Camp Hale Memorial Campground: Echoes of the 10th Mountain Division

Camp Hale Memorial Campground, situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet within the Camp Hale National Historic Site, provides a tranquil and scenic camping experience steeped in history. This location served as a training base for the 10th Mountain Division, a specialized unit of 15,000 soldiers who honed their mountaineering and skiing skills here during World War II before engaging in combat in Italy. The 99th Infantry Battalion (Viking Battalion) also trained at Camp Hale. While most of the original buildings are gone, the foundations and outlines remain, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. Interpretive signs along U.S. Route 24 detail the history and accomplishments of Camp Hale and the soldiers who trained there. The campground itself features standard campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. Each site is equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings, and vault toilets are available. Note that drinking water and electrical hook-ups are not provided, so visitors must bring their own water. Bear-proof food lockers are provided at each site, and bear-proof trash receptacles are available at the campground. The campground's location within the White River National Forest provides access to various recreational activities. The Colorado Trail crosses nearby, offering hiking and backpacking opportunities. Gravel roads in the Camp Hale area are ideal for walking and biking. Fishing is also available in the nearby streams, including the Eagle River and East Fork Eagle River.