The best camping in Steamboat Lake State Park, CO

·
100% (5)

The best camping in Steamboat Lake State Park, CO

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.
100% (5)

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

Camper favorites near Steamboat Lake State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Calendar icon
Snag sold-out campsites.
Get notified the instant a national park campsite becomes available, for free.
Van icon
See the best spots in one place.
Explore 500K+ public lands, RV resorts, and private sites you won't find anywhere else.
Star icon
Book with confidence.
Read millions of real reviews from campers like you—so you know what to expect.

Stories from the community

Top-rated campgrounds

Mystic Valley Farm

22km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Steamboat Springs, CO
Horse Ranch RV Site Near Steamboat Springs & Ski Resort Description: Park your RV on our peaceful horse ranch just outside Steamboat Springs, Colorado. We’re tucked away next to Sleeping Giant Mountain, near the private airport on the west side of town off Hwy 129 — only 12 miles from the world-famous Steamboat Ski Resort (the second largest in the U.S.). You’ll have a private, level, finished site with an electric hookup, gray water disposal, and access to a toilet in the heated barn. Wake up to mountain views, watch horses graze, and enjoy the tranquility of ranch life while still being minutes from skiing, hot springs, hiking and biking trails, and downtown Steamboat. Just north of this location is Clark, Colorado — a popular outdoor recreation area known for hiking, mountain biking, gravel riding, hunting, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling, and more. There are three state parks in the area, all with lakes, and the Elk River runs down from the Zirkel Mountain region — a popular destination for fly fishing. What We Offer: • Level, finished RV pad with electric hookup • Gray water disposal • Toilet access in the heated barn • Beautiful ranch setting with horses on site • Easy access on plowed roads Perfect For: • Ski season adventurers looking for a unique base • RV travelers seeking peace and a quiet setting • Anyone who loves wide-open views, dark skies, and a ranch lifestyle • Longer stays — monthly rates available
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$75
 / night

Sagebrush Solitude

100%
(1)
49km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 1 site · Tent, RV · Hayden, CO
🌿 Sagebrush Solitude Where the Sky is Wide and the Silence is Sacred ⸻ 📝 Overview Welcome to Sagebrush Solitude, your off-grid escape in the heart of Colorado’s high country. Perched on open land with sweeping views, rugged sagebrush, and rolling hills, this peaceful retreat invites you to unplug, slow down, and reconnect with nature’s rhythm. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking a small camper, this site offers privacy, stillness, and the kind of wide-open space that’s hard to come by. Please note: We live on this land and care deeply for it. While your campsite is private and peaceful, this is also our home. We kindly ask that all guests respect the land, the space, and our presence here. Getting here takes a little effort — the rough dirt road is best suited for high-clearance vehicles — but the reward is pure Colorado quiet, just minutes from Hayden. ⸻ 🌟 What’s Included • Expansive views and serene surroundings • Incredible stargazing — no light pollution • Room for tents, vans, and small RVs • Wildlife sightings (elk, deer, coyotes, hawks) • Fully off-grid: no hookups, no water, no toilet ⸻ 🚙 Know Before You Go • Rough road access — high-clearance vehicle strongly recommended • Located about 15 minutes from Hayden (exact directions sent after booking) • High winds are common, especially in the afternoons — please secure your tent and gear • Bring your own water, food, and supplies • 4WD is suggested, especially in wet conditions • Pack in, pack out — follow Leave No Trace principles • We live on-site — please be mindful and respectful • Pets are welcome, but must be kept under control (wildlife nearby)
Pets
from 
$30
 / night

Boyer YL Ranch

100%
(1)
50km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 5 sites · Lodging · Dixon, WY
Our Mission & Story The YL Ranch is a welcoming and inclusive restorative guest ranch seeking to reestablish our connection to one another, community, nature, and the outdoors. The YL is a sanctuary for the weary, a retreat, and a place to be whole again, inspiring creatives and explorers. In 2018, Jock and Kimberly opened the ranch gate to guests, reunions, retreats, camps, and other special events. In 2022, we welcomed the launch of the Wyoming Backcountry Discovery Route and the many adventure motorcyclists from around the world! In 2017, Jonathan Boyer and his wife, Kimberly Coats, returned to their ranch in Wyoming. The YL was Jock’s childhood home. They had spent the previous decade in Rwanda running the Rwandan National Cycling Team. Jock’s boyhood dream has always been to return to the ranch and share its special gifts with friends and guests from around the world. The YL Ranch has been in the Boyer family since 1905. Jock and Kimberly look forward to welcoming you with their own unique style of warm Wyoming hospitality. The YL is open year-round and can accommodate up to 25-30 guests in summer and 20 in winter. Enter the YL and experience all the joys of ranch life and outdoor adventure – cycling (road, mountain, and gravel), fishing, tennis, swimming, and gourmet (sometimes fireside) meals.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$119
 / night

Bear Mountain Outfitters

100%
(1)
59km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 4 sites · Lodging · Steamboat Springs, CO
Nestled within a secluded 18,000-acre ranch, Grizzly Camp offers a serene and tranquil camping experience. The camp features three sleeping cabins, each furnished with two full-sized beds, a table, chairs, and a dresser for guests' convenience. A dedicated shower cabin provides hot and cold water, enhancing the comfort of the stay. Guests can gather in a separate dining cabin, which is equipped with a propane stove, oven, refrigerator, and seating for up to twelve. The second floor of the dining cabin serves as an ideal retreat for children, featuring two twin beds and three sleeping cots. While the camp benefits from running water sourced from a nearby spring, it does not have indoor plumbing, allowing guests to embrace the rustic charm of outhouses as part of their experience.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$150
 / night

