U.S. Forest Service · Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG · Colorado

Chapman Reservoir Campground

NOTE: This campground stays open until the snow makes it non-reachable. This campground is located outside of Yampa, CO near Dunckley Pass (along the Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway) on Forest Service Road 940 between the towns of Yampa and Meeker. The campground offers 12 campsites with a 22 foot maximum length for trailers. Each site offers a picnic table and a fire grate and has camp hosts on site. Some of the campsites offer a beautiful view of Chapman Reservoir and the Little Flat Tops. (There are also dispersed camping opportunities along Forest Service Road 940 enroute to Chapman.).

Open nowFirst-come, first-served12 sitesFrom $20 per nightTents only

More like this: first-come in Colorado · tent only in Colorado

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
Fees$20 per site. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash. No credit cards accepted. Payment instructions are found on the kiosk.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusOpen
SeasonMid to early June (dependent on weather) to Mid to Late November (dependent on snow)
ForestMedicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG
BookingNo reservations.
Fees$20 per site. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash. No credit cards accepted. Payment instructions are found on the kiosk.
RulesNote: ATV's are not allowed in the campground, however there is a staging lot outside the campground for trailers and ATV's. To access the reservoir, be prepared for a short walk as there is no drive up access. Pets must remain on a leash at all times in the campground.

Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Chapman Reservoir Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.37 inches of precipitation, 26.1 inches of snowFebruary: 1.29 inches of precipitation, 21.3 inches of snowMarch: 1.32 inches of precipitation, 16.8 inches of snowApril: 1.82 inches of precipitation, 15.5 inches of snowMay: 1.62 inches of precipitation, 4.7 inches of snowJune: 1.11 inches of precipitation, 0.5 inches of snowJuly: 1.62 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 1.59 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.48 inches of precipitation, 0.6 inches of snowOctober: 1.26 inches of precipitation, 6.9 inches of snowNovember: 1.19 inches of precipitation, 17.4 inches of snowDecember: 1.27 inches of precipitation, 21.4 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 19.4°F averageFebruary: 21.5°F averageMarch: 30.0°F averageApril: 38.1°F averageMay: 47.4°F averageJune: 56.7°F averageJuly: 63.0°F averageAugust: 61.3°F averageSeptember: 53.8°F averageOctober: 41.9°F averageNovember: 29.6°F averageDecember: 20.0°F average0 in10 in20 in30 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Yampa, 9 miles from the campground at 7,857 feet, station USC00059265 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 17 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 131 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Coordinates40.1867° N, 107.0862° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗13.7 mi
Outdoor gearGearhead Outfitters ↗45.8 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Chapman Campground - White River National Forest

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Flat Tops Wilderness begins about 8.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Guidebooks for Colorado

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Chapman Reservoir Campground?

No. Chapman Reservoir Campground is first-come, first-served. No reservations. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.

Source: Forest Service

How much does it cost to camp at Chapman Reservoir Campground?

$20 per site. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash. No credit cards accepted.

Source: Forest Service

Is Chapman Reservoir Campground open right now?

Open as of Oct 26, 2026. Season Mid to early June (dependent on weather) to Mid to Late November (dependent on snow).

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Chapman Reservoir Campground have?

12 sites.

Source: Forest Service

Can I bring an RV to Chapman Reservoir Campground?

Chapman Reservoir Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

What if Chapman Reservoir Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Crosho Lake Recreation Area (2 mi, first-come), Sheriff Reservoir Campground (4.1 mi, first-come), and Bear Lake Campground (9.7 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby