The best camping in Eleven Mile State Park, CO

With one of the largest reservoirs in the state, Eleven Mile State Park is wildly popular with anglers and boaters alike, particularly in the summer high season, when motorized boats are permitted to use the reservoir. The park is also great for birdwatching, and it's not uncommon to spot raptors, songbirds, peregrine falcons, white pelicans, and even bald eagles. Land activities include hiking, cycling, and camping, and the park offers nine campgrounds with a total of 325 sites, some with full hook-ups, plus an additional 14 designated backcountry campsites.

• Best for quiet camping: Cross Creek Campground is a great place to get away from the crowds, offering only 14 sites.
• Best for RV camping: Rocky Ridge Campground is the only place in the park with electric sites (in loops A, B, and D).
• Best for boaters: North Shore Campground has solid amenities, including its very own boat ramp.

1. You can reserve a site at one of the park's nine campgrounds through Colorado Parks and Wildlife online reservation system or over the phone.
2. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. Same-day reservations are also available online or over the phone.
3. Only one tent or “camping unit” is allowed per site, so groups with multiple tents need multiple reservations.
4. Many campsites and facilities are closed during the off season of November through March.

High season at Eleven Mile runs from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Temperatures are at their warmest this time of year, but there's also a greater chance of rain and thunderstorms, particularly in July and August. September is a great alternative, when kids have gone back to school and crowds are fewer. Wintertime is ideal for ice fishing, and there are monthly tournaments from January through March.

• You can pick up supplies and groceries in the town of Lake George, about a 20-minute drive from the northern shores of the reservoir.
• While water-contact sports such as scuba diving and jet skiing aren’t allowed, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards can be used as long as the reservoir isn’t frozen over. Motorboats are permitted until the end of October.
• Boat rentals and marina rentals are available through 11 Mile Marina.
• There are two accessible campsites at the park: one at Rocky Ridge and one at North Shore.
• Separate vehicle passes and campsite reservations are required.