Dearhamer Campground

Located approximately 22 miles east of Basalt, Colorado, in the White River National Forest, Dearhamer Campground sits adjacent to the Fryingpan River above Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7,800 feet. Renowned for its fly fishing, the Fryingpan River flows below Ruedi Dam. Here large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout are plentiful in an area nicknamed the "toilet bowl," where 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 the Fryingpan and the Roaring Fork has been designated Gold Medal Waters by the Colorado Wildlife Commission; special regulations there include fishing only with artificial flies and lures, and releasing all trout except brown trout, with a limit of 2 fish over 14 inches. For hikers and bikers, the Ruedi Trail north of the reservoir climbs to the top of Red Table Mountain — the trailhead is 200 feet north of the Jeep trail near the boat ramp and parking lot, and the 8-mile trail gains over 3,000 feet in elevation, leading to a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Boating, swimming and water skiing are all possible in the area. Dearhamer has 13 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs, with a maximum length of 35 feet for RVs. The sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Guests also have access to vault toilets and a drinking water hydrant, but electrical hook-ups are not available. 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 abounds: bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges, bull elk bugle at dusk, scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout, and alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. The nearby town of Aspen is a popular destination, offering downhill skiing, world-class fly fishing, dining and resorts.