Steamboat Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Many people consider Steamboat Lake State Park to be the perfect retreat in northwest Colorado. It's nestled southwest of Hahns Peak in an area that's about 10 miles north of Clark, 26 miles north of Steamboat Springs, and 183 miles west of Fort Collins. In the spring, you can go backcountry camping in fields filled with wildflowers, ride your bike on seven miles of trails, view nesting bald eagles, and more. On hot summer days, head to this park’s 1,053-acre reservoir for water-skiing, jet-skiing, and fishing. Once fall arrives, the trees in this park put on glorious fall colors, and you can go hunting, hiking, and horseback riding. Regardless of when you come, make sure to bring your camera to capture award-winning photographs.
Spring 30-55 F
Summer 50–77 F
Fall 39-61 F
Winter 16-35 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Steamboat Lake State Park
You'll want to bring your RV to this campground because the nearest town is 10 miles away. It would be a shame to miss any of the exciting action by having to commute from a distant motel. If you do not have an RV, rent one on RVshare.com so that you can skip the driving.
Steamboat Lake State Park
Over 220 campsites are available at Steamboat Lake State Park, and they are spread across three campgrounds, with some having electrical hookups. Rates at this campground start at $20 with Aspen Park Pass holders getting a discount during the week.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Fire rings, lake view, near a marina
Seedhouse Campground
Seedhouse Campground is located on the north fork of the Elk River and is open seasonally, and you will love the isolated location where you can go fishing very near your RV. Rates start at $12 per night, and there are two hand pumps for water.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Vault toilets, hand-pumped water, nearby fishing
Hinman Park Campground
Hinman Park Campground, located in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, offers 13 seasonal camping sites available on a first-come basis. Rates start at $10 per night at this campground, which has amazing views of nature.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Fire rings, shade trees
Pearl Lake State Park
The seasonally opened Pearl Lake State Park campground offers breathtaking views of Steamboat Lake. Campsites start at $24 per night, and you will love the fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing at this park.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Fishing, boating, winter activities
What to Do at
Steamboat Lake State Park
Inside Steamboat Lake State Park
After taking a short hike from near the visitors center to the dam, many people catch their limit of trout from shore at this lake. While you will have to watch for no-wake zones, this park is also a fabulous place to bring your water-skiing boat and your jet skis, which you can launch from the boat ramp. There are three non-winter hiking trails at this park, and you can use them to connect to trails in the Routt National Forest. In the winter, you can cross-country ski along a trail that is a little over four miles long or snowshoe along a trail that is a little over one mile long and offers beautiful views of the lake.
How to Get to
Steamboat Lake State Park
It is easy to get to this park from Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Start by heading west for two miles on U.S. 40 to County Road 129. Turn north, and the park will be on your left in about 25 miles.
Entering Steamboat Lake State Park
All campsites at the park now require a reservation, but you can make them six months in advance, and doing so is easy online.
Steamboat Lake State Park Per vehicle : $9.0
$80 annual pass available
Steamboat Lake State Park Per Person : $4.0
Fee charged for those not entering in a vehicle
You may want to visit Steamboat Lake many times throughout the year as something new is always happening. If you have visited this state park, we'd like to hear about your fishing, camping, hiking, boating, or other experiences here. Be sure to tag RVshare in your Steamboat Lake social media posts so that we can share in your experiences. You can also send your photos and stories to [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions About Steamboat Lake State Park
The best time of year to Steamboat Lake State Park is the spring and summer when you can partake in boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. Don't discount winter, though! You're able to ski, ice fish, and go snowshoeing.
Steamboat Lake State Park's high elevation and proximity to the mountains makes it cold and snowy from November until around May. The summer months are moderately warm and dry with an average temperature of 72.
Wildlife in this state park is abundant. You'll come across white-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, wild turkeys, and even the occasional bear. Anglers will delight in the wide variety of fish to be found in the lake.
You'll find RV camping spots at Steamboat Lake State Park. There are 2 campgrounds with 188 campsites to choose. Many of the sites have 50-amp electrical hookups. There are also dumpstations at each campground.
Pets are always welcome at Steamboat Lake State Park, with some rules. Pet owners must keep their pets outside public buildings, and all dogs must be on leashes. They must clean up any messes their pets leave behind.