Silver Bar Campground

4.91

80 reviews

806 W. Hallam

Romantic GetawayScenic ViewsStargazingGreat Hiking

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

Quick Facts

8,460 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

The campground opera...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Aspen-Sopris Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Quick Facts

8,460 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

4 campsites

Season

The campground opera...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Aspen-Sopris Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Silver Bar Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The nightly rate for a tent-only, nonelectric site during peak season is $15. An additional $10 car pass is required for entry.

Standard Site Fee$15.00

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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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(970)963-2266

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What Campers Say

4.91

Top-Rated

Based on 80 reviews

9 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanwell-maintained

"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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

806 W. Hallam

Silver Bar Campground

806 W. Hallam

Driving directionsLocated approximately 5 miles southwest of Aspen, Colorado, on Maroon Creek Road. From Highway 82, take the Maroon Creek Road exit at the roundabout on the west edge of town. Follow Maroon Creek Road to the Welcome Station. Silver Bar Campground is on the left.

Access to the campground is via a paved road (Maroon Creek Road) directly from Highway 82 in Aspen, Colorado. Seasonal closures of Independence Pass (Highway 82) can occur from Memorial Day to mid-October, depending on weather conditions.

Nearby places

Aspen (5 miles southwest, approximately 10 minutes driving)

Nearby supplies

The closest supplies can be found in the town of Aspen, Colorado, 5 miles away. This includes grocery stores, fuel stations, and camping supplies.

Best Time to Camp at Silver Bar Campground

Perched at 8,460 feet, Silver Bar experiences the dramatic mood swings of mountain weather that make every day an adventure. Summer mornings often dawn crystal clear and perfect for hiking, with temperatures climbing to comfortable highs that invite exploration. By afternoon, theatrical thunderclouds frequently roll across the peaks, delivering brief but spectacular light shows that remind visitors of nature's power. Evening brings a refreshing coolness that makes campfire gatherings all the more inviting. Even in July and August, wise campers pack warm layers—snow has been known to dust the landscape on summer mornings, creating magical if unexpected scenes that transform the wilderness into a wonderland.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak season (May 28–Sep 30); best time for hiking and access, though afternoon storms occur.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Golden aspen groves and crisp mountain air make early fall beautiful; campground open through Sep 30.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Limited spring access—campground opens May 28; conditions can be snowy/variable in late spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Closed in winter; reservations unavailable outside May 28–Sep 30.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 28 - 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.
Current Alerts: A bear visiting the campground has previously led to guest cancellations. Campers are advised to call ahead for updates.

About Silver Bar Campground

Tucked away in the shadow of Colorado's most photographed peaks, Silver Bar Campground offers an intimate escape into the wilderness with just four secluded tent sites. This hidden gem invites adventurers to disconnect from the modern world and immerse themselves in the raw beauty of the Rockies. Each walk-in site comes thoughtfully equipped with everything you need for a memorable stay: sturdy picnic tables for mountain-side meals, bear-proof lockers to safely store your provisions, and stone fire rings where stories come alive under starlit skies. The gentle murmur of Maroon Creek provides nature's soundtrack, while vault toilets ensure basic comfort without compromising the pristine environment.

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.

Historical SignificanceSilver Bar Campground sits within one of America's conservation crown jewels—the Maroon Bells Scenic Area was among the first five Colorado wilderness areas protected under the groundbreaking 1964 Wilderness Act. This designation recognized what Indigenous peoples and early settlers had long known: these lands possess an irreplaceable combination of ecological diversity, scenic grandeur, and spiritual significance. Today's visitors follow in the footsteps of generations who have sought solace, adventure, and connection in these ancient mountains, becoming part of an ongoing story of wilderness preservation and appreciation.

Weather and SeasonsPerched at 8,460 feet, Silver Bar experiences the dramatic mood swings of mountain weather that make every day an adventure. Summer mornings often dawn crystal clear and perfect for hiking, with temperatures climbing to comfortable highs that invite exploration. By afternoon, theatrical thunderclouds frequently roll across the peaks, delivering brief but spectacular light shows that remind visitors of nature's power. Evening brings a refreshing coolness that makes campfire gatherings all the more inviting. Even in July and August, wise campers pack warm layers—snow has been known to dust the landscape on summer mornings, creating magical if unexpected scenes that transform the wilderness into a wonderland.

