East Maroon Portal Picnic Site
White River National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Carbondale, CO, CO
Price: From $75 per night
Rating: 4 out of 5 (4 reviews)
Season: May through October
East Maroon Portal Picnic Site is situated next to Maroon Creek, offering spectacular views of towering red stone cliffs, lush wetlands and evergreen forests. The area is an excellent gathering spot for families, group gatherings and parties. The picnic area is available for use by the general public, but can be reserved for private events.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Bear Boxes, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/east-maroon-portal-picnic-site to be notified when sites open up.
East Maroon Portal offers spectacular views of red stone cliffs and Maroon Creek in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Google reviewers praise beautiful countryside with excellent hiking trails and family-friendly amenities.
Wildlife alert: American Pika, Mountain Goat, Long-tailed Weasel, Red Fox, American Beaver, Black-chinned Hummingbird, and Wandering Garter Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for East Maroon Portal Picnic Site: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 2 tent sites Fishing available but Maroon Creek reportedly flows fast during peak season This is the only site available in Maroon Bells Scenic Area for wedding receptions and private events
Skip East Maroon Portal Picnic Site if: You need hookups—no hookups available at sites. You're visiting November through April—seasonal closure. You prefer larger campgrounds—only 2 total sites available.
Best time to visit East Maroon Portal Picnic Site: May-October — Campground seasonal operations run May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Silver Queen Campground (Carbondale, CO), Silver Bell Campground (Carbondale, CO), Silver Bar Campground (Carbondale, CO), Maroon Bells Amphitheatre (Carbondale, CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at East Maroon Portal Picnic Site
Cell signal at East Maroon Portal Picnic Site (Carbondale, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
East Maroon Portal Picnic Site is situated next to Maroon Creek, offering spectacular views of towering red stone cliffs, lush wetlands and evergreen forests. The area is an excellent gathering spot for families, group gatherings and parties. The picnic area is available for use by the general public, but can be reserved for private events.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early as this is a federal campground with only 2 tent sites
Fishing available but Maroon Creek reportedly flows fast during peak season
This is the only site available in Maroon Bells Scenic Area for wedding receptions and private events
Campground seasonal operations run May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Independence Pass, take Highway 82 west from downtown Aspen for a mile to the roundabout. Take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station; East Maroon Portal is 2 miles past the Welcome Station on the left. From Glenwood Springs, take Highway 82 for 40 miles to the roundabout. Take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station; East Maroon Portal is 2 miles past the Welcome Station on the left.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — White River National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at White River National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does East Maroon Portal Picnic Site cost per night?+
What season is East Maroon Portal Picnic Site open?+
Does East Maroon Portal Picnic Site have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at East Maroon Portal Picnic Site?+
How do I make reservations at East Maroon Portal Picnic Site?+
What is the cell service like at East Maroon Portal Picnic Site?+
What season is East Maroon Portal Picnic Site open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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