Can you reserve a site at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?

Yes, Dry Lake Campground (CO) is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?

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

Are pets allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO).

Are campfires allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?

Campfires are allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Dry Lake Campground (CO) — 22 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Dry Lake Trailhead is located off County Road 60 (Buffalo Pass Road) and is near the Dry Lake Campground. This trailhead provides access to both non-motorized and motorized trails. Access for dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles on Buffalo Pass Road. This is a very high-use year-round trailhead and a gateway to exploring the aspens, sub-alpine firs, and wildflowers of the mountains of the Park Range. A vault toilet is provided at the Trailhead. Dry Lake Trailhead is managed by the Hahn’s Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District in Steamboat Springs.

In the summer and shoulder seasons, there is access to multiple hiking trails which are also beginner through advanced mountain bike trails (Panorama, Fiddlehead, Flash of Gold, Spring Creek, Spring Roll, BTR, Soda, Buffalo Billy's, and several others) and single-track dirt-bike trails (Great White Buffalo and upper Flash of Gold). Continental Divide Trail heading south from the top of Buffalo Pass is open to ATC 50” or less. Heading north from the top of the pass users almost immediately enter Mount Zirkel Wilderness.

In the winter, Dry Lake Trailhead is the primary access to the Buffalo Pass Winter Backcountry Permit Area. This area has special regulations to ensure the enjoyment of both non-motorized and motorized user. Winter users especially motorized users please pay attention to access regulations and information.

Recreation

Dry Lake campground provides a great gateway for hiking and biking.

Facilities

There are 22 campsites, 2 of which are double sites and 8 may be reserved two weeks in advance. Plus, 5 sites are first-come, first-served. Each site is spacious and equipped with a campfire ring, picnic table, bear box.

Natural Features

At an elevation of 8,277 feet, Dry lake lies in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of the Routt National Forest. The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland encompass nearly three million acres from central and northeastern Wyoming to north-central Colorado. Black bear, bobcat, coyote, elk, mule deer and moose are just some of the many animals that inhabit these rich and diverse lands.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (970) 870-2299.

Nearby Attractions

There are many attractions with Steamboat Springs only a short drive away. Many more outdoor opportunities exist in the surrounding national forests and grasslands, including hiking, biking, camping, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, fishing, hunting, sightseeing and winter sports.

The facts

22 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 92 ft
Up to 16 people per site
Loops: Dry Lake

Site types

22 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed
Electric hookups — not available
Water hookups — not available
Sewer hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

22 campsites at Dry Lake Campground (CO)

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
1	—	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	90 ft	10	🐾
2	—	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	71 ft	10	🐾
3	—	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	86 ft	10	🐾
4	—	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	10	🐾
5	—	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	10	🐾
6	—	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	60 ft	10	🐾
7	—	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	58 ft	10	🐾
8	—	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	71 ft	10	🐾
10	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	10	🐾
11	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	83 ft	16	🐾
12	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	76 ft	10	🐾
13	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	10	🐾
14	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	73 ft	10	🐾
15	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	10	🐾
16	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	71 ft	10	🐾
17	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	58 ft	10	🐾
18	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	68 ft	16	🐾
19	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	10	🐾
20	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	—	Gravel	92 ft	10	🐾
21	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	10	🐾
22	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	67 ft	10	🐾
9	Dry Lake	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	73 ft	10	🐾

Getting there

Directions from Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Travel 4 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road #36 (Strawberry Park Rd), then 3.6 miles east on Routt County Road #38 (Buffalo Pass Rd). The campground is located to the north of the road.

40.53589, -106.78216 · 40°32'9.2"N 106°46'55.8"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	4.5	4.3	3.7	4.6	3.3	1.6	1.2	1.2	2.3	3.2	3.8	4.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 0.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Dry Lake Campground (CO)

Can you reserve a site at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?: Yes, Dry Lake Campground (CO) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Dry Lake Campground (CO) have?: 22 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?: 92 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?: Yes, pets are allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO).
Does Dry Lake Campground (CO) have hookups?: No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?: Campfires are allowed at Dry Lake Campground (CO). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Dry Lake Campground (CO)

Teal Lake Group Campsite 9.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Grizzly Creek Guard Station 10.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Meadows Campground (CO) 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Dumont Campground 12.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Hinman Campground (CO) 14.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Campground 16.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Guard Station 16.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt NF (CO) 16.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Summit Lake Campground 5.2 mi · Campground
Granite Campground 5.4 mi · Campground
Hidden Lakes Campground 9.4 mi · Campground
Grizzly Guard Station Interpretive Site 9.9 mi · Facility

Contact

Book Recreation.gov

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

Dry Lake Campground (CO)