Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Lakes Campground?

Yes, Big Creek Lakes Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Big Creek Lakes Campground have?

60 sites in total, of which 24 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Lakes Campground?

50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground.

Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground?

Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado — 24 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

The popular Big Creek Lakes Campground offers a peaceful, scenic setting in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. The campground is located in Routt National Forest at an elevation of 9,000-ft., and is adjacent to Big Creek Lake, where fishing, boating and hiking are available. Trails and one corral are available for the Equestrians.

Recreation

This campground offers boating and fishing on Colorado's second largest natural lake, hiking in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness and ATV trails nearby. There are also ample opportunities for viewing wildlife, including moose.

Fishing for trout, muskie, grayling and Kokanee salmon is available in the lake. Anglers also have access to a creek. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the upper section of the lake and motorized boats are permitted on the lower section.

Facilities

This facility has a campground and day use area. There are 24 reservable campsites and 30 first-come, first-served campsites, all of which are near Big Creek Lake. Two boat ramps are provided for the convenience of boaters and anglers. A campground host (When available) is on-site for visitor assistance and one horse corral, located near site 17, is provided on a first come first served availability.

Natural Features

Big Creek lies among Lodgepole pine and fir trees. Some previously forested areas of the campground have been thinned due to pests and now provide more sun. The campground offers beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness.

The wetlands around the lake are prime moose territory. Black bear, bobcat, coyote, elk, mule deer and moose are just some of the many animals that inhabit these rich and diverse lands.

The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, encompass nearly 3 million acres from central and northeastern Wyoming to north-central Colorado.

Nearby Attractions

The closest town is Walden, Colorado, about 35 miles from the campsite. Many more outdoor recreation opportunities exist in the surrounding national forests and grasslands, including hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, OHV riding, fishing, hunting, sightseeing and winter sports.

The facts

Season: Early June – Mid to Late October (weather dependent) — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
24 bookable sites
60 sites in total, including non-bookable
9 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 50 ft
Up to 10 people per site
Loops: BIG, MANAGEMENT

Site types

36 Management
24 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

60 campsites at Big Creek Lakes Campground

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
002	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
003	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	40 ft	10	♿ 🐾
005	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
006	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
007	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	10	♿ 🐾
009	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	50 ft	10	🐾
010	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	50 ft	10	♿ 🐾
011	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	40 ft	10	🐾
012	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	50 ft	10	♿ 🐾
014	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	40 ft	10	♿ 🐾
015	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	50 ft	10	🐾
017	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	50 ft	10	♿ 🐾
023	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
024	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
026	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	10	🐾
029	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	10	🐾
033	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
034	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
043	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	10	🐾
044	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	10	🐾
045	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	10	🐾
046	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	10	♿ 🐾
051	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	20 ft	10	♿ 🐾
053	BIG	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	10	♿ 🐾
0013	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0016	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0018	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0019	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0020	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0021	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0022	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0023	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0024	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0025	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0026	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0027	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0028	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0029	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0030	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0031	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0032	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0033	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0035	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0036	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0037	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0038	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0039	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
004	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0040	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0041	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0042	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0047	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0048	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0049	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0050	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0052	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
0054	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
008	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
Host Site	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	—
XXX	MANAGEMENT	Management	—	—	—	8

Getting there

From Walden, follow Route 125 north for 9 miles into Cowdrey. Turn left (west) onto CR 6W and travel 18 miles to Pearl. Turn onto Forest Road 600 and drive for 6 miles, following signs to campground.

40.93639, -106.61167 · 40°56'11.0"N 106°36'42.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Low °F	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Precip in	5.5	5.0	5.0	4.8	3.6	1.8	1.2	1.7	1.9	4.1	5.1	5.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 10 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Big Creek Lakes Campground

Can you reserve a site at Big Creek Lakes Campground?: Yes, Big Creek Lakes Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Big Creek Lakes Campground have?: 60 sites in total, of which 24 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Lakes Campground?: 50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground.
Are campfires allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground?: Campfires are allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

Big Creek Lakes Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Big Creek Lakes Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

$20/single site, $40/double site per day. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash. NO CREDIT CARDS accepted. Payment instructions are found on the kiosk.

Restrictions:

Dogs must be leashed in campground and day use areas; horses only at Seven Lakes Trailhead corral, and are not allowed in campsites. Wilderness restrictions apply within Mount Zirkel Wilderness.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Big Creek Lakes Campground

Blackhall Lookout 7.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt NF (CO) 12.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Guard Station 14 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Campground 14.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hog Park Campground 14.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hinman Campground (CO) 17.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Big Creek Lake Boat Access less than 0.1 mi · Facility
Six Mile Campground 13.4 mi · Campground
Purgatory Gulch Trailhead 16.1 mi · Facility
Pelton Creek Campground 18.7 mi · Campground
Encampment River Campground 19.5 mi · Campground
Steamboat Lake Parking Lot 19.9 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 970-723-2700
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Big Creek Lakes Campground