Chapman Campground and Group (CO)

Show on map 970-927-0107 help.whiteriver.sopris@americanll.com

Aspen Sopris Ranger District PO Box 309
Carbondale, CO 81623

Overview

Situated above the Ruedi Reservoir, Chapman Campground sits at the base of a wide valley adjacent to the Fryingpan River in White River National Forest.

Sites are surrounded by lodgepole pine, and several are at the river's edge, offering an ideal setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation.

Recreation

Flowing through this campground is Fryingpan River, renowned for its fly fishing. Downriver, below the campground and Ruedi Dam, large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout are plentiful in an area nicknamed the "toilet bowl." Here, 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.

Chapman Reservoir is also an option for anglers wanting to cast lines in at its shore. Motorized watercraft is prohibited on Chapman Reservoir.

A horseshoe pit and volleyball court encourage game playing. A nature trail can be accessed from the site.

Facilities

Chapman Campground has 84 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water located in Loops F, G & H. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Trash and recycling collection is provided.

Chapman Group Site has one site available for reservation. There is no electric hook-up but potable water is available withing the campground at the fill station spigots. The Group Site facilities include: hardened parking for campers and passenger vehicles along the access road into the site. The site has 6 regular fire rings and 1 group size rock fire ring, 1 pedestal grill, 5 food lockers, 7 picnic tables, and a horseshoe pit.

Vehicles must stay on the main road or pull outs. Vehicles are not allowed to travel into the woods. All camping in the woods must be hand carried.

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.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.

Charges & Cancellations

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

Camp site features

Across 76 camp sites:

Fire pit: all 76 sites
Picnic table: all 76 sites
Pets allowed: all 76 sites
Group sites: 1 of 76 sites
Longest RV: 99 ft
Largest party: 60 people

Directions

Take I-70 west of Denver to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Take exit 116 (Highway 82) south to Basalt. At Basalt, take Frying Pan Road. Go 29 miles to Chapman Campground.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

365 reviews

5 stars

299

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Nancy R

Loop:E

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The lake was awful due to no water running through it. A pipe needs to be laid between the river upstream and the lake. It’s such a beautiful place we hate to see it like it was.

Dale D

Loop:H

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Colorado. The setting is beautiful, the trees are full and the aspen were just starting to change. We especially love this campground because the spaces are far enough apart to have a feeling of a true wilderness experience. The Camp Hosts were amazing! They were very friendly and helpful, and answered any question we had. I hope they are able to return for another season from their home in the "upper UP".

Sheryl R

Loop:F

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

It's beautiful and peaceful area. The bathroom vaults are very clean and odor free. I just wished the site we were in the picnic table and bear box were placed more inline with our site. They were more in the back of the trailer which made it inconvenience to use. But overall a great place to camp.

Debra H

Loop:G

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Chapman Reservoir Campground is located in the White River National Forest, about an hour drive from Basalt. There are great campsites near the reservoir (kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding), more secluded sites away from the reservoir, and some along the Frying Pan River. There is also a marked nature trail, that is about a 45 minute hike. Descriptive trail maps are available at the trailhead. If you are up for a small hike, I highly recommend. We camped midweek for three nights before Labor Day weekend, and there were only a few campsites occupied. Nighttime lows were around 37 degrees. (Labor Day weekend all loops were booked solid) Unfortunately, we could not have a campfire because of fire restrictions (but campfires were allowed the day we left & over the Labor Day weekend) There were two sets of camp hosts and both were exceptional. Our campsite was beautifully hand raked when we arrived. The camp hosts were friendly and informative. There was bear activity in the area one night & the camp hosts visited every occupied campsite to inform campers & ensure campsites were food free. Bathrooms were immaculate. The dump site near Rudei Reservoir remains closed. And the campground closed the day after Labor Day for maintenance to Chapman Dam.

Wade H

Loop:G

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The campground is wonderful.

Amy H

Loop:E

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

We’ve camped here every summer for a number of years. Well maintained campground with a reservoir that is big enough to paddleboard or kayak but small enough to feel safe for kids. Toilets are always very clean. It is a beautiful area and nice to have no cell service for a few days. This year we even saw a moose at the lake!

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve