Colorado › Garfield County › White River National Forest

Trappers Lake/Shephards Rim Campground

Closed

The campground operates seasonally, typically opening in late May or early June and remaining open through late October or early November depending on weather and hunting seasons. Reservations via Recreation.gov are accepted until October 1; after that date, the campground operates first-come, first-served through rifle season. At 9,720 feet elevation, opening dates are snow-dependent.

Winter Weather Advisory issued October 30 at 12:22PM MDT until November 2 at 6:00PM MST by NWS Grand Junction CO

October 30th, 12:22 PM — 12:30 PM

* WHAT...Snow expected above 10, 000 feet. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. Locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Flat Tops, Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys, Grand and Battlement Mesas, and West Elk and Sawatch Mountains. * WHEN...From noon Sunday to 6 PM MST Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.

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.

White River National Forest

Weed Free Forage Products

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

White River National Forest

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.

White River National Forest

Check the Avalanche Forecast before heading into the Backcountry!

Always check the avalanche forecast before heading into the backcountry!Avalanche danger on the White River National Forest is real! Since the 1999/2000 winter, 45 people have died in avalanche accidents on this National Forest, and hundreds more have been in avalanches. If you are interested in…

White River National Forest

FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions

Forest Service Road 286, which is south of Montezuma and west of Webster Pass at Radical Hill, is closed until further notice due to multiple washouts caused by the recent heavy rainfall. Our crews are assessing the damage, but the road is currently impassable and unsafe for all vehicles.

White River National Forest

Limited parking at Snowmass Creek Trailhead

Pitkin County Open Space and Trails and the White River National Forest are breaking ground on a trailhead and parking upgrade. Parking will be limited from August through November. Vehicles parked illegally, including along the access road, are subject to ticketing and/or towing. We know it's…

White River National Forest

White River National Forest, Camp location restrictions

PURPOSEThe purpose of this Order is to protect natural resources, wetlands, riparian areas, aquatic ecosystems, and National Forest System Trails.

White River National Forest

Sopris and Dillon Ranger Districts, Motorboat Inspection Requirements

The purpose of this Order is to provide for natural resource protection by preventing infestation of aquatic nuisance species such as zebra and quagga mussels and provide for public safety.

White River National Forest

Grizzly Creek Trail Closure

Access to Grizzly Creek Trail will continue to be limited while bridge replacements and other improvements are completed.

White River National Forest

Blanco Ranger District, Camping within Designated Areas

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

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…

White River National Forest

Sopris Ranger District, Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

The purpose of this Order is to protect resources and Public Safety.

White River National Forest

Aspen RD, Occupancy and Use Prohibitions

The purpose of this Order is to protect resources and Public Safety.

White River National Forest

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:

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

White River National Forest

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.

White River National Forest

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 the…

White River National Forest

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 that may have…

White River National Forest

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

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

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:

White River National Forest

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)

White River National Forest

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:

White River National Forest

Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, Camping and other rules

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…

White River National Forest

Tenderfoot - Frey Gulch Fire Closure

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

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:

White River 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

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:

White River National Forest

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:

White River National Forest

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:

White River National Forest

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:

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:

White River National Forest

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

White River National Forest

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:

White River National Forest

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)

White River National Forest

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 Ranger District, White River National Forest:

White River National Forest

Bicycle Use

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

White River National Forest

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:

White River National Forest

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)

White River National Forest

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)

White River National Forest

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.

White River National Forest

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

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

White River National Forest

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

White River National Forest

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:

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:

White River National Forest

Developed campground stay limitations

Stay limits for developed campgrounds on the White River National Forest

About

Shepherds Rim Campground is a scenic, high-elevation campground at 9,720 feet in the Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest. Located at the edge of the Flat Tops Wilderness, the campground provides access to one of Colorado's most iconic fishing destinations. Trappers Lake, approximately 302 surface acres, is home to a strain of native Colorado River cutthroat trout and is managed as a catch-and-release fishery. The campground has 16 sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, fire ring, and bear-proof food locker. Vault toilets and potable water are provided. An RV dump station is available within the Trappers Lake complex. There are no hookups or showers. Trappers Lake lies entirely within the Flat Tops Wilderness, where motorized boats and wheeled boat carts are prohibited. The area offers extensive hiking opportunities, including access to the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway and numerous alpine lakes and peaks. Certified weed-free hay is required for anyone bringing livestock.

Directions

From Meeker, take Colorado Highway 13 east for 1 mile, then turn right on Rio Blanco County Road 8 and follow it for 39 miles to Trappers Lake Road (Forest Road 205). Turn south on Trappers Lake Road and continue for 10 miles past the Outlet Trailhead. Shepherds Rim Campground is the last campground on the right after crossing the bridge.

Nearby Campgrounds

Shepherds Rim Campground 0.0mi Trappers Lake/Cutthroat Campground 0.2mi Trappers Lake/Trapline Campground 0.2mi Trappers Lake/Bucks Campground 0.2mi Trappers Lake/Horse Thief Horse Camp 0.2mi Himes Peak Campground 2.8mi Cold Springs Campground 7.0mi Horseshoe Campground 7.4mi Vaughn Lake Campground 9.7mi

Location

39.9948844909668, -107.24286651611328

3888 Trappers Lake Rd, Meeker, CO 81641

Amenities

Water	Yes
Fires Allowed	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Dump Station	Yes
Wifi	No
Pets Allowed	—
Showers	No
Electric Hookups	—
Water Hookups	—
Sewer Hookups	—
Camp Store	No
Price	$25

Vehicle

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

Contact

Phone

+1 (970) 927-0107

Cell Service

AT&T	None
Verizon	None
T-Mobile	None

Useful Links

Recreation.gov Shepherds Rim Campground
USFS Trappers Lake / Shepherds Rim Campground

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