$33
Difficult
Total sites: 47
Available Tonight: 0
Available this Weekend: 0
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Tonight: 0
Available this Weekend: 0
Booking Window: 6 months
8,184 ft
70°F
45°F
45°F
no signal
White River National Forest › Aspen Ranger District › Colorado
› Pitkin County
› Aspen
› Difficult Campground
Difficult Campground, CO - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
Difficult Campground is located in the Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest (3 hrs 7 min west of Lakewood, CO) with an elevation of 8,184 feet. There are a total of 47 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 64 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $108.00. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (271)
4.6 out of 5
| 5 star | 72% | |
| 4 star | 13% | |
| 3 star | 6% | |
| 2 star | 4% | |
| 1 star | 1% |
@BHAF3E63D60E46 · Camped on Aug 18, 2025 at Campsite #44
Lauren was fabulously helpful and friendly!
@BrittanyB75966 · Camped on Aug 15, 2025 at Campsite #35
We loved this campground. Our site #35 had a short path right to the river. You could hear it all night, we got the BEST sleep. This site was plenty big compared to the others. We will be back!
@SteveB4787856 · Camped on Aug 7, 2025 at Campsite #3
Amazing camp host, Awesome campground
@RaquelH8683AD6 · Camped on Aug 7, 2025 at Campsite #17
The best thing about this campground is its proximity to Aspen. The campground itself is not in very good condition. The sites are not level and are very lumpy. There is very little gravel and there are weeds growing on the ground in the sites. It isnt the campground hosts, they are doing a great job and the bathrooms are clean. The campground was just in surprisingly bad shape compared to others weve stayed in.
@MelanieC53E32D · Camped on Aug 4, 2025 at Campsite #9
Don't expect to find showers, groceries or anything affordable in town! So come prepared to hunker down. You will want a site with shade, as summer months are hot. Spotted Moose, along with signs of bear activity. Great jumping spot for the Maroon Bells shuttle. Highway 82 is a beautiful drive. Nice community walking path along the highway that you can pickup near the entrance to the campground. If you walk toward town on the path, there is a beautiful boardwalk great for spotting wildlife.
@MikeC4022067 · Camped on Aug 3, 2025 at Campsite #25
Great private spot for tent camping with fire pitsand picnic tables at each camp site. Wood can be purchased at the market in Aspen Colorado just up the road about 10 miles.
@CourtneyV00874 · Camped on Jul 29, 2025 at Campsite #47
HEAVY BEAR MOVEMENT. Our first night we stayed in #47, great spot a little narrow, might be a little challenging backing in a camper but we have a rooftop tent so it was a nice size for our set up. lots of tree coverage so slightly obstructed view, surrounded by berry bushes. A bear actually wandered right into our camp while we were sitting around playing cards. AMAZING! Our second night we stayed in #29, much wider space, more open with great views, still had decent coverage from the afternoon sun. Whole campsite was very well maintained, the paved roads were nice, the bathrooms were clean and somehow smelled nice which is weird for a vault toilet. Its not far from town, quick little drive, or there is a gravel path along the road to walk or bike. Camp hosts are very warm and welcoming, always making rounds on their golf carts and checking on things. Personally have zero desire to visit Aspen again, but if we do, we will definitely be staying at this campground again!
@WendyP3855726 · Camped on Jul 29, 2025 at Campsite #45
We are not from Colorado so the check in is different from Texas. In Texas we check in with the ranger but I guess in CO there is a camp host and no check in is needed. She was quite unhelpful as we were trying to get the lay of the camp ground. The signs for water are not clearly labeled as potable water. Bring cash or a check for firewood and do not expect much guidance from the camp host. We discovered the trail head to Difficult Trail- there are not trail maps available and we did not have cell service. The area is beautiful and the trail was great and easy access to independence pass with more trails. We had a great time, just needed to figure things out since its different from Texas and the website through recreation.gov does not provide these details either. Oh! Bring sanitizer, wipes or soap for the bathroom- there are no sinks, just a port-a-potty structure.We would recommend and would come back, Judy hoping these tips will help someone else!
@Christina67D58 · Camped on Jul 23, 2025 at Campsite #3
Many nice private camp spots, great hosts and close to Aspen!
@ChristinaB5D57 · Camped on Jul 23, 2025 at Campsite #3
Many nice private camp spots, great hosts and close to Aspen!
@ErinND107F60A8 · Camped on Jul 22, 2025 at Campsite #36
Great campground close to Aspen. Saw lots of wildlife and very private sites. Very attentive host.