ElevationLife at 8,460 feet offers both rewards and challenges that define the true mountain experience. The thin air carries a crystalline quality that makes colors more vivid and stars more brilliant, while the elevation naturally slows your pace, encouraging a more mindful connection with the surroundings. First-time high-altitude visitors should plan to take it easy on arrival day, drinking plenty of water and allowing their bodies to adjust to the decreased oxygen. The payoff for this adaptation is access to a world above the clouds, where alpine meadows burst with wildflowers and the air tastes impossibly pure.

Natural Features and ScenerySilver Bar Campground serves as your personal gateway to one of North America's most stunning wilderness areas. The surrounding Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness unfolds like a living postcard, where golden aspen groves shimmer in autumn breezes and ancient spruce-fir forests harbor secrets in their shadowy depths. Maroon Creek dances along the campground's eastern boundary, its crystalline waters originating from high-altitude snowfields and providing both a soothing ambiance and critical habitat for native trout. Wildflower enthusiasts will discover nature's palette splashed across meadows in summer, while wildlife watchers might spot majestic bighorn sheep navigating impossible cliffs, playful pikas chirping warnings from rocky outcrops, or the well-camouflaged ptarmigan that call these heights home.

Geological RegionNestled within the heart of the Colorado Rockies, Silver Bar Campground occupies a front-row seat to geological drama millions of years in the making. The iconic Maroon Bells—those twin pyramids of layered red sandstone and mudstone—tower above the campground, their distinctive coloration telling the story of ancient seas and tectonic upheaval. Glacial forces carved the surrounding valleys into their current U-shaped profiles, leaving behind moraines, cirques, and hanging valleys that create the area's dramatic topography. This landscape represents a textbook example of Rocky Mountain geology, where visitors can literally read Earth's history in the stratified cliff faces while exploring a terrain that transitions from montane forests through subalpine meadows to the harsh beauty of the alpine tundra above treeline.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in is allowed starting at 11:00 AM.

Check-out

Check-out is required by 11:00 AM.

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

Site layoutThe campground features four tent-only, walk-in sites spaced moderately apart. Vault toilets, bear lockers, and campfire rings are centrally located.

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

Walk-in AvailabilityNo walk-up availability is indicated. All sites must be reserved in advance.

Cancellation PolicyReservations can be canceled any time before the scheduled arrival date. A $10 cancellation fee applies, along with forfeiture of the first night's use fee for late cancellations starting midnight 1 calendar day before check-in. Changes in dates are subject to a $10 change fee.

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.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

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.

HikingSilver Bar Campground provides quick access to several hiking trails, including the Deadly Bells Trailhead at Maroon Lake and the Maroon Creek Trail. These trails range from gentle and flat terrain suitable for day hikers to challenging alpine routes that lead to high mountain lakes and wildflower meadows.

FishingProperly licensed anglers can fish in Maroon Creek, which flows along the eastern edge of the campground. No specific details about the types of fish or fishing quality were provided.

Wildlife viewingThe area surrounding the campground is home to diverse wildlife, including bighorn sheep, pika, and ptarmigan. The alpine landscapes and lush forest habitats provide excellent opportunities for observing these species.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife, including bears, poses a potential hazard. Proper food storage is mandatory. Weather-related hazards include sudden snowstorms and thunderstorms.

Active AlertsA bear visiting the campground has previously led to guest cancellations. Campers are advised to call ahead for updates.

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.

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

Fire PolicyCampfires are permitted in designated rings only. Firewood must be local to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are not explicitly stated in the materials.

Emergency ServicesThe nearest emergency services are located in Aspen, Colorado. Aspen Valley Hospital provides medical care and is approximately 5 miles from the campground.

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.'

Water FeaturesThe campground is located adjacent to Maroon Creek, providing soothing sounds and a scenic backdrop.

Camp HostHost information is not provided.

Weather at Silver Bar Campground

Reviews

4.9

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

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

Site-Specific Reviews

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

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