Shepherds Rim Campground

Star4.64
136 reviews
NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND,COUNTY RD 8, MEEKER, CO 81641, USA
Scenic ViewsGreat HikingFishingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

9,720 ft

Price

$22 - $23/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Open from June 3 to ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Vista Recreation site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Shepherds Rim Campground
$22.00 - $23.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Standard Nonelectric sites cost $23 per night, while tent-only Nonelectric sites cost $22. Displayed rates do not include discounts, taxes, or...
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Standard Site Fee$23.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
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What Campers Say

4.64

Top-Rated

Based on 136 reviews

7 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanhikinglakefriendly

Some mention

mosquitoes

"User reviews highlight the campground’s clean facilities, accommodating hosts, and stunning natural surroundings. "This is one of the nicest campgrounds we’ve ever stayed at." (User review by Karissa H). However, complaints include relentless mosquitoes during summer and misleading location information."

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Campground Map

NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND,COUNTY RD 8, MEEKER, CO 81641, USA

Shepherds Rim Campground

NORTH FORK CAMPGROUND,COUNTY RD 8, MEEKER, CO 81641, USA

Driving directionsFrom Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 39 miles to Trappers Lake Road #205. Turn south on Trappers Lake Road #205, and continue for 10 miles just past the Outlet Trailhead. The Shepherds Rim Campground is on the right.
Approximately 51 miles from Meeker, with 30 miles on asphalt and 20 miles on well-maintained dirt road. "The roads were inexplicably redone by two different counties and the forest service working together to provide a better experience to future campers" (user review).
Nearby places
Buford (25.2 miles), Meeker (49.4 miles), Rifle (90.5 miles), New Castle (105 miles), Glenwood Springs (117 miles).
Nearby supplies
Meeker is the closest town with supplies. "Be prepared with your supplies and full gas tanks," as noted by a user review.

Best Time to Camp at Shepherds Rim Campground

At nearly 10,000 feet, Shepherds Rim delivers a true alpine climate adventure. Winter transforms the landscape into a crystalline wonderland, with temperatures often hovering around 24°F during the day and plunging to a crisp 5°F at night—perfect for those seeking solitude and snow-covered serenity. But it's during the glorious summer months that the campground truly comes alive, as moderate temperatures and azure skies draw outdoor enthusiasts eager to explore the surrounding wilderness. The elevation ensures even the warmest summer days remain refreshingly cool, making it an ideal escape from lower-altitude heat.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Peak season with hiking, fishing and wildlife; reviewers praise scenery but cite 'relentless' mosquitoes.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 16% in CO

Late-season access through Nov 2; crisp alpine weather, quieter crowds and excellent scenery.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Site opens in early June; spring access limited by snow and closure.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed in winter (open June–Nov); winter use not supported.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: June 3 - November 2. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open from June 3 to November 2 (reservable start date June 23).
  • Current Alerts: Mudslides have been noted during certain seasons (user reviews).

About Shepherds Rim Campground

Perched at a breathtaking 9,720 feet in the Colorado Rockies, Shepherds Rim Campground at Trappers Lake invites adventurers to experience high-altitude camping at its finest. This intimate mountain retreat features 15 carefully positioned campsites that welcome everything from cozy tents to full-sized RVs, each equipped with its own picnic table and campfire ring where stories are shared under star-studded skies. While you won't find electrical hookups here, the campground provides the essentials—clean vault toilets and fresh mountain drinking water—ensuring a comfortable yet authentic wilderness experience.
Shepherds Rim Campground offers multiple camping options including tent, RV, and one primitive site.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in by 12:00 PM on the day following the reservation start date.
Check-out
Check-out by 12:00 PM on departure date.
Stay Limit
You may stay up to 14 nights during a single visit and up to 14 nights total within each month.

Amenities available

Potable water
Dump station
Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Firewood available

Activities you can enjoy

Shepherds Rim Campground provides access to outdoor recreation such as fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and interpretive programs. Trappers Lake, known as the Cradle of Wilderness, is nearby and offers serene fishing experiences.
HikingSeveral hiking trails are accessible directly from the campground, including sections of the Carhart Trail (#1815). "Several amazing day hikes within walking distance of your camp spot." (User review by Sara W). Trails vary in difficulty from easy to moderate.
FishingFishing at Trappers Lake is excellent, with native cutthroat trout available. Colorado Parks and Wildlife operates a spawn collection station at the Cabin Creek inlet during May and June.
BikingBiking is limited to roads; trails do not permit biking. "Don't bring your MTN bikes, none of the trails allow biking, we could only ride on the roads." (User review by Cody N).
Wildlife viewingWildlife is abundant, with sightings of deer, elk, and even bull elk bugling at dusk. "Had some deer and elk traffic right through camp." (User review by Jordan P).
Cultural and Educational ProgramsInterpretive programs are available, providing insights into the area's unique wilderness characteristics.
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes and biting flies are described as "relentless." Wilderness area terrain demands preparedness for emergencies during longer hikes.
Active AlertsMudslides have been noted during certain seasons (user reviews).
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food lockers are available at each campsite. Bear-proof trash receptacles are provided throughout the campground.

Weather at Shepherds Rim Campground

Reviews

4.6
136 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Shepherds Rim Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the campground’s clean facilities, accommodating hosts, and stunning natural surroundings. "This is one of the nicest campgrounds we’ve ever stayed at." (User review by Karissa H). However, complaints include relentless mosquitoes during summer and misleading location information.
Review Summaries
Based on 136 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean bathrooms, well-maintained sites, friendly hosts, proximity to hiking trails and Trappers Lake, serene environment. "Very clean campground, cleaner bathrooms, friendly hosts." (User review by...
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Based on 136 reviews

Common Concerns

Mosquitoes are described as "relentless" in summer by multiple reviewers. Some users also found the online campsite descriptions misleading or unhelpful.
Based on 136 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring ample mosquito repellant and supplies as the campground is remote. "Take lots of bug repellant in the early summer months." (User review by Brooks O).
Based on 136 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews emphasize mosquito issues but also praise the hiking opportunities, wildlife viewing, and scenery. Winter reviews are sparse but highlight tranquility and clean facilities.
Based on 136 reviews

Camper Quotes

"The bathrooms were immaculate and the water pumps were prevalent." (User review by Gina H). "Quiet, serene and bathrooms kept exceptionally clean." (User review by Amy S). "The camp hosts were very...
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Based on 136 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #9 is consistently praised for privacy and suitability for tents. Site #15 is noted for proximity to restrooms, which may lead to odor issues depending on wind conditions. "Site #9 offers more...
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Based on 136 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but reviewers noted that leash rules are not strictly enforced. "The host kept a clean campground, but in some cases would not enforce rules like dogs having leashes." (User review...
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Based on 136 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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