Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground

Closed — Closed for winter due to snow. Lincoln Creek Road is typically accessible from late May through September. Highway 82 closes for winter near Lincoln Creek Road, usually from November through late May.

Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness

This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.

Weed Free Forage Products

The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.

Occupancy and Use Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to protect the public health and safety in the Rocky Mountain Region. This Order is supplemental to and does not rescind or replace those restrictions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A, or any Forest Supervisor Order issued under 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart B.

Cave Closure and Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.

Blanco Ranger District, Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Blanco Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Avalanche Forecast

Always check the avalanche forecast before heading into the backcountry!

Termination of Derby Fire Closure Order

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a), the prohibitions listed in Order Number WRNF-2025-028, applicable to the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District of the White River National Forest for National Forest System Lands within the Derby Fire perimeter, dated September 26, 2025, and signed by Brian Glaspell

Aspen RD Seasonal Area and Trail Closures and Dog Restricitions

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Grizzly Creek Trail Closure

Beginning in May 2024, access to Grizzly Creek Trail will be limited while bridge replacements and other improvements are completed.

Rifle Ranger District, Occupancy and Use

The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Rifle Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Grizzly Creek Canyon Area and Trail Closure

The following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Rifle and Eagle Holy Cross Ranger Districts, White River National Forest:

Eagle - Holy Cross Ranger District, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest

Eagle - Holy Cross Ranger District, Seasonal Trail Closures and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) trails in the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District, White River National Forest

Dillon Ranger District, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Sopris Ranger District, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Carbondale and Glenwood Springs visitor centers are temporarily closed

The Aspen-Sopris Ranger District in Carbondale will be closed for construction until 2025, and the Supervisor's Office visitor center in Glenwood Springs is closed until further notice. Please call (970) 945-2521 for any Aspen-Sopris specific inquiries.

Ruedi Marina Day Use area Dump Station is CLOSED

The septic waste dump station at Ruedi Marina day use area is closed and non-functional. The nearest dump stations are in Silt and Edwards.

Aspen Ranger District, Occupancy and Use

Prohibitions on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Aspen Ranger District

Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following acts are prohibited within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness on the Leadville and Salida Ranger Districts of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands, Gunnison Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, and

Food storage order

May 15 to October 1, annually: Prohibits possessing or storing food - solid or liquid substance that is or may be consumed by any person or animal (including pet and stock food and harvested fish and game but excluding water or hay without additives) - or refuse, including items

Ptarmigan Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on all National Forest Service (NFS) lands and trails within the Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness Area, Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest

Eagles Nest Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, Eagle-Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger Districts, White River National Forest

Flat Tops Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited within the Flat Tops Wilderness on the Blanco, Rifle, and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest, and the Yampa Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, in Eagle, Garfield, and Rio Blanco Counties, State of Colorado:

Camping stay limitations

Camping within the White River National Forest for more than 14-days with in any continuous 30-day period is prohibited; this begins on the first day of occupancy. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(a)

Wildwood Parcel, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands known as the “Wildwood Parcel” in the Aspen- Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Holy Cross Wilderness Prohibitions

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Holy Cross Wilderness in the Eagle-Holy Cross and Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest and the Leadville Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest:

Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of the White River and Gunnison National Forests in the Aspen, Sopris, and Gunnison Ranger Districts, including in specific zones within the Wilderness, described below and shown on the attached maps incorporated into this O

Tenderfoot - Frey Gulch Fire Closure

The following act is prohibited in the Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest, Summit County, State of Colorado

Holy Cross Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails within the Holy Cross Wilderness in the Eagle-Holy Cross and Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest and the Leadville Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest:

El Jebel Administrative Site Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands known as the El Jebel Administrative Parcel in the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest

Sweetwater Lake Area, Occupancy and Use

The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands at Sweetwater Lake and vicinity in the White River National Forest, Garfield County, State of Colorado:

Maroon Bells Scenic Area - Maroon Valley Prohibitions

The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and waters in the Maroon Valley and Maroon Bells Scenic Area:

Eagle - Holy Cross and Dillon Ranger District, Dispersed Camping Restrictions

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the White River National Forest

Holy Cross RD, Group Size Limits

The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands within the White River National Forest described below and shown on the attached maps:

Eagle-Holy Cross RD, Occupancy and Use

The following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the White River National Forest described below and shown on the attached maps:

Eagle-Holy Cross and Dillon RD, Dispersed Camping Restrictions

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) lands in the White River National Forest described below and shown on the attached map:

McCoy Park - Beaver Creek Ski Area, Seasonal Closure

The following act is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands at McCoy Park in Beaver Creek Ski Area in the White River National Forest, Eagle County, State of Colorado:

No camping within 100' of water and trails

No camping within 100' of a body of water (such as a lake, stream, pond, or river) or a National Forest System Trail.

