South Fork
South Fork Campground in the White River National Forest offers a scenic camping experience along the South Fork of the White River. Approximately 7,600 ft nestled in the South Fork Valley. Offers 18 sites suitable for tents, trailers, RVs, and equestrian rigs. The campground has well maintained gravel roads and parking spurs, with cement pads at individual campsites. Vault toilets and trash services are available. There is no potable water or hookups. Sites have picnic tables and fire-rings. It's a popular spot for tubing and swimming in the river. There is also excellent fly-fishing access along the South Fork of the White River right beside the campground.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · tent only in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
Site guide
18 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 2 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 8 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | White River National Forest |
| Rules | Wilderness regulations apply in Flat Tops Wilderness. Visitors to Spring Cave must follow decontamination procedures, register and obtain a caving permit in advance of their trip. |
Weather by month
Getting there
The South Fork Campground is located 29 miles east of Meeker, CO. From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right (east) on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow this for 18 miles. Turn south and Rio Blanco County Road 10 for 2 miles, jog north.25 miles, then continue east for 10 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 39.8670° N, 107.5341° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Gearhead Outfitters ↗ | 24.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Located adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness, the area around South Fork Campground is crisscrossed with numerous trails suitable for various skill levels. Trail Access: South Fork Trail #1827, Spring Cave Trail #1834, Cliff Lake Trail #1831, Fowler Bench Trail #2253, Fowler Creek Trail #2254, Hill Creek Trail #2255. Peltier Lake Trail #1826, Oyster Lake Trail #1825 Spring Cave is a short hike from the campground across the river ¾ of a mile open April 15 th through August 15 th. Be sure to check local regulations and complete a cave registration form at a ranger district office prior to entering the cave. Trappers Lake is further up County Road 8 and is a popular spot for fishing and is surrounded by the Flat Tops Mountains.
- 3.8 miMeadow Lake Picnic Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSouth Fork Bridge ↗12.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.2 miSpring Cave0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.4 miBurro Mountain ↗5.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, snowmobile
- 0.5 miCliff Lakes2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.3 miFowler Bench ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.9 miFowler Creek ↗6.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- under 0.1 miSouth Fork Campground & Trailhead ↗White River National Forest
- 0.2 miSouth Fork #1827 ↗White River National Forest
- 0.5 miCliff Lake #1831 ↗White River National Forest
- 1.9 miHill Creek #2255 ↗White River National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Flat Tops Wilderness begins about 4.5 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 4.5 miFlat Tops Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 230,829 acres
- 5 miWhite River National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,482,711 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Natural features
South Fork Campground in White River National Forest is situated amongst spruce, cottonwood, and willow trees, offering shaded campsites alongside the South Fork of the White River. Moose, elk and deer are known to frequent the area. The campground provides access to hiking trails. Spring Cave is close to the campground.
Recreation
The South Fork Campground in White River National Forest offers opportunities for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, with access to the South Fork of the White River and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The campground is situated among cottonwoods and willows, and moose, elk and deer may be seen in the area. Caving in Spring Cave is allowed with a registration permit.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at South Fork?
Sites at South Fork are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at South Fork?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does South Fork have?
18 sites, including 18 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to South Fork?
South Fork is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at South Fork?
Yes, pets are allowed at South Fork. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at South Fork?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Wilderness regulations apply in Flat Tops Wilderness.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at South Fork?
The South Fork Campground in White River National Forest offers opportunities for fishing, hiking, and horseback riding, with access to the South Fork of the White River and the Flat Tops Wilderness. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if South Fork is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Meadow Lake Campground (3.5 mi, first-come), Meadow Ridge Campground (3.8 mi, first-come), and Marvine Campground (11.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby