Camp Hale Memorial Campground: A Historic Mountain Retreat

Camp Hale Memorial Campground, situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet, provides a tranquil escape surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. This campground holds historical importance as the training site for the 10th Mountain Division, a unit of 15,000 soldiers who honed their mountaineering and skiing skills here during World War II. Some of these soldiers later fought in Italy. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Viking Battalion) also trained at Camp Hale. While most of the original buildings have been dismantled, the foundations and other remnants serve as a reminder of the camp's past. Interpretive signs along U.S. Route 24 provide insights into the history and accomplishments of Camp Hale. The campground features 15 standard sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings. Vault toilets are available, but drinking water and electrical hook-ups are not provided, so visitors must bring their own water. The roads, parking areas, and spurs within the campground are gravel. Anglers can enjoy fishing in the nearby Eagle River, named by the local Ute Indians for its many branches. The Colorado Trail also passes within walking distance, offering opportunities for hiking and biking on the area's gravel roads. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot bighorn sheep, elk, and various alpine species. Please note that food storage orders are in effect, and all food, beverages, trash, and scented items must be properly stored. Bear-proof food lockers are provided at each site, and bear-proof trash receptacles are available throughout the campground.