The best camping near Steamboat Lake State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Steamboat Lake State Park adventure.

100% (5 reviews)

A relaxing oasis with plenty of opportunities for year-round outdoor fun.

Popular ways to camp

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Top-rated campgrounds near Steamboat Lake State Park

98%

(61)

Baker’s Acres CO

2 sites · RVs26 acres · CO

This 26 acre ranch has rolling hills, flat pasture land, corrals, an historic red barn, sage brush and a family of rescue animals that currently includes chickens, alpacas, and 3 mini donkeys. A safe place to sleep is what we are all about. We know how hard it is to find an affordable, safe, convenient place to park your RV or van overnight, since camping is not allowed in Steamboat Springs! Where are you supposed to park your RV when the campgrounds are full? We are offering a large, flat parking area in front of our big red barn, conveniently located off Hwy 131, just 10 paved miles from the ski area. The views are beautiful! The animals, which will be roaming freely around the ranch. Feel free to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunsets, in your safe spot by the barn, away from the house. You MUST have your own toilet facilities. Our property borders Highway 131 on the north for easy access year-round. From this site you can hear Oak Creek flowing and you may occasionally see a coal train which runs along the creek. Due to the easy highway access, you will hear traffic when cars go by. We are surrounded by gravel roads, great for gravel bikes. Our animals free-roam in the summer and hang out by the barn in the winter. You may smell animal poo. You may hear chickens cluck. You are welcome to feed the alpacas grain if you wish. We will leave some out for you. The spotted donkey loves kids and loves to be pet, but they shouldn't be fed grain because they'll get too fat. If the animals are out in the pasture, you may venture out there to say hello. Please use common sense and don't scream, chase or tease the animals in any way. And for Pete's sake, close the gate behind you! We don't want animals running away! The stars at night are amazing and on any clear night you can see the milky way! The driveway and site has a dirt/gravel mixture and is snow covered from October - April. May is muddy! Access to Steamboat is extremely easy and about 10 minutes away. Stagecoach Reservoir is about 10 minutes away, too. Baker's Acres really is a great location. You will not be disappointed. NOTE: Dogs and alpacas typically don't mix and a loose dog may get stomped if an alpaca feels threatened. Also note that wild animals such as coyotes, fox, mountain lions, wolves, bears, hawks, eagles, elk, deer, skunk and others also live in this area. FIRE: There are no fires allowed at Baker’s Acres. All cigarettes must be disposed of properly. Prevent forest fires!

100%

(5)

22 West Cabins & Recreation

6 sites · Lodging400 acres · Walden, CO

22 West Cabins & RecreationWhere the deer and the antelope play.We are at the foot of the less-traveled East side of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness area within Routt National Forest22 West is a guest resort with a selection of cabin rentals, each of which fitting a variety of demands in unforgettable settings.We also provide a network of exclusive trails and private access to Routt National ForestAll of which culminates in an experience that is truly one-of-a-kind.

77%

(13)

Buffalo Ranch

1 site · RV, Tent35 acres · Steamboat Springs, CO

35 acres with access off highway 40, 15 miles to Steamboat Springs and the 20 miles to the ski resort. Property is directly across from yampa river and the nature conservatory land. Welding fabrication shop based on property but we are happy to help with any repairs . Large flat meadows in the front by the highway with wolf creek and trails on the west side of the property. Just a short 7 mile drive to Hayden and the Yampa Valley Airport

100%

(2)

Mtn. View Sheep Wagon

1 site · Lodging56 acres · Walden, CO

We are located 4 miles from Routt National Forest. You'll arrive at the ranch headquarters and we will either take you to the sheep wagon or give you directions to it. The sheep wagon is nestled in an Aspen grove (on 56 acres) with a creek just 12 feet away. From there, you are 1/4 mile away from the national forest and the wilderness. There are thousands of acres to explore, either by hiking , biking or horseback riding. You are also just minutes away from great trout fishing lakes and streams. While here ask about ranch tours and visiting with our sheep, horses, cows and chickens! There will be cattle or sheep on the property with the sheep wagon. Please note that cell phone service is very limited in the area.

85%

(27)

Mountain Top Views

4 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Oak Creek, CO

Views for Miles all the way to Hans peak. Beautiful open space with tons of areas to spread out in. The beautiful property is located only 13 minutes to the Mount Werner and 16 minutes to downtown, but you feel so much further than that from town when you are sitting next to the fire roasting smores.

99%

(68)

Mountain Meadows

1 site · Lodging160 acres · Oak Creek, CO

Our 160 acre property is surrounded on all four sides by miles of National Forest. We recently built our cabin/house adjacent to Trout creek which runs through the property. This property was originally homesteaded in the 1800’s. An original two story cabin built in the 1890s still stands on the property. The logs in that cabin are said to have come from “The Meeker Massacre” (one of the last Indian uprisings in the west). We still hay the 60 acre meadow that has fed cows for many years on the property. Campers can expect to see all kinds of wildlife, from large moose to small chipmunks on the property. Hiking around the meadow is a favorite activity of campers, or just relaxing in a rocking chair looking at the beautiful views.

The best camping near Steamboat Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

Located at the base of Hahn’s Peak just north of the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Steamboat Lake State Park offers year-round recreation and plenty of camp spots. Water skiing and jet skiing are popular activities on the lake and many of the coves and inlets are restricted to wakeless boating making it a great spot for paddle sports. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing are the big draws in winter. Steamboat Lake offers both electric and non-electric campsites during the main season and fourteen RV sites with hookups during the winter months.

Notable campgrounds

Best for boaters: Dutch Hill Campground
Best for hikers: Sunrise Vista Campground

Tips for snagging a campsite

Reservations are strongly recommended during the summer months and can be made up to six months in advance through the park’s website or over the phone. Reservations are only available September 30 through the week before Memorial Day—the rest of the season they are first-come, first-served.
For easy access to the water, book one of the waterside tent-only sites on Bridge Island.
Ten simple camping cabins are available for rent year-round and can be reserved through the Steamboat Lake Marina. They sleep up to six people, and some are pet-friendly. Campers must bring their own bedding.

When to go

Steamboat Lake State Park is open year-round. Summer is the most popular time to visit but the park can also be busy on weekends during the winter months. The drive from Steamboat Springs to Steamboat Lake is one of the best places to spot fall colors and colors typically peak between mid-September and early October. Winter campsites with electric hookups are available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Marina parking lot and the camping cabins are heated but require a 100-yard walk from the parking area in winter.

Know before you go

Campsites include picnic tables, fire rings, and some offer electric hookups. Coin-operated showers, flush toilets, and laundry services are available at the Camper Services Building.
Pets are welcome as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash. They are not allowed at the swimming beach.
The marina store sells basic camping supplies, firewood, and snacks.
Pontoon boat, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available at the Steamboat Lake Marina. Reservations are highly recommended.
If you bring your own boat, be aware that all vessels need to be inspected for invasive species before launching. Inspection stations are located at Dutch Hill and Placer Cover.