How much does camping cost at Silver Bar Campground?

Camping fees at Silver Bar Campground range from $15/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Silver Bar Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Silver Bar 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.

What is the best time to visit Silver Bar Campground?

Silver Bar Campground is open May 22 to September 30. 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 Silver Bar Campground?

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

How many campsites does Silver Bar Campground have?

Silver Bar Campground has 4 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Silver Bar Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Silver Bar 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 Silver Bar Campground?

Silver Bar Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Silver Bar Campground?

Popular activities at Silver Bar Campground include Hiking, Fishing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Silver Bar Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Silver Bar Campground?

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

4.81

80 reviews

806 W. Hallam

Scenic ViewsGreat Hiking

Featured in:Hiking Camping Colorado#1 Mountain Camping Colorado#1 Family-Friendly Campgrounds#3 +10 more

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

8,460 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

The campground opera...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Aspen-Sopris Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

8,460 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

The campground opera...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Aspen-Sopris Ranger District Official Website

Get Directions

Silver Bar Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $15.00. 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

(970)963-2266SM.FS.R2WhiteRiver@usda.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

806 W. Hallam

Silver Bar Campground

806 W. Hallam

Nearby places

Aspen (5 miles southwest, approximately 10 minutes driving)

Weather at Silver Bar Campground

Current alerts(14)

$10 car pass is required in addition to camping fee and will be collected as you enter the area. The car pass gives you unrestricted access to your campsite and the Maroon Bells.
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.
Camping overnight in wilderness areas requires registration (proper food storage is required in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness in an approved bear cannister).
Camping permitted in developed campgrounds and/or designated campsites only.

Best Time to Camp at Silver Bar Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full access to the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness and Silver Bar Campground—daytime highs typically range from roughly 60–75°F with cool nights in the 30s–40s. Trails, fishing, and wildlife viewing are at their peak (wildflowers in the subalpine meadows mid-summer, trout fishing productive in morning/evening), and all campground services are open. Expect afternoon thunderstorms on many days and heavy weekend day-use crowds at Maroon Lake, and note: a Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak season is summer; warm days, cool nights, most reviews and access occur then despite afternoon storms.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 22 to September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground operates from May 28 to September 30. Outside of this period, reservations are unavailable.

About Silver Bar Campground

Silver Bar Campground sits along Maroon Creek in White River National Forest, 12 miles from Aspen and minutes from the Maroon Bells trailhead. Operated by the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, this high-elevation primitive campground offers a handful of tent sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and bear-proof lockers. Campers hike into the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness and fish Maroon Creek during summer months, with the creek providing constant background noise through camp.

Silver Bar Campground is exclusively for tent camping with four walk-in sites. It does not accommodate RVs, trailers, or group camping. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, bear-proof food locker, and fire pit.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and full access to the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness and Silver Bar Campground—daytime highs typically range from roughly 60–75°F with cool nights in the 30s–40s. Trails, fishing, and wildlife viewing are at their peak (wildflowers in the subalpine meadows mid-summer, trout fishing productive in morning/evening), and all campground services are open. Expect afternoon thunderstorms on many days and heavy weekend day-use crowds at Maroon Lake, and note: a Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation8460 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe Maroon Bells dominate the view: twin peaks of layered red sandstone and mudstone shaped by ancient seas and glacial carving. The surrounding valleys show classic U-shaped profiles from ice age glaciers, with moraines and cirques visible in the higher terrain. Maroon Creek flows from high-altitude snowfields through the campground, supporting native trout populations. The elevation sits in the transition zone between montane forest and subalpine meadows. Aspen groves turn gold in fall, while spruce-fir stands provide darker pockets of shade. Wildflowers bloom in surrounding meadows mid-summer. Bighorn sheep navigate the cliffs above, and pikas inhabit the rockier outcrops.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere is no hotel-style lodging within the campground; it is exclusively for tent camping.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned for this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 5 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum occupancy of 8 people per site.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

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

AccessibilityThe campground includes one accessible tent site located near the vault toilet and the water source. However, drinking water is not available on-site, and visitors must bring their own.