Hunter Fryingpan Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following acts are prohibited within the Hunter-Frying Pan Wilderness on the Aspen-Sopris Ranger Districts of the White River National Forest, in Pitkin County, State of Colorado:

Dillon Ranger District, Designated Dispersed Camping

The following acts are prohibited on certain National Forest System lands within the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colorado

Green Mountain Reservoir, Jump Rock Closure

The following act is prohibited on the National Forest System lands in the Dillon Ranger District of the White River National Forest in Summit County, Colorado

Ski Area prohibitions

ls is prohibited to go into or be upon the Restricted Area when in violation of Colorado Revised Statutes Title33, Article 44, specifically including, but not limited to, Sections 105 and I 09, also known as the ColoradoSki Safety Act of 1979. 36. C.F.R 261.53(e)

No Camping or Fires Along Montezuma Road

The following act is (U.S.C.) § prohibited within the White River National Forest, on the Dillon Ranger District, in Summit County

Hanging Lake Occupancy and Use

The following acts are prohibited on those National Forest Service lands described as the Hanging Lake National Natural Landmark Area and on all trails within the Restricted Area within the Eagle/Holy Cross Range

Bicycle Use

The following acts are prohibited as shown on Exhibit A of this order within the White River National Forest, Colorado:

Raggeds Wilderness, Occupancy and Use

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands within the Raggeds Wilderness of the White River and Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests:

Asbestos safety closure - Camp Hale

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest lands in Sections 3, 4, 9, and 10 in Township 7S and Range 80W (parts of Camp Hale)

No Travel Off Roads and Trails in Parts of Camp Hale

The following acts are prohibited on National Forest lands in Township 7S and Range 80W (parts of Camp Hale)

Dillon Reservoir, Boat Storage

The following act is prohibited within the boundaries of the Dillon Ranger District, White River National Forest, until this Order is rescinded.

No Motorized Vehicles off Boreas Pass Road

The following act is prohibited, at the area surrounding the Boreas Pass Section House, {as shown on Exhibit A), within the White River National Forest

Unlicensed OHV/vehicle restrictions and camping

Prohibitions on all National Forest system lands, roads, trails and improvements on the White River National Forest and the Dillon District of the Arapaho National Forest until further notice

Webster Pass Seasonal Road Closure

The following acts are prohibited on the South Platte Ranger District and Dillon Ranger District as described in this order

Aspen RD, No Camping within 300' of a Trailhead- Exceptions

The following acts are prohibited within the boundaries of the Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest:

Cooper Basin Drainage Closed to Motorized Vehicles

To continue historic modes of travel within the Cooper Basin Drainage, operation of motorized vehicles is prohibited:

Developed campground stay limitations

Stay limits for developed campgrounds on the White River National Forest

About

Lincoln Creek Dispersed Campground provides 22 designated car camping sites along the scenic Lincoln Creek Road in White River National Forest. Located approximately 11 miles southeast of Aspen off Highway 82, this dispersed camping area offers a more primitive camping experience in the Colorado high country. The sites are spread along the road leading toward the ghost town of Ruby and require a high clearance vehicle to access, with 4x4 strongly recommended due to rough road conditions. This is truly dispersed camping with no amenities provided. There are no toilets, potable water, trash service, or other facilities. Campers must be completely self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles. The area provides access to hiking, fishing in Lincoln Creek, and 4x4 exploration. All sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum stay of 5 consecutive days. The campground is located at approximately 9,800 feet elevation and is typically accessible from late May through September, weather dependent. During winter months, Lincoln Creek Road becomes impassable due to snow. Highway 82 closes at Independence Pass for winter, typically from late October or November through late May, which also limits access to the Lincoln Creek Road turnoff during this period.

Directions

From Aspen, travel southeast on Highway 82 for 11 miles to Lincoln Creek Road. High clearance vehicle required; 4x4 strongly recommended.

Nearby Campgrounds

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed Yes
Toilets No
Dump Station No
Wifi No
Pets Allowed Yes
Showers No
Electric Hookups
Water Hookups
Sewer Hookups
Camp Store No
Price $0

Vehicle

Max RV Length
Max Trailer Length
Big Rig Friendly No
Pull Through Sites No

Cell Service

AT&T None
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

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