Difficult Campground

Loved this campground nestled on CO 82 just east of Aspen. Maroon Bells, Independence Pass and other beautiful areas located a short distance away. Attentive hosts who did a great job here. We were on site 33.

This campground is full most of the time for a reason, just 4 miles east of Aspen, with easy access to trails, fishing spots and right at the start of Independence Pass. The campsite was clean, as were the restrooms. There is drinking water available too. The camp hosts obviously take great pride in keeping this CG in the best condition they can.

Stayed just after Labor Day 2022:
Campground was so clean, beautifully maintained. Spots are a great size, feels very private and safe! Didn’t even see the other campers near by! The provided bear boxes are large in size and conveniently located. A short walk from any site to get to the river, we could hear it flowing all night- was sooo peaceful and the views were immaculate!!

Thank you for being so accommodating.
We planned a wedding date around our group campsite reservation at Difficult Campground. The plan was for the wedding party and friends to camp there, which was perfect because the group likes to camp and they couldn't afford lodging in Aspen.
Later, we received a notification that the campsite would be closed due to a paving project. That left us in a pickle, so I emailed two supervisors to see if there could be some wriggle room. We were thrilled when we heard back from Shelly Grail Braudis. She stated that the paving project dates would be moved back to accommodate our plans.
In addition, someone followed up with a phone call the week before the reservation to confirm.
It all worked out and we are so grateful.

We had a wonderful experience at this campground! We were at site #8 which was secluded with lush, green Aspens and a small creek. Even with every campsite filled, the grounds were quiet. There are trails all around the campsite, and downtown Aspen is only 10 minutes away. More than one car CAN be parked at the site; however, it’s $7 per night for each additional car. There is also a free parking lot nearby the group campsite. The hosts were very friendly and welcoming - we enjoyed talking to them. There have been quite a few bear incidents, so it’s really important that you lock up or throw away trash and food. Bathrooms have a lot of flies, but they are clean regardless.

Great campsite. Very clean restrooms. Campsite (Site 23)with plenty of Aspen trees. Many trails near campsite. Only 4 miles from downtown Aspen. Plan to go back in the fall👍

Wonderful campground and always clean! Current host was a bit rude to me because I grabbed firewood before being the money from the campsite (which I did two minutes later!) and insinuated I was taking it. The host last year was super friendly and generous when we stayed across from him though!
Great river and hike next to campground!

Ok it’s a campground, but it’s right next to Aspen. Clean, lots of water on taps, quiet location.

What an amazing place. 10 minutes from Aspen with huge and private spots, several options for where to pitch the tent and extremely clean pit toilets. The hosts were also extremely friendly as well.

Would love to stay in the group sites, which are right on the river. Make sure to put all your items in the bear lockers!

Campground was only 5 miles from Aspen , beautiful, quiet, water and the most cleanest vault toilets I have ever seen !!! 10 starts

No cell signal, just an fyi. Lots of distance between tent sites! The sound of the river at site 27 was really nice to fall asleep to. The fire pit was good and had a lot of space before the trees. Close proximity to toilets. There was a deer walking through our site when we arrived, just in case we needed a reminder we we're in a great spot. Really good firewood. Proximity to independence pass and Aspen we're both really convenient

Great location. Only 8 miles from Aspen. Fresh water tank fill up is available. It's totally unplugged camping and no dump site. Each camp site is very secluded from other sites. Camp host is friendly and helpful. It fills every night, so make reservations.

Quiet spot outside of Aspen. Easy check-in when we arrived at our spot. The bathrooms were the cleanest vault toilets I've ever seen! Cleaned twice a day. Great spot for our overnight car camp.

An awesome campsite with beautiful scenic views every way you turn. Spent nearly a week there and couldn’t have asked for a more pleasing experience. The campsite was clean, bathrooms where extremely well maintained, and the campground hosts where very informational and kind! With a trail(12.5miles) for cycling or walking, that leads straight into Aspen for easy convenience for any type of shopping need necessary! Which I also must add the people of Aspen where very friendly, kind, and informational. Won’t be back soon enough!!! Would recommend anyone to experience the difficult campground at least once!! 😁

Camp hosts were very friendly and helped me find an available tent site for the night on labor day weekend. I had just climbed longs peak and hit my head and sprained my foot pretty badly so I am very grateful for their hospitality. The campground itself is very clean and quiet and beautiful. Thanks

Great campground with beautiful Aspen trees. Very close to the town of Aspen too. Bathrooms were very clean. One negative was our site only had one good tent spot and you could only have one vehicle and had to pay $6 each night for each extra vehicle.

Great place we had by the creek. Lots of shade. Nice camp host who helped is learn that our Golden Age Pass was good for a free drive to Marron Bells after five pm.( It also is good for early morning trips). We got to see a Moose at Maroon bells the night we staid at the camp! There are moose and bears close to the camp also but we did not see any right there. Clean bathrooms. Dog on leash welcomed.

Very beautiful campground in the middle of the woods and some 10 minutes by car away from Aspen Center. When we left in the morning around 9AM, we saw a bear walking on the side of the road.

Wonderful campsite that is close to Aspen and a short drive to some great hikes. We stayed at site #43 which was the perfect location. You can hear the river, you are close to water and to the (well-kept) bathroom. Each site had a picnic table, a (spacious) bear box, and a fire pit with a grate. Would camp here again.

Difficult Campground is a great location 3 mi from Aspen and close to the hike, bike, paddle preserve. Campground site 11 beside the creek was perfect. We sat on log and rested our feet in the creek after hiking Maroon bells. Difficult c.g. is an easy bike ride into Aspen which is preferable because car traffic is crazy.