How much does camping cost at Dearhamer Campground?

Camping fees at Dearhamer Campground range from $29/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Dearhamer Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Dearhamer Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Dearhamer Campground before I book?

Yes! Dearhamer Campground has 8 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Dearhamer Campground?

Dearhamer Campground is open May 13 to October 29. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Dearhamer Campground?

Dearhamer Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Dearhamer Campground?

Fire policies at Dearhamer Campground: 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.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Dearhamer Campground have?

Dearhamer Campground has 13 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Dearhamer Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Dearhamer Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Dearhamer Campground?

Dearhamer Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Dearhamer Campground?

Popular activities at Dearhamer Campground include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Dearhamer Campground

4.24

140 reviews

MOLLIE B WHITE RIVER, SOPRIS RANGER DISTRICT, CARBONDALE, CO, 81623, USA

Top 22% in COFall

FishingSummer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,800 ft

Price

$29/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Peak season is May 1...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Aspen Sopris Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

7,800 ft

Price

$29/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Peak season is May 1...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Aspen Sopris Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Dearhamer Campground

$29.00 - $29.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $29.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

801-226-3564Help.WhiteRiver.Sopris@AmericanLL.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

MOLLIE B WHITE RIVER, SOPRIS RANGER DISTRICT, CARBONDALE, CO, 81623, USA

Dearhamer Campground

MOLLIE B WHITE RIVER, SOPRIS RANGER DISTRICT, CARBONDALE, CO, 81623, USA

Nearby places

Basalt (22 miles, approximately 45 minutes), Meredith (few miles further down the road).

Weather at Dearhamer Campground

Current alerts(11)

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.
Any accepted senior passes must be entered for the discount at the time of booking for single sites only.
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.
Campers must occupy the site the first night at a campsite. This prevents booking the site for Fri-Sun and showing up on Saturday.

Best Time to Camp at Dearhamer Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of crisp weather, peak foliage, and lighter crowds — daytime highs in September are often in the mid-50s to mid-70s F with chilly nights dropping into the 20s–40s F. Aspen and cottonwood color along the Fryingpan River and Ruedi Reservoir make for spectacular scenery, and hiking, biking, and shore-side fishing are at their best with fewer mosquitoes and quieter campsites. Weekdays and early weekends are pleasantly uncrowded at this small 13-site campground, while Peak months: September, October, August, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 22% in CO

Fall noted as best: aspens peak, fewer bugs, cooler temps and thinner crowds.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 13 to October 29. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak season is May 13 to October 29, 2025.

About Dearhamer Campground

Dearhamer Campground sits along the Fryingpan River near Ruedi Reservoir in White River National Forest, operated by the Aspen Sopris Ranger District. This high-elevation alpine campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, potable water, and a camp store. Campers hike, bike, and watch wildlife in an area known for fall aspen color and access to river and reservoir fishing.

Dearhamer Campground supports a mix of tent, trailer, and RV camping accommodations but does not offer cabins or glamping options. Group sites are not specified.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the best combination of crisp weather, peak foliage, and lighter crowds — daytime highs in September are often in the mid-50s to mid-70s F with chilly nights dropping into the 20s–40s F. Aspen and cottonwood color along the Fryingpan River and Ruedi Reservoir make for spectacular scenery, and hiking, biking, and shore-side fishing are at their best with fewer mosquitoes and quieter campsites. Weekdays and early weekends are pleasantly uncrowded at this small 13-site campground, while Peak months: September, October, August, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation7800 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe Fryingpan River runs directly past the campground, and Ruedi Reservoir sits close enough for easy water access. Rocky Mountain peaks surround the area, though the campground itself occupies riverside terrain rather than high alpine elevation. Expect to see wildlife: reviewers mention elk, bighorn sheep, and bald eagles. The river holds Gold Medal Waters status for its trout fishing. In fall, aspen and cottonwood color the drainage, especially along the water. Summer brings heavy mosquitoes. Multiple reviews call bug spray essential. Dust is common when it's dry.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or accommodations are available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are offered.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum consecutive stay is 14 nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

One RV with tow per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle.

Groups

Group sites are not available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov online, app, or contact center.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are limited to standard vault toilets and leveled campsites; no specific ADA-compliant facilities are mentioned.

