Silver Queen Campground

Show on map (970)963-2266 sm.fs.r2whiteriver@usda.gov

Aspen Sopris Ranger District PO Box 309
Carbondale, CO 81623

Overview

Located just outside Aspen, Colorado, Silver Queen Campground is hemmed in by aspen groves, a short walk from Maroon Creek, with views of 14,018 foot Pyramid Peak.

The campground sits at an elevation of 8,460 feet, allowing guests to experience warm summer days and cool evenings with probable afternoon thunderstorms. Come prepared for changing weather conditions. Snow is possible even at the peak of summer.

Recreation

For hikers and backpackers, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area epitomizes the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Starting from the Deadly Bells Trailhead at Maroon Lake, the West Maroon Trail gains elevation through aspen groves and evergreens, traverses boulder fields, crosses streams, and leads hikers through high-elevation (10,000+ feet) mountain passes. Climbing through alpine terrain, backpackers will find high mountain lakes and a smattering of wildflowers in mid-summer. Check specific regulations for camping in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.

For day hikers and horseback riders, nearby Maroon Creek Trail offers a less crowded alternative to viewing the Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak and the entire Maroon valley. The gentle, flat terrain offers scenic stops that are great for picnicking.

Facilities

Silver Queen Campground has five campsites available for advanced reservation which are able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Sites are equipped with picnic tables, vault toilets, food storage lockers (bear boxes), campfire rings and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available. Horses are not allowed in the campground.

Natural Features

The Maroon Bells Scenic Area is surrounded by the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. This wilderness is one of the five original Colorado wilderness areas designated by the 1964 Wilderness Act. Its scenic value exudes from its aspen groves, meadows of wildflowers, and dark forests of spruce and fir that rise up from the valleys to alpine landscapes. Here, bighorn sheep, pika, and ptarmigan find habitat above timberline.

Towering over glacial valleys at over 14,000 feet in elevation, the Maroon Bells are the most recognizable peaks in the Elk Mountains. The Maroon Bells are unique in the Rockies in that they are made up of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that gives the peaks their maroon color and unstable nature for climbing.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (970) 945-2521.

Nearby Attractions

The nearby resort town of Aspen is a popular destination for visitors to the area. From downhill skiing and world-class fly fishing, to dining and resorts, there is a multitude of outdoor and indoor opportunities in this mountain town.

Camp site features

Across 5 camp sites:

Pets allowed: 1 of 5 sites
Longest RV: 30 ft
Largest party: 8 people

Directions

Coming to Aspen via Independence Pass: Take Highway 82 West from downtown Aspen, 1 mile to the roundabout (rotary). From the roundabout, take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station. Continue past the Welcome Station 1.5 miles. Silver Queen Campground is on the left hand side. Silver Queen Campground is approximately 6.5 miles from Highway 82 at the roundabout. Coming to Aspen via Glenwood Springs: Take Highway 82 for 40 miles to the roundabout (rotary). From the roundabout, take Maroon Creek Road 4.7 miles to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station. Continue past the Welcome Station 1.5 miles. Silver Queen Campground is on the left hand side. Silver Queen Campground is approximately 6.5 miles from Highway 82 at the roundabout.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

72 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

John W

Loop:Silv

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

I applied for a refund for our camping spot because we could we were not allowed in the campground due to a mudslide., We were denied the refund for some unknown reason.

Lillian H

Loop:Silv

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Beautiful beautiful campground! Great access to the creek below the site, and really nice access to the Bells. Staff were super kind and helpful as well!

Ryan L

Loop:Silver Queen

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Well worth a stay if you can get a spot in this small campground. Some sites have easy access to the creek too, which is nice way to spend the rest if your day after one of the nearby hikes.

rebeca c

Loop:Silv

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The ranger was very informative and provided info to our questions

Karen B

Loop:Silv

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

We stayed in #5 in late August. Very quiet and clean. We’ve stayed in #2 the previous year and preferred #5.

Marie M

Loop:Silv

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Site #1 is down a bit of a slope from the road, and the site itself is not very level. Despite the recreation.gov description, the site is not well suited to a 30‑ft RV. It’s a bit of a challenge for a large front‑wheel‑drive RV or van to get in and out of the site even in dry conditions, so if it’s rainy and muddy, good luck. The site works reasonably well for a high‑clearance van, a truck camper, or for tent camping. It also has access to the stream that runs behind the campground, but reaching it requires climbing down a few feet via a fairly steep, rocky slope. The campground overall has a run‑down feel, with a few large potholes in the road, which seems as if it hasn’t been resurfaced at any point in the 21st century. Also note that the campground is a bit more than 3 miles from the Maroon Bells hiking area, and the only way to walk from the campground to Maroon Bells is via the road. There isn’t a trail, and the shuttle bus doesn’t stop near the campground. Be prepared to drive to the parking area—which was always crowded when we were there in early August (even at 6:00 AM)—or walk down the road, which has no shoulder and is busy with cars and bicycles. Finally, note that your camping fee does not cover entrance into the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area. Entry is an additional $10 if you pay in cash or $12 if you pay by credit card, so a 20% fee for using a credit card, which seems a bit steep. This was our second time camping in Aspen, and both times we were disappointed with the entire experience, so we won’t be giving it a third chance. We’ll leave it to the Instagram‑posing crowd.

Availability

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

Reserve