White Star

Beautiful location, on site rangers we’re so helpful and kind.

One of the best campgrounds I've ever been to. Well maintained, quiet, and clean. The views in every direction were spectacular, and we loved how close we were to the lake. Did several hikes in the area, including Mount Elbert summit. Independence Pass was a short drive away and was amazing. We spent an afternoon in Aspen, which is only an hour away. I will be coming back here for sure!

IN FEBRUARY WHEN WE RESERVED THE CAMPSITES, THE WEBSITE WOULD ONLY ALLOW US TO RESERVE 3 NIGHTS. THE FOLLOWING NIGHTS WERE LISTED AS "FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED", AND NOT AVAILABLE TO RESERVE. WE ASSUMED THAT WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE CAMPSITE IN JULY, WE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RENT THE SPACE FOR THE FOLLOWING DAYS. SOMETIME AFTER FEBRUARY, THE WEBSITE CHANGED AND ALLOWED SOMEONE ELSE TO RESERVE THE SITES FOR THE FOLLOWING DAYS. WHICH MEANT DURING THE MIDDLE OF OUR STAY, WE WOULD HAVE TO MOVE. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO SITES AVAILABLE WHERE WE COULD MOVE. WE WERE COMPLETELY AMBUSHED BY THE FORREST SERVICE, OR WHOEVER MAINTAINS THE WEBSITE. TOTAL DISASTER!

Great place to camp. Just wish it would be easier to get reservations. Most of the time, small tents are in larger RV spaces rather than the tent sites. Maybe need to designate spaces better, not allowing tents in large spaces.

The camp host (Bob) and his wife were on site and Bob was very helpful and professional when introducing himself and explaining the guidelines. The bathrooms were very clean. He had wood for sale at a reasonable price and the experience was great! Wish I could've spent another 5 days at the campground but it was all reserved. Also the Mexican Restaurant, Casa Sanchez, in Leadville, right on the main "drag" was exceptional! The food was terrific and the employee's were so friendly and kind. Did I mention the food was 5 Stars! Thanks,

NO WATER! Very inconvenient.

AND NO DUMP STATION. Beautiful scenery.

Our campground host Bob was very accommodating, friendly, and helpful. He runs a good operation. Only complaint (and not something camp host is responsible for), is entrance to loops are very pot-holed, and barely navigable. Forest Service needs to maintain the entrance better.

This was our second year going to White Star and both years there has been no potable running water anywhere on the campground. Last year (2020) there were very large (300 gal?) tanks brought in for campers to use, but this year there was no water at all. If the water situation is not resolved next year we definitely won’t pay the fee when we could go to dispersed camping for free and get almost the same accommodations. We tent camp but have our own port-a-potty, so the vault toilets are not any better. Even when there is potable water, the campground has no showers. Other than the lack of water and showers, it’s a very nice campground. If I were in a camper, I would have no complaints about this campground. Each site in the Valley Loop and Ridge Loop has plenty of space away from the next site so you have some privacy. It is hilly and rocky, but hey, it’s in the Rocky Mountains, what do you expect? Sage Loop is closer to the Lakes and the sites are closer together, flatter, and more open than the other two loops. The camp hosts this year were very friendly and helpful, especially Bob. Our reservation was a little messed up and Bob was very helpful in telling us what our options were. Other than lots of chipmunks and a few birds, we saw no wild animals in the campground, but did hear coyotes in the distance at night a couple of times. I really like this campground and would like to give it a higher rating, but the lack of water and showers really is a bad deal for tent campers who are there for over a week.

Beautiful campground with some sites waterfront. Great hosts, who kept bathrooms very clean. Our site was very private. One of our favorite places to camp!

Fishing was good