Aspen Campground
Aspen Campground is 4 miles north of Jefferson off County Road 35 and County Road 37. It is an excellent place for campers looking to relax, hike, fish and enjoy the sounds of nature. The campground sits near Jefferson Creek, a few miles downriver of Jefferson Lake. The lake is one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000-foot peaks. Visit historic Fairplay, Colorado, a ghost town that was once a frontier boom town. The South Park City Museum contains 34 authentic buildings with 60,000 artifacts.
Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. The campground is also very near access to the Colorado Trail.
Natural features: Aspen Campground, at a 9,900-foot elevation, sits in a valley along Jefferson Creek at the base of Jefferson Hill. The single-loop campground is shaded by groves of aspen and mature spruce. Jefferson Lake, spanning about 182 acres, has deep, cold waters and freezes over in winter.
Recreation: The campground offers nearby access to two trails. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are excellent on the Colorado Trail, a 471-mile trail that stretches across Colorado from Denver to Durango. You may also access the West Jefferson Loop Trail, a foot path that goes up to the Continental Divide and loop for 11 miles.
Rainbow, brown, mackinaw and brook trout can be found swimming in the creek and lake. No wake boating is allowed in the lake, and a boat ramp is easily accessible.
It is difficult to access Jefferson Lake Recreation Area during the winter months. The roads to this site are not maintained for snow throughout the winter.
Reservations
Make Reservations HereCall 877-444-6777 or visit recreation.gov at least four days in advance. A minimum stay on Friday and Saturday night is required on weekends. A three-night minimum stay is required on holiday weekends. Walk-ups are exempt from the nightly minimum.
General Information
Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating.
This is a high elevation facility; please use caution when traveling from lower elevations.
No recreational vehicle (RV) hookups are available.
Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on site. For more information, visit the Don't Move Firewood website.
Mid-May to mid-October
Jefferson Lake Recreation area typically operates between mid May and mid October weather permitting. During operating season, the gate to the recreation area is open 24 hours.
The Interagency Senior Pass and the Interagency Access Pass qualify for a 50% discount at concessionaire run campsites. The discount only applies to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass owner, not to any additional campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass owner's party.
The following restrictions apply to this campground:
- Campfires are restricted to fire rings only. Be sure campfire is completely extinguished before leaving.
- A maximum of eight people, two tents and two vehicles or one RV is allowed per site.
- Facility roads are not paved.
- No more than a 14-night consecutive stay is permitted in the campground.
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- No discharge of firearms or fireworks is permitted.
- Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.
$24 fee per site for overnight camping. Two vehicles or one RV per site is included in the camping fee. $11 fee for a third vehicle.
$11 fee for day use if not camping overnight.
Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. A self-service fee tube is available for on-site payment. First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the same night.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Contact Name: South Park Ranger District
Contact Phone: 719-836-2031
Address: 320 Highway 285 Fairplay, CO 80440
Phone: 719-836-2031
Hours: Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 39.42568535
Longitude: -105.8422398
Elevation
9,900 feet
Directions
From Fairplay, Colorado, travel U.S. Highway 285 north to Jefferson, then turn left on County Road 35. Travel approximately 2 miles and turn right on County Road 37. Travel approximately 2.5 miles to the Aspen Campground.
Parking
Parking for two vehicles or one RV is allowed at each site.
Parking aprons are gravel and can fit up to two vehicles with a maximum trailer length of 25 feet.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
A hand pump is available.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
A picnic table, fire ring or grate and a pedestal grill are at each site.