North Fork Campground•White River NF

00:00     Title
00:15     Cow Creek Campground 
03:00     Prairie Point Campground   
05:15     North Fork Campground   
06:55     Ripple Creek Overlook   
08:40     Alma State Wildlife Area    
11:15     Fin  
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There are dirt road highways in the mountain regions of the west that are smooth enough for an average passenger car. Some of these gravel roads even have high speed limits that can save travel time. There is one such gravel highway high up in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and this road is also an official scenic byway. CR8 is the gravel road to look for in the White River National Forest and a world of adventure awaits along the way.

The campgrounds that are located away from the primary tourism corridors offer more breathing room and the ones that can be found along CR8 often have open spots even on busy weekends. The southern end of CR8 is where the North Fork Campground can be found and this spot is not too far off the paved road, so it appeals to ATV trailer haulers and RV campers. The North Fork Campground is nestled in a deep aspen forest thicket and wild roses actually grow in this area, which add to the appeal. This small campground is rarely crowded, but it can become a full basecamp during the autumn hunting season. The North Fork Campground is in the White River National Forest campsite reservation system, which is something for seasonal anglers and hunters to keep in mind.   

ATV riding, hiking and mountain biking are the main recreational activities in this end of the Rockies. There are plenty of fly fishing opportunities nearby and star gazing in this dark sky region is also a pastime. Wildlife viewing is also a prime time activity. The Vaughan Lake Campground is another good spot to look for a few miles further down CR8 and this rustic high elevation campsite was mentioned in a previous article about the neighboring Routt National Forest. Setting up a basecamp definitely is the way to go, because the picturesque Rocky Mountain scenery has a way of making visitors not want to depart anytime soon!