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Colorado › Summit County › White River National Forest

McDonald Flats Campground

Closed

The campground typically opens around May 20 and operates through October. Winter travel season ends May 20, 2026. An aquatic nuisance species inspection order is in effect through April 2031, requiring all motorboats to be inspected before launch at Green Mountain Reservoir.

Air Quality Alert issued July 1 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Denver CO

9:10 AM — July 2nd, 9:00 AM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Wednesday July 01 to 900 AM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Thursday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Air Quality Alert issued June 30 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Denver CO

June 30th, 4:10 PM — 4:00 PM

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Tuesday June 30 to 900 AM Wednesday July 01 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Wednesday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

White River National Forest

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.

About

McDonald Flats Campground is located in the White River National Forest along Heeney Road near the inlet of Green Mountain Reservoir. The reservoir sits at the northern end of Summit County along the Blue River near the town of Heeney, offering a scenic high-country setting for camping and water recreation. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations. Facilities include vault toilets, but potable water is not available on site, so campers must bring their own water supply. The area provides excellent access to Green Mountain Reservoir for boating, water skiing, swimming, and fishing. Primary sport fish include brown trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. All motorboats must have an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspection before launch to prevent the spread of zebra and quagga mussels. Motorboats may only launch from Heeney Marina. The campground has a 10 consecutive night stay limit.

Directions

From I-70 Exit 205 (Silverthorne), travel north on Highway 9 for 16 miles. Turn left on Heeney Road after mile marker 118. The campground is located near the inlet of Green Mountain Reservoir.

Nearby Campgrounds

Prairie Point Campground 0.5mi Cow Creek South 3.0mi Cow Creek North 3.6mi Cataract Creek Campground 3.8mi Willows Campground 4.7mi Elliott Creek Campground 5.0mi Horseshoe Campground 8.3mi Blue River Campground 10mi South Fork Group Site 12mi

Amenities

Water No
Fires Allowed —
Toilets Yes
Dump Station —
Wifi No
Pets Allowed —
Showers No
Electric Hookups —
Water Hookups —
Sewer Hookups —
Camp Store No
Price $23

Vehicle

Max RV Length —
Max Trailer Length —
Big Rig Friendly —
Pull Through Sites —

Contact

Email SM.FS.DRDMailroom@usda.gov
Phone +1 (970) 468-5400

Cell Service

AT&T Yes
Verizon None
T-Mobile None

Useful Links

USFS McDonald Flats Campground
USFS Green Mountain Reservoir Area
White River NF Alerts

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