The best waterside camping near Steamboat Springs

A hip ski town in the heart of the Rockies, Steamboat Springs is the perfect launchpad for your Colorado adventure. After all, everything is more epic at 6,700 feet up. Whether you're hiking through Routt National Forest, fishing the trout streams, or shredding the slopes, there are endless ways to experience this slice of ski country.

Start your outdoor experience at Steamboat Lake State Park or Stagecoach State Park. Both spots offer lakeside camping, hiking trails, and majestic mountain views. Pro tip— you can rent free snowshoes and fishing gear at the Stagecoach park office.

Ready to discover the Colorado backcountry? Thirty miles from Steamboat Springs, Hahns Peak Lake keeps it rustic. Here, you can camp by the lake at an 8,500-foot elevation. The stunning views of Hahns Peak are a bonus.

On the Buffalo Pass, you find Dry Lake Campground among stands of Aspen and spruce trees. The secluded spot may feel isolated, but you have easy access to the area's hot springs. Just be aware that the tent sites fill up fast on the weekends.

Whether you're looking for remote backcountry sites or convenient mountain cabins, Steamboat has you covered. State and private campgrounds are scattered throughout the Yampa Valley (where elk are known to roam).

Thanks to its outdoor-loving community, Steamboat Springs is a great spot to visit year round. Downhill mountain biking, rodeos, and hiking are some summer favorites. You can also try fly fishing or tube-floating the Yampa River. During the winter, take advantage of some of the best downhill skiing in Colorado.