Trappers Lake/Bucks Campground
Closed — Closed for the season. Typically opens mid-May and closes mid-October depending on snow conditions. Operates first-come, first-served with no advance reservations.
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:
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
Bucks Campground is one of five Forest Service campgrounds in the Trappers Lake complex within White River National Forest. Located near the Flat Tops Wilderness boundary and adjacent to the Trappers Lake Outlet parking area, this 10-site campground provides a quieter alternative to some of the larger campgrounds in the area. The campground sits at approximately 9,600 feet elevation in a high mountain setting surrounded by spruce-fir forest. Trappers Lake, known as the "Cradle of Wilderness" for its role in inspiring the wilderness movement, lies entirely within the Flat Tops Wilderness. The lake offers excellent fishing for native cutthroat trout, though motorized boats and wheeled carts for boat transport are prohibited. Multiple wilderness trails begin near the campground, providing access to the Flat Tops Wilderness backcountry. An RV dump station is available within the Trappers Lake campground complex for camper convenience. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and fills quickly during peak summer weekends. All sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Vault toilets and potable water are provided. The remote location, over 50 miles from Meeker, requires advance planning for supplies and fuel.
Directions
From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow for 39 miles to Trappers Lake Road 205. Turn south on Trappers Lake Road 205 and continue for 10 miles just past the Outlet Trailhead. Bucks Campground is on the left.
Nearby Campgrounds
- Trappers Lake/Trapline Campground 0.1mi
- Trappers Lake/Horse Thief Horse Camp 0.1mi
- Trappers Lake/Cutthroat Campground 0.1mi
- Shepherds Rim Campground 0.2mi
- Trappers Lake/Shephards Rim Campground 0.2mi
- Himes Peak Campground 2.9mi
- Cold Springs Campground 6.9mi
- Horseshoe Campground 7.3mi
- Vaughn Lake Campground 9.8mi
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $20 - $23 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 30ft |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (970) 878-4039 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Trappers Lake / Scotts Bay Picnic Site |
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