Heaton Bay Campground White River National Forest Colorado
Heaton Bay Overview
Heaton Bay Campground is located way up in the high country at 9,000 feet on the Dillon Reservoir in the White River National Forest. The campground has 81 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs. There are 17 campsites with water and electric hookups (sites 27-43). Campsites are reservable, but there also are several first-come, first-served. Check in is usually around 3PM and check out is at noon. You can improve your chances for a first-come, first-serve site if you arrive around 7:30 a.m.
Each campsite also has a table, fire ring, grill and food locker. All campsite pads and campground roads are paved. The campground has drinking water, firewood for sale, vault toilets and a picnic area. Pets/dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash – even lizards. Firewood is also available for sale from the campground host.
Heaton Bay Area Recreation
Heaton Bay Campground is a great basecamp to hike/backpack to some of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. Bring your fishing pole because the fishing is good at Dillon Reservoir, as well as a few creeks in the area. In addition to fishing and hiking, visitors can enjoy biking, boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, picnicking, horseback riding, hunting and wildlife viewing. There are also some nice OHV riding trails in the area including Bald Mountain (FRS #520 and 528), Boreas Pass (County Road 10), Brush Creek (FSR #1695) and Cataract Creek (FSR #1725). Check OHV road conditions HERE. Boat ramp access is available in the marinas located in the nearby towns of Frisco and Dillon. You can also rent power boats, kayaks, SUPS and sail boats at the Dillion Marina.
Other campgrounds in the area include Camp Hale Memorial, Peak One, Prospector and Lowry.
Make a Reservation for Heaton Bay
Amenities
- BBQ Grills
- Boat Launch/Ramp
- Campground Host
- Campsite Tables
- Drinking Water
- Equestrian trail
- Fire Pit
- Fire Rings
- Firewood Available
- Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
- Grills
- Pets OK
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms (Vault Toilets)
- RV Hookups
- Wood
Activities
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Bird Watching
- Boating
- Boating (non motorized)
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Fly Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Lake
- Mountain Biking
- Nature Trails
- OHVing
- OTV Trails/Riding
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Reservoir
- Sailboarding
- Sailing
- Stargazing
- Swimming
- Walking Trails
- Water Sports
- Wilderness Area
- Wildlife Viewing
- Wind Surfing
Silverthorne, Colorado 80498
970 469-7681
Lat / Long:
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Heaton Bay Availability Alerts
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Campsite Types
- ADA
- RV
- Tent
- Trailer
# of Campsites:
81
Season:
Mid May – early October
Elevation:
9,052
Heaton Bay Comments & Reviews
Visited Heaton Bay Campground lately? We'd love to hear about your adventure. Did you find us useful? Did we forget something? Anything our community should know before heading out to Heaton Bay?
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hi, we are trying to come in early July and wondered what we need to do in order to get a site for a trailer with a 30 amp plug and water. Seems hard to reserve online and I would appreciate some guidance. Thanks!
Hi Mark,
Great question. And you’re correct – July is a tough time to get camping reservations at the popular campgrounds like Heaton Bay. Reservations must be made 4 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 Month(s) in advance. Our ‘Make A Reservation’ button on the Heaton Bay campground page will link you directly to Recreation.gov page to check availability and make a reservation. Coincidentally we just published an article on tips for making reservations at popular campgrounds. In a nutshell, you’ll want to have your site picked out (at Reservation.gov) and have your finger on the ‘Check Availability’ button at 7:00 a.m. (PST) 6 months to the day you want to arrive. For example, if you wanted to arrive on July 10, then have everything ready (site picked, dates picked, etc.) and cued up at 6:59 a.m. (PST) on Jan 10. Exactly at 7:00 a.m. – click the ‘Check Availability’ button and wait to see if you got your spot. Check out our article for more tips. Good luck!
Is this still an accurate description of how to reserve online? 7:00 am PST = 9:00 am CST (which is my time zone). I am currently looking at spots that would work for us so that I will be ready to book.
Hi Chrsite,
Yes, you are correct. For Recreation.gov properties like Heaton Bay, the reservations open up at 7AM PT, 9AM CT and 10am ET. If you don’t get a site, we’ve added a new feature ‘Campsite Assist‘ that will alert you (via email and text) when a campsite becomes available (for your dates) at sold-out campgrounds. Here’s a PDF doc with more tips for Recreation.gov campgrounds:
I have a reservation for July 7-9. Is there a place at this campground to dock a boat?
