One of Aspen’s largest and most popular campgrounds will be shuttered for the season Tuesday.
Difficult Campground, 4 miles east of Aspen, must close to accommodate renovation of the drinking water system, The U.S. Forest Service announced Wednesday.
The campground is usually open into September. Reservations haven’t been accepted for the past six months for any dates past Aug. 15, according to Mike Kenealy, recreation special uses coordinator for the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. So while it is an inconvenience, no one had their trip unexpectedly altered.
The district has sought funding for years to replace the pump house and water system distribution lines. They finally came through this fiscal year. The project will cost nearly $200,000 with design and engineering, Kenealy said.
The Forest Service decided it would be best to complete the project this fall rather than wait until the start of next construction season. The work has to be done when the ground isn’t frozen because new lines must be buried and soil compacted.
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