Little Mattie Campground campground
Carbondale, Colorado

Little Mattie Campground

Mostly first-come
19 campsites
Open in maps

19

Total Campsites

Campground

Reservable Sites

Mostly first-come

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Little Mattie Campground

Overview Located approximately 14 miles eat of Basalt, CO, in the White River National Forest, Little Mattie Campground is situated on the Ruedi Reservoir at an elevation of 7800 feet. Sites are open to the starry nighttime skies and access to the lake and trails. It sits amid a mixed conifer forest and offers an ideal setting for guest seeking recreation and relaxation. Little Mattie has 19 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers and RVs. There is a maximum length of 30 feet for RVs & trailers. The sites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings and bear boxes (food storage lockers). Guests also have access to vault toilets and drinking water, but electrical hook-ups are not available. Recreation Renown for its fly fishing, Frying pan River flows below Ruedi Dam. Here, large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout are plentiful in an area nicknamed the “toilet bowl.” The fish feed on Mysis shrimp, a small freshwater shrimp stocked in the lake. The stretch of rive from below the dam down to the confluence of Frying Pan and the Roaring Fork River has been designated as Gold Medal Waters by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. Special regulations in this area include fishing only with artificial flies and lures, and releasing all trout except brown trout, with a limit of two fish over 14 inches. For hikers and bikers, the Ruedi Trail, located north of the reservoir, climbs to the top of Red Mountain. The trailhead is located 200 feet north of the Jeep trail near the boat ramp and parking lot. This eight mile trail gains over 3,000 feet in elevation, leading hikers to a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Boating, swimming, and water skiing are all possible. Interpretive programs are popular activities. Facilities Renown for its fly fishing, Frying pan River flows below Ruedi Dam. Here, large rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout are plentiful in an area nicknamed the “toilet bowl.” The fish feed on Mysis shrimp, a small freshwater shrimp stocked in the lake. The stretch of rive from below the dam down to the confluence of Frying Pan and the Roaring Fork River has been designated as Gold Medal Waters by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. Special regulations in this area include fishing only with artificial flies and lures, and releasing all trout except brown trout, with a limit of two fish over 14 inches. For hikers and bikers, the Ruedi Trail, located north of the reservoir, climbs to the top of Red Mountain. The trailhead is located 200 feet north of the Jeep trail near the boat ramp and parking lot. This eight mile trail gains over 3,000 feet in elevation, leading hikers to a spectacular panoramic view of the area. Boating, swimming, and water skiing are all possible. Interpretive programs are popular activities. contact_info For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564. Charges & Cancellations Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

  • 19 total campsites listed.
  • Primarily first-come camping based on current listing data.
  • Most common site type: unknown (19).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Little Mattie Campground photo 2
Little Mattie Campground photo 3

Our Take

What makes Little Mattie Campground special

Little Mattie Campground sits at 7,800 feet on the shores of Ruedi Reservoir in the White River National Forest, just 14 miles from the town of Basalt in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley. The 19 sites are set among mixed conifers that frame views of the reservoir and surrounding peaks, and the high elevation delivers some of the darkest night skies you will find at a developed campground — the Milky Way here is genuinely breathtaking. Days fill easily with reservoir fishing, kayaking, and swimming, while the surrounding forest offers quiet hiking through aspen groves and wildflower meadows. Late June through September is the prime window, with July and August being warmest for water activities. Nights stay cool even in midsummer, so pack warm sleeping bags. The drive from Basalt follows the Frying Pan River, which is world-class fly-fishing water worth a stop in either direction. Little Mattie is a standout for stargazers, anglers, paddlers, and anyone seeking a high-mountain reservoir camp with easy access to Aspen Valley culture.

Campsite Inventory

19 sites to choose from

Unknown

19total sites

0

Reservable

0

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

Campfire Allowed

Yes

Site capacity

Single

Check-in time

02:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

Condition Rating

Basic

Driveway entry

Back-in, Pull-through

Driveway length (ft)

30

Driveway surface

Gravel

FOOD STORAGE LOCKER

Food Storage Locker

Location Rating

Good

Max guests

10

Max vehicle length (ft)

30

Minimum guests

Yes

PICNIC TABLES

Picnic Tables

Pets allowed

Yes

Site Access

Drive In

Site length (ft)

30

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mostly first-come

Phone

(970) 927-0107

Email

Help.WhiteRiver.Sopris@AmericanLL.com

Getting There

Take I-70 west of Denver to Glenwood Springs Exit 116, Highway 82 to Basalt. At Basalt, take Frying Pan Road 15 miles to the Ruedi Complex Entrance.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Little Mattie Campground.

How do reservations work for Little Mattie Campground?

Reservation availability for Little Mattie Campground can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Little Mattie Campground?

Little Mattie Campground currently lists Unknown (19).

Where is Little Mattie Campground located?

Little Mattie Campground is in Colorado near Carbondale. Coordinates: 39.3767, -106.8075.

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