Dearhamer Campground
Located approximately 22 miles east of Basalt, Colorado, in the White River National Forest, Dearhamer Campground sits adjacent to the Fryingpan River above Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7,800 feet.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 52 | Gravel | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 002 | Back-in | 69 | Gravel | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 003 | Back-in | 49 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
| 004 | Back-in | 36 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 005 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
| 007 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 008 | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 009 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 010 | Back-in | 42 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 011 | Back-in | 47 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
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.
The site records list sites up to 69 ft. The campground description says a 35 ft maximum.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 69 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Dearhamer Campground has 13 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. There is a maximum length of 35 feet for RVs. The sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Guests also have access to vault toilets and a drinking water hydrant, but electrical hook-ups are not available.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | White River National Forest |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Basalt, travel east on Frying Pan River Road for approximately 20 miles, just past Ruedi Reservoir to Dearhamer Campground.
| Nearest town | Carbondale, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.3609° N, 106.7387° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireWillow
18 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Ute Mountaineer ↗ | 12.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 21.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Dearhamer campground Ruedi Reserviour
Worth a stop
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 are a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunities in this resort mountain town.
- 2.4 mi
- 4 miRuedi Marina Boat Ramp ↗Boat launch
- 10.4 miYeoman Park Discovery Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miMiller ↗6.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
- 3.3 miMontgomery Flats0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.3 miMontgomery Flats Tie2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.1 miNorrie Powerline3.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.3 miArbaney-Kittle ↗14 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.3 miRuedi Overlook ↗6.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
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
This campground sits inside White River National Forest.
- inWhite River National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,482,711 acres
- 5.5 miHunter-Fryingpan Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 82,496 acres
- 5.6 miHoly Cross Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 122,453 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
On the National Register nearby
- Upper Brush Creek SchoolBuilding · Eagle · 12.3 mi
- Newberry HouseBuilding · Aspen · 12.3 mi
- Shilling–Lamb HouseBuilding · Aspen · 12.3 mi
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.
Recreation
Renowned for its fly fishing, Fryingpan River flows below Ruedi Dam. Here, large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout are plentiful in an area nicknamed the "toilet bowl." The fish feed on Mysis shrimp, a small freshwater shrimp stocked in the lake. The stretch of river from the dam down to the confluence of Fryingpan and the Roaring Fork River has been designated as Gold Medal Waters by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. Special regulations in this area include fishing only with artificial flies and lures, and releasing all trout except brown trout, with a limit of 2 fish over 14 inches. For hikers and bikers, the Ruedi Trail, located north of the reservoir, climbs to the top of Red Table Mountain. The trailhead is located 200 feet north of the Jeep trail near the boat ramp and parking lot. This 8-mile trail gains over 3,000 feet in elevation, leading hikers to a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Boating, swimming, and water skiing are all possible in the area.
Guidebooks for Colorado
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Dearhamer Campground?
Sites at Dearhamer Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Dearhamer Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Dearhamer Campground have?
13 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Dearhamer Campground?
The longest site here provides 69 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Dearhamer Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Dearhamer Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Dearhamer Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Dearhamer Campground?
Renowned for its fly fishing, Fryingpan River flows below Ruedi Dam. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Dearhamer Campground?
Carbondale, Colorado. The nearby town of Aspen is a popular destination for visitors to the area.
Source: Getting there
What if Dearhamer Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Little Mattie Campground (3.8 mi), Ruedi Marina Campground (4.1 mi), and Mollie B_White River (4.2 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby