Chapman Campground And Group

White River National Forest

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.

Chapman Campground has 84 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. A group site is also available.

The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. Electrical hook-ups are not available.

Trash and recycling collection is provided.

Notifications and Alerts

• We are experiencing a water outage for sites in Loops A, B, C, D & E. Water is available in Loops F, G & H

Need to Know

• All food, beverages, trash and scented items must be properly stored when not attended.

• Motorized watercraft is prohibited on Chapman Reservoir
• Additional parking is remote
• Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails
• Gate to the group area must be locked at all times

• In accordance with standard industry practices, there will be an additional vehicle fee per day on the second vehicle in each single family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicles in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered as one vehicle for determining additional vehicle fees. The third and fourth motorcycle would also be considered as one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.

• Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. 

• Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

• Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.

• Click here for more information about White River National Forest

• This facility is located in Pitkin County. Please visit https://covid19.pitkincounty.com / for the current COVID-19 County Public Health Order and information on gatherings and events.

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.

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.

Contact Information

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FRYING PAN RIVER RD BASALT CO 81621

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 970-927-0107

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving 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.

Available Campsites

• Site 023, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 065, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 067, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop E, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 064, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 080, Loop H, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 052, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop E, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 060, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 062, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 018, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop E, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 051, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 078, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 036, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 079, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 068, Loop G, Type Rv Nonelectric
• Site 1, Loop CHAP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop E, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 025, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 055, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 031, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop E, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 081, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 083, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop C, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 061, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 038, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop E, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop G, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop F, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 076, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop D, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 082, Loop H, Type Standard Nonelectric

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