The best camping near Steamboat Lake State Park

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.   

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

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. 

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. 

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.