Rabbit Ears Basecamp Near Steamboat

59km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 3 sites · Lodging · Kremmling, CO
Tucked at the base of Rabbit Ears Pass and just 30 minutes from Steamboat Springs, Rabbit Ears Basecamp is your jumping-off point for alpine adventure and cozy mountain stays. Set on 21 private acres with big sky views and aspen-covered hills, our property is home to three unique cabins, a welcoming Ranch House, and plenty of space to explore, unwind, and reconnect. THE STAYS 🏡 The Boondocker Cabin (sleeps 8) Perfect for bigger crews who don’t mind sharing space. This cabin features 1 queen bedroom, a roomy loft with 3 queen beds, a cozy living room with a gas fireplace, and a “hidden” Little Tracks Loft play area just for kids. 🏕️ The Trapper Cabin (sleeps 2 + 1) Rustic and peaceful, this studio is great for solo travelers or couples who want to unplug. Small but mighty, with everything you need for a quiet mountain escape. 🏠 The Ranch House (sleeps 7) A full-sized home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen made for coffee lovers. It’s got western flair, plenty of room to spread out, and sweeping views from every window. 🌄 The Valleyview Cabin (coming late summer 2025) Still under construction, but we’re already in love. This two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin may just have the best views on the property. Stay tuned! THE HITCHIN’ POST All guests are welcome to kick back at our communal hangout space, The Hitchin’ Post. Here you’ll find a hot tub, grill, fireplace, pool table, darts, horseshoes, and enough mountain charm to end your day just right. WHAT YOU'LL LOVE ⛰️ Quick access to Rabbit Ears Pass, just a 5-minute drive to parking and trails 🚡 30 minutes to Steamboat Springs for hot springs, food, shopping, and skiing 🏞️ Lakes, rivers, hiking and off-road trails all close by 🌌 Stargazing and wildlife sightings right from your porch 🐶 Dog-friendly! 🚤 Plenty of trailer parking for snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, or horses 📶 Wi-Fi throughout the property PERFECT FOR: - Family getaways and reunions - Small retreats or creative workshops - Elopements and microweddings - Hikers, bikers, sledders, paddlers, hunters and peace-and-quiet seekers We’ve put our hearts into creating a stay that feels like home, with space to roam and plenty of mountain magic to go around. Come stay wild with us. We can’t wait to host you!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$189
 / night

Vista Verde Guest Ranch

12km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 13 sites · Clark, CO
At Vista Verde Ranch, you’ll discover a unique blend of adventure and genuine hospitality that makes you feel like part of the family. This isn’t just a vacation destination; it’s your home in the heart of the West. From the moment you step onto our expansive property, you’ll be greeted with warm smiles and a commitment to ensuring your stay is nothing short of extraordinary. Owners Chris and Laura Jones emphasize that the true essence of Vista Verde lies in its people. Each season, we assemble a vibrant team of enthusiastic and service-oriented individuals, many of whom come seeking adventure and leave with lifelong friendships. Our dedicated year-round management team, along with these remarkable staff members, meticulously attends to every detail of your visit, ensuring it is personalized and filled with unforgettable experiences. We take great joy in witnessing our team grow and forge connections with our guests. We’re confident that you’ll come to appreciate them just as much as we have over the years. Before each season kicks off, we share staff bios and photos, giving you a glimpse of the friendly faces that will enhance your ranch experience. At Vista Verde, it’s not merely about the stunning surroundings; it’s about the relationships you build along the way. Come and immerse yourself in the magic of the West, surrounded by a community
Pets
Potable water
Toilets

High Tide Ranch

32km from Steamboat Lake State Park · 2 sites · Steamboat Springs, CO
High Tide Ranch stands out as a unique working cattle ranch nestled just outside the picturesque town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. With over 25 years of dedicated stewardship by Larry and Mary Kay Monger, this ranch is steeped in history and tradition, sitting beneath the majestic Elk Mountain, also known as Sleeping Giant, in the scenic lower Elk River Valley. This thriving cattle ranch has been operational for over a century, originally established as a sheep ranch by Larry’s family in the early 1900s. Transitioning to cattle ranching under Larry’s father, the ranch has evolved into a successful cow/calf operation that keeps the Mongers busy year-round. The cattle are divided into two groups, with one herd grazing at the Carpenter Ranch in Hayden, managed by the Nature Conservancy, while the other remains on the hay meadows during winter, receiving daily hay feed. As calving season approaches in March, Larry and Mary Kay diligently check on the cows, ensuring that any needing assistance receive help. Once calving is complete, branding day arrives, where each calf is marked with the H-connected-T brand and given necessary immunizations.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets

Other options near Steamboat Lake State Park

The best camping in Steamboat Lake State Park, CO 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

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. 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.  
  2. For easy access to the water, book one of the waterside tent-only sites on Bridge Island. 
  3. 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

  1. 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. 
  2. Pets are welcome as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash. They are not allowed at the swimming beach. 
  3. The marina store sells basic camping supplies, firewood, and snacks. 
  4. Pontoon boat, canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available at the Steamboat Lake Marina. Reservations are highly recommended. 
  5. 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. 
100%
5 ratings · 1 review