North Fork Campground ~ White River National Forest

 
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, instead of taking the long way around on the paved roads. There is one such gravel highway in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and this road is also an official scenic byway. CR8 is the gravel highway 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 opportunities for 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 thick aspen forest 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 dark sky region is also a pastime. Wildlife viewing is prime time in this region too, so there are plenty of wholesome outdoor activities to be found while at the North Fork Campground. 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. Setting up a basecamp definitely is the way to go in this end of the White River National Forest, because the picturesque Rocky Mountain scenery has a way of making visitors want to stick around for a while!