Site SizeThe sites are standard-sized with some variation in ground level. Site #7 has been criticized for its steep slope.

PrivacyThe privacy level varies significantly. Sites in the middle of the loop are described as exposed and lacking privacy, while edge sites are preferred for seclusion.

Total Campsites13 campsites

Recommended SitesSite 5 is praised for streamside access and privacy. Site 13 is noted for steep slopes and poor condition. Middle sites lack shade and privacy.

Best CampsitesEdge sites offer more privacy than middle-loop spots, which reviewers describe as exposed. Avoid site 7. It's on a steep slope. Site 13 gets criticized for poor shade and amenities. Streamside sites provide better river access and views.

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

Dearhamer Campground offers basic amenities ideal for campers who enjoy a semi-rustic experience. The campground has 13 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs up to 35 feet in length. Amenities include picnic tables and campfire rings at each site, along with vault toilets and a drinking water hydrant. Electrical hookups are not available. Bear-proof trash receptacles and food lockers are provided for safety. User reviews frequently praise the cleanliness of the vault toilets, with one stating, 'The camp host at the time of our stay, Ms. Vicky, had the campground looking immaculate! I don’t think I’ve ever seen restrooms as clean as those at any campground.'

Potable water

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Dearhamer Campground offers a range of recreational activities suitable for outdoor enthusiasts including fly fishing, hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and wildlife viewing. The Fryingpan River and Ruedi Reservoir provide excellent opportunities for fishing and water sports. The Ruedi Trail offers challenging hiking with spectacular panoramic views.

Hiking

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; the campground is equipped with vault toilets praised for their cleanliness in several reviews.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof lockers are provided at each site to ensure safe storage of food, beverages, and scented items.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.2

140 reviews

Satisfactory

Dearhamer Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Dearhamer Campground has received mixed reviews, averaging a sentiment score of 4.176470588235294. Positive highlights include clean restrooms, friendly camp hosts, proximity to the Fryingpan River and Ruedi Reservoir, and opportunities for activities like fishing and hiking. Negative aspects include mosquito prevalence, site exposure, and occasional overcrowding.

Review Summaries

Based on 140 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities, particularly the vault toilets, and the friendliness of camp hosts like Vicky and Jean. The natural beauty of the area and access to the Fryingpan...

Based on 140 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues include mosquitoes described as 'brutal' by multiple users, site exposure in the middle loop, overcrowding during peak times, dusty conditions, and occasional management or amenity...

Based on 140 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #7 is criticized for its steep slope, #13 for its lack of shade and broken picnic table, and #1 for exposure to road noise and dust. Sites closer to the water are considered superior for privacy...

Based on 140 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing bug spray due to heavy mosquito presence during summer. Sites on the edge of the loop offer more privacy than middle sites. Fill your gas tank before leaving Basalt and bring...

Based on 140 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews often highlight heavy mosquito activity and crowds. Fall reviews are more positive, noting fewer bugs and beautiful autumn scenery.

Based on 140 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The camp host at the time of our stay, Ms. Vicky, had the campground looking immaculate!' 2. 'Bring bug spray that has been banned by the EPA... Mosquitoes were brutal!' 3. 'The bathrooms were...

Based on 140 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are minimal and not explicitly reviewed. Vault toilets are noted as clean but standard.

Based on 140 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Very dog-friendly according to users, though some note issues with unleashed dogs. One user remarked, 'We had our dog and made sure to keep him on a 6ft leash at all times, although other campers...

Based on 140 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want high-elevation camping with river and reservoir access during fall color season.

Skip if

You need spacious, private sites or want to avoid mosquitoes and dust.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.4

(78)

Little Mattie Campground

Aspen Sopris Ranger District, PO Box 309, Carbondale, CO 81623

Little Mattie Campground sits at high elevation in White River National Forest, minutes from Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt. Managed by the Aspen Sopris Ranger District, this small seasonal campground draws anglers and boaters who want quick access to the water without the crowds of lower-valley sites. Vault toilets are exceptionally well-maintained, and camp hosts keep the grounds tidy throughout the summer season.