@MelissaM982934 · Camped on Jul 21, 2025 at Campsite #25
We particularly noticed howClean and kept up the rest rooms were. The camp host was very professional and seemed on top of things. Only recommendation would be that it would be nice to know a little more about the campsites: eg:; which ones are best for tents versus campers, since they are allDifferent.
@KennethL604255 · Camped on Jul 20, 2025 at Campsite #29
We were able to watch a moose and her two babies feed near the access road to the campground. It was one of the highlights of our trip to Colorado.
@CarolNAEA9E396 · Camped on Jul 16, 2025 at Campsite #18
Beautiful campsites, clean vault toilets, quiet
@AnnH4487288 · Camped on Jul 13, 2025 at Campsite #3
Beautiful campground just outside Aspen. Sites are tucked in amongst aspen trees and shrubs providing privacy. Toilets were clean, camp hosts were friendly and helpful, excellent location in a beautiful part of the country. Highly recommended.
@JanisC5D3B5EDE · Camped on Jul 13, 2025 at Campsite #43
I loved how there is si much space. There are tall trees that shade the car and tents during the day, wich is wonderful to tame the summer heat. I did have to add shade to the bear box because it does get a lot of direct sun. I didn't wa t the ice of my cooler to melt too fast. Is something you can use to plan ahead if you are staying is the site 43. Camping hosts were amazingly helpful and kind.
@KarenD6822172 · Camped on Jul 12, 2025 at Campsite #18
Mooi gelegen camping met zeer behulpzame host
@PaulG9606243 · Camped on Jul 8, 2025 at Campsite #12
Awesome and very clean campground and beautiful place to stay.
@NormanB8455706 · Camped on Jul 6, 2025 at Campsite #21
Wonderful campground. Very well maintained, clean, and pleasant.
@McKennaS481408 · Camped on Jul 5, 2025 at Campsite #39
Always love staying at difficult. Clean bathroom, fresh water, great aspen groves, and great proximity to town.
@Charlotte7B2A6 · Camped on Jul 2, 2025 at Campsite #40
Lovely and well maintained, campground. It was quiet and felt very private. The camp host was excellent.
@SusanR8932053 · Camped on Jul 1, 2025 at Campsite #22
Easy to make reservations. Plenty of good camping sites. Host was clearly visible and available. Lots of good hiking and activities to do in nearby Aspen and Snowmass.
@MeganM1621244 · Camped on Jul 1, 2025 at Campsite #9
We had a great stay at Difficult Campground! The location is idealjust a 10-minute drive to downtown Aspen, but it feels worlds away, tucked in the woods and surrounded by nature. Theres a peaceful little hiking trail that runs along the river nearby, which was a perfect bonus.The campground itself is very clean and well-maintained. Theres a water faucet every few sites, and the bathrooms were spotless during our stay. Firewood was available for purchase on-site, which made things super convenient.We loved the layout of the campsitesmost felt private, with a nice mix of sun and shade depending on the site. Some offer more tree cover, so its worth looking at the map ahead of time if that matters to you. Each site also had a bear-proof storage container, which gave us peace of mind.Overall, a fantastic basecamp for exploring Aspen or just soaking in some quiet time in the mountains. Wed definitely stay again!
@RobertF6718628 · Camped on Jun 29, 2025 at Campsite #9
The campground is beautiful and has a great location for easy access to Aspen and Independence Pass. The outhouses were clean. Our campsite was over taken by thistles. They were all around campsite and covered the tent pad. Access to the bear proof container was also blocked by these. All they lined the roads throughout the campsite. This campground could use some maintenance to remove weeds.
@PaulH7895659 · Camped on Jun 28, 2025 at Campsite #38
The campground is fabulous. Nearly every site is secluded by trees and vegetation, with excellent pads for vehicles and tents. The bathrooms are clean. My only complaint is that the hosts were a bit overbearing with the rules and regulations. We heard that several campers were fined upwards of $150 without a warning for having a cooler outside their vehicle (or bear box) while away from the campsite. Additionally, the campground was entirely banning tents for a while due to "bear activity," which nearly caused use to cancel our trip (we do not have an RV). When we asked the host about it, she explained that the bears had learned to seek food in tents. I asked why the problematic bear(s) hadn't been captured and relocated, and she said "we're on their turf." This is such an ignorant perspective; bears that have become habituated to humans need to be removed and relocated to their natural habitat, for the safety of both humans AND the bears. So, in general, we got the impression of over-regulation and misguided theories from this campground. Otherwise, this is a fantastic site, and I'd still come back! Hopefully they figure out the bear thing in the meantime.
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