0 of 11
August75°49°43°82°0 of 11
September70°44°27°79°1 of 11
October56°36°-6°66°6 of 10
November46°18°-8°59°10 of 10
December34°12°-6°49°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Trails nearby

All 729 trails in White River National Forest

Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-08. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.