Dearhamer Campground

White River National Forest — lakeside, hiking

Location: CARBONDALE, CO, CO

Price: From $29 per night

Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (71 reviews)

Season: May through October

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.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.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Boat Launch

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/dearhamer-campground to be notified when sites open up.

Dearhamer is renowned for world-class fly fishing on the Fryingpan River, with large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout plentiful in this stretch. Campers consistently report excellent fishing access, clean facilities, and a quiet setting with direct access to the river inlet and Ruedi Reservoir.

Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Mule Deer, Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, and Red Fox documented in the area — store food properly and remain alert.

Insider tips for Dearhamer Campground: Book early — this is a popular federal campground with only 12 sites and high demand. Request center sites with shade or perimeter sites for privacy; some center sites are exposed. Bring a self-contained RV or expect vault toilets only; no hookups available at most sites.

Skip Dearhamer Campground if: You need RV hookups — electric hookups listed but noted as unavailable at most sites.. You prefer full amenities — vault toilets and no-flush facilities only.. You visit outside May-October — seasonal operations only..

Best time to visit Dearhamer Campground: May-October — Official operating season; peak fishing season typically summer months when water conditions are optimal for Fryingpan River trout..

Nearby campgrounds: Little Mattie Campground (Carbondale, CO), Ruedi Marina Campground (CARBONDALE , CO), Chapman Campground And Group (Carbondale, CO), Yeoman Campground (Eagle, CO).