Thank you
Rosie
Hi Rosie,
There are two marinas on Dillion Reservoir that have boat ramps and docks with slips. One is located in the town of Frisco and the other in Dillon. Both are a few miles from Heaton Bay campground.
Can you use a pop-up trailer in a tent spot? Looking for 2 spaces, 1 for a 33ft trailer with hook-ups and 1 for at 20 ft pop-up. Dates July 3-7, 2019. I see walk-up spots available. How does that work? Can I just reserve them?
Thank you
Hi Bethany,
You can use (or park) a pop-up trailer in the parking spots designated for the walk-in (tent only) campsites at Heaton Bay. Those are first-come, first-serve. All other sites are reservable. July 4th holiday/weekend is generally popular and sells out.
Hello,
I have reserved at Heaton Bay many times but this campground is no longer listed in Reserve America.
I have tired many dates less than 6 months but this campground is no longer listed.
Has it been moved to another reservation site?
Thank You
Hi Robyn,
If you click on the ‘Make A Reservation’ button on the Heaton Bay campground page it will direct you to Recreation.gov. It is the agency that now handles campground reservations for Heaton Bay. You can also click HERE.
do you take america the beautiful or senior pass?
Hi Sharon,
Yes, Heaton Bay does take the America the Beautiful Senior Pass.
We are going to try to get a walk up spot for a trailer in July. When does the park open for walk ups? Any other tips to try to ensure a spot this late?
Hi Kelly,
For Heaton Bay campground – check in is usually around 3PM and check out is at noon. You can improve your chances for a first-come, first-serve site if you arrive around 7:30 a.m. And if you’re planning on a weekend (Fri-Sun) stay, it’s best if you can try and check in on Thursday.
Best of luck!
Dear Camp Ranger,
I can see that Heaton Bay campground activities mention Mountain Biking, Nature Trails, OHVing, OTV Trails/Riding… Does this mean ATV’s are permitted inside the park area? If they are not allowed, then is there a designated place to park OHV somewhere on the outside of the campground area? – Thanks in advance for your guidance!
Hi Travis,
There are some nice OHV riding trails in the area (outside Heaton Bay campground) including Bald Mountain (FRS #520 and 528), Boreas Pass (County Road 10), Brush Creek (FSR #1695) and Cataract Creek (FSR #1725). Check OHV road conditions HERE.
Hi,
Where are the food storage lockers located?
Hi Sam,
Sorry – our bad – Heaton Bay does not have food storage lockers. We made the correction.
Hi
We are camping at Heaton Bay soon, but I couldn’t find anything about dogs. Are they allowed?
Thanks
Hi Laura,
Yes, pets/dogs are allowed at Heaton Bay campground but they must be on a leash.
Hi,
what is the latest time you can arrive for check in at the evening and how does it work?
Thanks
Hi Matthias,
Check in at Heaton Bay campground usually starts around 3PM, and the host/ranger will be there until about 8PM. You can go to your reserved campsites after 8PM and then check back with the ranger/host the next morning. If you don’t have a reservation you can take one of the non-reservable sites (if available) and again – the ranger/host will check with you in the morning.
Hello,
I am wondering if most of these sites are big enough to house two tents? And does each campsite have a grill or just the fire pit?
Also, is there a place near or in the campground where we can rent kayaks or canoes?
Thanks so much!
Hi Natalie,
Yes, most of the campsites at Heaton Bay campground can accommodate two tents. Each also has a fire pit and a grate/grill that folds over the fire pit. And you can rent kayaks, SUPs, power boats and sail boats at the Dillion Marina.
Hello, I will be staying here with my brothers and some friends on July 5th. What kind of fishing is there on land? Species? Best bait?
Hi Jason,
We’re not familiar with any fish that live on land (sorry – couldn’t resist). Dillion Reservoir (Heaton Bay campground) has 26 miles of shoreline where you can cast your line for Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon and Arctic Char. Have a great time!
I pull a travel trailer. Can I fill up my water tank for a 4 day visit with you? It takes 30 gallons. I would prefer not to have to lug all that water from home. Thanks.