Site SizeThe campsites are designed for tent camping with defined footprints accommodating up to 2 tents and 8 people per site.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary. Some users reported the sites offering good spacing and lush surroundings for privacy, while others described the experience as 'camping in a parking lot' with limited seclusion.

Total Campsites4 campsites

Recommended SitesFor privacy, Site 4 is the most exposed and near the vault toilet but provides convenient access to amenities. Site 3 is recommended for creek proximity and soothing sounds.

Best CampsitesSite 3 sits closest to Maroon Creek and gets constant white noise from a nearby waterfall. One camper reported sleeping well from the sound.

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Recreation.gov Guide

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Amenities available

Silver Bar Campground is a small, primitive camping facility located five miles from Aspen, Colorado. It is designed for tent camping only with four walk-in sites. Amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, bear-proof food storage lockers, and a single vault toilet. There is no drinking water, electricity, or shower facilities available on-site. Multiple reviewers emphasized the clean and well-kept vault toilet with one stating, 'The bathrooms were clean and maintained with TP our whole weekend.' Another user noted, 'Pit toilet was clean and maintained every day.' Trash and recycling bins are also provided. Cell phone service is not available in the canyon, as noted by multiple reviews.

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers access to a range of outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing, thanks to its proximity to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area and Maroon Creek.

Hiking

Fishing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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 at the campground. Instead, there is a single vault toilet which has been described by reviewers as clean and well-maintained.

Food Storage RequiredBear-proof food lockers are provided at each campsite and are considered essential due to local wildlife activity.

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).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyDon'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.

Trash & RecyclingA dumpster and a recycling bin are available for campers to dispose of waste. Reviewers appreciated the convenience and cleanliness of these facilities, with one stating, 'Bins emptied each day.'

Trip Planning Tools

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.8

80 reviews

Top-Rated

Silver Bar Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Silver Bar Campground receives consistently high ratings for its cleanliness, natural beauty, and proximity to Maroon Bells. The average user sentiment is 4.76, with many visitors praising the peaceful, rustic setting and convenient access to hiking trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 80 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 80 reviews.

Site 3Loved
Users frequently praise Site 3 for its proximity to a natural waterfall and Site 4 for its spaciousness.
Site 4Mentioned
Site 4 has also been noted to be more exposed but conveniently located next to the vault toilet.

What Campers Love

Positive highlights include clean and well-maintained facilities, proximity to Maroon Creek and Maroon Bells, and the inclusion of bear-proof storage lockers at each site. Users loved the natural...

Based on 80 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include the lack of water availability, limited privacy at some sites, and occasional issues with overcrowding during peak seasons. One user mentioned, 'Camping here is a very...

Based on 80 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing your own water and using the bear-proof storage lockers provided. Arriving early or reserving well in advance is advised due to the limited number of sites. Users also...

Based on 80 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular season for camping here, with warm days and cool evenings. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, and snow is possible even during summer months. Winter closures limit access...

Based on 80 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Perfect small campground within view of river and guard shack. Clean toilets, level site, picturesque.' (Date: 2022-06-07) - 'Gorgeous small campground with 24/7 access to Maroon Bells. Right on...

Based on 80 reviews

Accessibility Features

The campground includes an accessible site near the vault toilet, but reviews do not provide detailed feedback on the accessibility features beyond this.

Based on 80 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed but must be leashed at all times. No specific reviews highlighted the campground's pet-friendly features or issues.

Based on 80 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a no-frills base camp for Maroon Bells day hikes and don't need running water or privacy.

Skip if

You need potable water on-site, spacious sites, or want to avoid road noise and fly issues.

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4.5

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Silver Bell Campground

Aspen Ranger Station, 806 W. Hallam, Aspen, CO 81611, USA

Silver Bell Campground sits at 8,460 feet in White River National Forest, minutes from the Maroon Bells and Aspen's trailheads. Operated by the Aspen Ranger District, this small alpine campground offers tent, RV, and primitive sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and bear-proof lockers. Campers fish the nearby creek, hike high-alpine trails, and watch wildlife against a backdrop of Colorado's iconic peaks.