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.
Outside Steamboat Lake State Park
This park shares a boundary with Routt National Forest, where you will find over 140 miles of marked trails for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. This park is also just 4.6 miles from Pearl Lake State Park, where you can find fishing, boating, and other recreational opportunities. Furthermore, there are many terrific nearby locations if you are looking for a place to shop or dine.
Restaurants
Hahns Peak Café
Nestle in next to the wood-burning stove and play a game of checkers while you are waiting for your made-from-scratch food to arrive at this diner. The sweet potato fries and enchiladas are outstanding.
Type: Diner
Location: 61070 County Rd. 129, Clark, CO 80428
Hahn's Peak Roadhouse
At Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse, you can get burgers, pizza, stromboli, and other favorites. This restaurant is located in a convenience store at a small resort, so you can pick up a few things before you head back to your RV as well.
Type: Italian
Location: 60880 County Rd. 129, Clark, CO 80428
Clark Store Deli
Stop here for an outstanding breakfast taco or pancakes before starting your day playing in the state park. You can return before dinner to pick up basic supplies for excellent hamburgers, s'mores, and more.
Type: Diner
Location: 54175 County Rd. 129, Clark, CO 80428
Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails
Open Table named Laundry Kitchen & Cocktails one of the 100 Fit for Foodies Restaurants in America, and you will love the small plates and the extensive liquor menu at this restaurant set in a 100-year-old building.
Type: Upscale Rustic
Location: 127 11th St., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Big House Burgers and Bottlecap Bar
Decide to stay healthy by eating a fresh salad at Big House Burgers and Bottlecap Bar, or opt for one of their delicious burgers along with a milkshake. Your little campers will love the kid’s menu featuring favorites like hot dogs and fish sticks served with Dirty Worms and Bears milkshakes.
Type: Diner
Location: 2093 Curve Plz., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Shopping
Rocky Mountain Sled Rentals
Rocky Mountain Sled Rentals offers family snowmobile tours around Steamboat Lake and adult-only tours that reach elevations up to 10,500-feet in Routt National Forest. You can also rent a snowmobile from them to create your fun.
Location: 61450 RCR 62, Clark, CO 80428
Bucking Rainbow Outfitters
Get your fly-fishing equipment from Bucking Rainbow Outfitters, which has been in business for more than 20 years, or sign up for one of their guided fishing or rafting trips that visit numerous rivers in the area.
Location: 730 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Backdoor Sports
Get your supplies at Backdoor Sports, which has been serving skiing, kayaking, climbing, and camping customers since 1986 or rent the equipment that you need after getting help from their outdoor-loving staff.
Location: 841 Yampa St., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Straightline Sports Outfitters
After working for the former owners, the Lee Brothers have been running this store, Straightline Sports Outfitters, since 1988, and their staff will be happy to help you find skiing, hunting, archery, and fishing equipment.
Location: 744 Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Sightseeing
Dell's Triangle 3 Ranch
Dell's Triangle 3 Ranch provides winter and summer trail rides of various lengths, and they do pack trips in the summer.
Location: 55675 County Rd. 62, Clark, CO 80428
Saddleback Ranch
Wayne and Luanna Lacovetto purchased Saddleback Ranch, located in the Steamboat Valley, in 1993, and they and their children invite you to come trail ride, drive cattle, ride in a chuckwagon to dinner, and do many other activities on their property.
Location: 37350 RCR 179, Steamboat Springs, Colorado 80487
Sarvis Creek Wilderness
Spread across 44,556 acres of wilderness that is managed by the USDA Forest Service, you can hike the trails in Sarvis Creek Wilderness to see a historic logging camp, waterfalls, and meadows. You can also go horseback trail riding and try the cross-country trails.
Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Fish Creek Falls
Fish Creek Falls is a 283-foot-tall (86 m) waterfall that can be experienced with just a short hike to its base from a well-maintained parking area, or you can follow two paths across boulders to get to its top.
Location: 34165 Fish Creek Falls Rd., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Steamboat Ski Resort
Discover over 169 named trails spread over 2,965 acres at Steamboat Ski Resort where you can also hike, bike, fish, climb, and do many other activities in the spring, summer and fall.
Location: 2305 Mt Werner Cir., Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
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.