Hi Alan,
If you have one of the electric/water campsites at Heaton Bay campground, you can fill up your tank no problem. There are 17 campsites with water and electric hookups (sites 27-43). There are also water spigots throughout the campground where you may be able to access with a longer hose. Should not be a problem, but you may want to call the campground direct to confirm: 970-468-7681.
Hello, I will be camping here on august 6th through 9th. Could you please tell me how much firewood is?
Hi Kyle,
Sorry, we don’t know the price of a firewood bundle at Heaton Bay Campground. You might try calling the campground directly at: 970 469-7681
Can the electric sites also accommodate tents? How many tents are allowed?
Hi Melissa,
Yes, you can also have a tent(s) on the electric/RV sites – as long as it fits in your campsite space. Also keep in mind that Heaton Bay campground allows two vehicles and 8 people per campsite.
Is there an RV dumpsite in the vicinity?
Hi Ken,
You have two options for RV dump stations near Heaton Bay campground:
One is up north of Silverthorne: Blue River Treatment Plant, 26452 N Highway 9, Silverthorne CO 80498 / 970-468-6152. Open 8am to 3:30pm, Mon thru Fri (Sat, Sun and holiday hours vary).
And the other is a bit east of Frisco on Highway 9: Upper Blue Sanitation District, SR-9 and Swan Mountain Rd, Frisco CO 80424 / 970-453-6442. Potable water available. Rinse water available.
Hello! Does anyone know if you can have generators at Heaton Bay? Thanks!
Hi Whitney,
Yes, generators are allowed at Heaton Bay campground. They may run from 8am to 10pm.
Are there nearby facilities to stay? We don’t have a camper/motor home or tent but want to join a group of friends that will be camping at the end of August.
Hi Don,
Yes there are a few hotels and condo rental opportunities in the town of Frisco (less than 2 miles from Heaton Bay campground) including: the Grand Hotel, The Villas at Prospect Point, Lake Forest Condos and Colorado Rocky Mountain Rentals. There may be others as well! Hope this helps.
Hi is this campsite open currently due to corona?
Thanks
Hi Rebecca, Yes – Heaton Bay campground is open.
Hello,
I have a reservation for site D55 at Heaton bay and I would like to know if the site is big enough for 2 tents (10 x 9 ft each), we are six people. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Belda,
You can fit one large tent (10×20), or two tents (10×9) at Heaton Bay campsite D55. You can also have up to 2 vehicles and 10 people in the site.
How far from town is the campsite? Going with 4 yo and wonder if we could bike to town.
Hi Shawn,
Figuring your first stop after the ride might be for ice cream . . . it’s about 3.5 miles from Heaton Bay campground to Cameez Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt (in the middle of Dillon).
Can I reserve an electric/water site and camp in my tent? I plan on staying for a week next year and know you don’t have showers. Are there nearby businesses that let campers staying at Heaton Bay get a shower? Thanks,
Hi Nikkie,
Yes – you can tent camp in a electric/water campsite. I’m not sure about whether any businesses in the nearby towns that have showers for campers, etc.
Hello,
Can you recommend a few tent sites with million-dollar water views? We tried D48 last Summer and were quite happy with it.
Thanks!
Hi Craig,
Yes campsite 48 is a winner! Site 52 is also great, as are 18-23. Many nice sites at Heaton Bay Campground!
Hi! We have reserved 023 & we’re wondering if you can have a pop up camper & a pull behind hard sided 20’ camper at the same site? We will also have tents. Thanks!
Hi Courtney,
Yes – you can have a popup camper and 20’camper in site #23. The parking spur is 45 feet long with a few fee overhang out the back. All vehicles (2 max – trailers are considered a vehicle) must have all wheels on the paved parking surface. You can also tent camp in that site.
Can you carry a kayak down to the water in the eastern campsites in loop
B ?
Hi Susan,
You certainly can from campsites 68-81. The walk ranges between 30 to 225 feet from the campsites to the shore (depending on the campsite). The hitch is that you’d probably need to walk through or close by a campsite (from camp road) if you don’t have one of these campsites. The area/ground is fairly level from the campsites to the shore.
I see that reservations are not taken after 9/30. Does that mean the park is closed, or that it is first come first served?
Hi John,
Heaton Bay Campground generally opens mid May and closes (no camping) in early October. Reservations are accepted Mid May through September. Sometimes the park has first-come, first-serve camping a few weeks prior and after the reservation window. Not sure if that will be the case this year (after September 30).