Can you reserve a site at Difficult Campground?

Yes, Difficult Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Difficult Campground have?

48 sites in total, of which 47 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Difficult Campground?

60 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Difficult Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Difficult Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Difficult Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Difficult Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Difficult Campground, Colorado — 47 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

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.

The facts

47 bookable sites
48 sites in total, including non-bookable
Vehicles up to 60 ft
Up to 30 people per site
Loops: DIFF, GRP

Site types

46 Standard Nonelectric
1 Group Standard Nonelectric
1 Management

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups.

Book on Recreation.gov

48 campsites at Difficult Campground

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	47 ft	10	🐾
002	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
003	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	10	🐾
004	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	46 ft	10	🐾
005	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	52 ft	10	🐾
006	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	60 ft	10	🐾
007	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	38 ft	10	🐾
008	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	46 ft	10	🐾
009	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
010	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	54 ft	10	🐾
011	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	56 ft	10	🐾
012	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	10	🐾
013	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	38 ft	10	🐾
014	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	57 ft	10	🐾
015	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	34 ft	10	🐾
016	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	33 ft	10	🐾
017	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	48 ft	10	🐾
018	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
019	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
020	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	10	🐾
021	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	54 ft	10	🐾
022	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
023	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	10	🐾
024	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	36 ft	10	🐾
025	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
026	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
027	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	10	🐾
028	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	41 ft	10	🐾
029	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
030	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	24 ft	10	🐾
031	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	43 ft	10	🐾
032	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	28 ft	10	🐾
033	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	10	🐾
034	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	27 ft	10	🐾
035	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	39 ft	10	🐾
036	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	37 ft	10	🐾
037	DIFF	Management	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	10	🐾
038	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	39 ft	10	🐾
039	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	37 ft	10	🐾
040	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	10	🐾
041	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	38 ft	10	🐾
042	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	37 ft	10	🐾
043	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	10	🐾
044	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	42 ft	10	🐾
045	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	43 ft	10	🐾
046	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	32 ft	10	🐾
047	DIFF	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	39 ft	10	🐾
001	GRP	Group Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	20 ft	30	🐾

Getting there

665 Difficult Campground Rd. Aspen CO 816511

Take Highway 82 for 5 miles southeast of Aspen, Colorado. Look for USFS
Difficult Campground sign on the right, past Mile Marker 45.

39.14167, -106.77083 · 39°8'30.0"N 106°46'15.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 32°F in Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	32	35	43	50	60	71	76	73	67	55	42	32
Low °F	10	13	20	27	35	42	48	47	40	30	19	10
Precip in	1.9	2.2	2.6	2.7	2.2	1.1	2.0	1.8	1.9	2.1	2.1	2.0

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 4.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Difficult Campground

Can you reserve a site at Difficult Campground?: Yes, Difficult Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Difficult Campground have?: 48 sites in total, of which 47 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Difficult Campground?: 60 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Difficult Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Difficult Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Difficult Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Difficult Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Difficult Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Difficult Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Restrictions:

5 day stay limit
Vehicles over 35' in length are prohibited over Independence Pass but can access the campground via Aspen, CO.
Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails.
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.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Difficult Campground

Silver Bell Campground 6.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Silver Bar Campground 6.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Silver Queen Campground 6.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
East Maroon Portal Picnic Site 7.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Weller Lake #1989 3 mi · Facility
Weller Campground 3.1 mi · Campground
Aspen Mountain Ski Area 3.9 mi · Facility
Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground 4.4 mi · Campground
Lincoln Gulch Campground 4.4 mi · Campground
Sunnyside #1987 6.4 mi · Facility
New York Creek #2182 6.8 mi · Facility
West Maroon #1970 7.2 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 970-927-0107
Email Help.WhiteRiver.Aspen@AmericanLL.com
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-08-08.

Difficult Campground