Yampa River State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Experience another side of the Colorado wilderness at Yampa River State Park. With three distinct areas spread out across a large swathe of northwestern Colorado, this isn’t a traditional state park. In one visit, you can paddle 134 miles of the Yampa River, swim in the Elkhead Reservoir, or enjoy the outdoors in the campground at park headquarters. The river, of course, is the park’s main attraction, and you can paddle through impossibly green farmland in the Yampa Valley and float beneath towering canyon walls. In the East Cross Mountain section, experienced rafters can navigate Class V rapids. Most parts of the park are located near a town, and the headquarters sits just six miles from Hayden and 31 miles from lovely Steamboat Springs.
Spring 25-65 F
Summer 44-84 F
Fall 21-76 F
Winter 8-36 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Yampa River State Park
Any trip to Yampa River State Park involves a great deal of outdoor adventure — that’s why it pays to use an RV as your home base. Haven’t bought your own motorhome yet? An RV rental gives you the chance to upgrade your vacation and get a sense of the features you need most.
Yampa River State Park Campground
Located near Hayden and the park’s headquarters, the Yampa River State Park Campground is conveniently located for river and reservoir access. Here, there are 49 sites. Over 30 offer electric hookups for RVs, and 14 are designated for tents. Within the campground, you’ll find hot showers and a laundry room. If you’re bringing kids, they’ll love the picnic area and playground. The Yampa River is a quick walk from every site, so you can go fishing or enjoy the scenery along the short nature trail. At the end of your visit, the on-site dump station helps you get ready to hit the road. A basic campsite is $24 per night, and a site with electric hookups is $35.
Routt County Fairgrounds RV Park
Located just six miles from Yampa River State Park in Hayden, Routt County Fairgrounds RV Park makes it easy to stay close to park headquarters. This spot has nine RV spaces with full hookups along with 14 sites with 20-amp electric hookups. Sites here are simple concrete pads, but the location is handy for adventures throughout the Yampa River Valley. A bathhouse nearby has hot showers and flush toilets. Full hookup sites start at $43.09 per night, and simple sites are $25. You’ll get a significant discount on the premium sites if you stay for a week or more.
Craig KOA Journey
When it comes to amenities, it’s hard to beat Craig KOA Journey. This full-service campground offers a wide range of perks, including full hookups, Wi-Fi, cable TV, and a dog park. Go ahead and bring your big rig because sites here can accommodate RVs up to 75 feet long, and pull-through spots are available. Most campsites are located under the trees, ensuring that you’ll have plenty of shade as you relax by your fire pit. Rates can vary dramatically throughout the year, but you can expect to pay at least $48 per night.
What to Do at
Yampa River State Park
Inside Yampa River State Park
The river is the star of the show at Yampa River State Park; it’s popular for boating, whitewater rafting, and trout fishing. If you’d prefer to enjoy the river from the shore, you can explore the hiking trails that run from the river access points; the Duffy, Cross Mountain, and Mt. Juniper Canyon access points have the best views and trails. Birding is a popular activity on the nature trail at park headquarters. You’ll also find volleyball courts and picnic areas. Head to the Elkhead Reservoir for swimming, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking.
How to Get to
Yampa River State Park
Yampa River State Park is conveniently located right off of Highway 40, so it’s easy to access in an RV. From Interstate 70 in the south, you can access Highway 40 via Highway 131 or Highway 13. In addition, there are 12 river-access points between the park headquarters and Dinosaur National Monument near the Utah border.
Entering Yampa River State Park
Yampa River State Park is always open for camping. However, the visitor center hours vary.
Yampa River State Park Per vehicle : $9.0
Yampa River State Park Individual (no vehicle) : $4.0
Whether you’re planning to float down the river or simply enjoy the views at Yampa River State Park, RVshare would love to hear how it goes. When you’re discussing your trip or posting photos on social media, tag RVshare. Not a social media user? Just send photos and stories to [email protected] — you might see them in a future RVshare post.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yampa River State Park
Summer is the best time of the year to tour Yampa River State Park. Favorable weather conditions and many guests in the warm months make the place a wonderful getaway destination.
Yampa River State Park is in an area with a subtropical climate. The summer months are often warm, dry, and clear. On the other hand, winter months are cold, snowy, and partly cloudy.
This Colorado state park hosts many animals, including badgers, cottontail rabbits, jackrabbits, beavers, red foxes, muskrats, and ground squirrels. It is also home to various birds, including vireos, sparrows, robins, and wrens.
Yampa River State Park has over 30 designated RV camping sites in its campground. Besides having access to an on-site dump station, the campsites feature hot showers, a laundry room, and electric hookups.
Accessing this state park with pets is permitted. However, the pets must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet. The pets should behave accordingly and be cleaned after.