CampgroundsDB

Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations), and camping is free. Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area is a National Forest campground near Dotsero, Colorado.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Dotsero, Colorado

National Forest
Managed by

Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area sits inside White River National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com. It sits right at the edge of Sweetwater Lake State Park; its hours, entrance fee, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Free

Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30

What's there

  • ✓ Toilets
  • ✓ Fire rings

On site: Toilets and fire rings.

Access and cell service

Elevation
7,830 ft

39.7974, -107.1610 in Garfield. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area?

No. Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

How much does it cost to camp at Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area?

Camping at Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area is free.

Who manages Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area?

Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area

Hot springs and waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Sweetwater Lake Recreation Area, in straight-line miles: Hanging Lake (waterfall, 14 miles), Glenwood Hot Springs (hot spring, 19 miles), and Rifle Falls (waterfall, 30 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Sweetwater Lake Dotsero · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $8 per night
 Deep Lake Dotsero · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $6 per night
 Gypsum Campground Eagle · BLM · Not on record
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record
 Trappers Lake/cutthroat Garfield · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Single Site: $22 per night

More campgrounds: camping near Dotsero and campgrounds in Garfield.

Sources

First-come, first-served Free
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