Big Creek Lakes Campground

Colorado Rockies

BIG CREEK LAKES CAMPGROUND in Colorado Rockies — photo 4

Big Creek Lakes Campground

Colorado Rockies

About this campsite

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.

Location

BIG CREEK LAKES CAMPGROUND•CO

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

SUN☀️

20° / 5°

—

TODAY☁️

20° / 9°

—

TUE☁️

20° / 9°

💧 8%

WED☁️

20° / 7°

💧 2%

THU☀️

19° / 7°

💧 1%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

12.4 km away

Blackhall Lookout

Overview Resting atop of a nearly 11,000-foot summit, Blackhall Mountain Lookout is perched in the Sierra Madre Range in southeast Wyoming. Traveling to the end of one of the highest roads in Wyoming rewards the visitor with panoramic views of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Built in 1963, and listed on the National Historic Registry, this remote lookout tower sleeps 4 comfortably with one queen sized bed, and one twin sized bunk bed. The tower is equipped with LED solar lights, and strong AT&T and Union signals. Don’t miss the beautiful Wyoming sunrises and sunsets and an occasional lightning storm from the wrap-around catwalk offering 360-degree views! Being a remote cabin, water & Propane are not available, please plan ahead and bring your own drinking water and your own propane stove so you can cook during your stay. A vault toilet is located nearby. Also, please bring your own bedding, dishes, silverware, and cooking utensils. Outlets and charge ports are not available. Additionally, the last 3 miles leading to Blackhall Mountain Lookout require a high clearance vehicle with 4WD. Packing a saw in case of fallen trees on the road is also recommended. Lastly, please be advised this is a functioning fire tower and therefore availability of the cabin could be modified on the reservation system at any time to be utilized during a fire. Enjoy your stay at this historic site! Please follow the Pack it in Pack it out method Charges & Cancellations If I book this reservation today, what are my options to change or cancel? Please remember that reservations at these facilities prevent other visitors from using these sites. Planned changes to your stay should be made as far in advance as possible. You can make changes to your reservation ahead of your arrival date in My Reservations. Changes If your new stay dates are completely different from your original stay dates, there is a $10 change fee (per reserved site). There are no additional fees for: Adding or removing nights to your stay. Changing to a different campsite. Balances will adjust based on your new stay's nightly rate. Cancellations You can cancel the reservation any time before the date of your scheduled arrival. You will receive a refund for your stay, minus the following fees: $10 cancellation fee Any reservation fees (only if paid when booking) Any previous change fees Late cancellation penalties may also apply: What is “Late”? For individual campsites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 1 calendar day before your scheduled check-in. For cabins and group sites, a late cancellation applies starting from midnight 14 calendar days or fewer before your scheduled check-in. Late Fee In addition to the fees listed above, a late cancellation will also subtract your first night's recreation use fee from any refund owed. As of the expected check-in day, cancellations or changes to your stay are not possible through My Reservations. It is at the facility's discretion to support additional Late Cancellations, No Show, or Early Departure updates – on-site personnel may not be able to assist. These changes carry penalties and may forfeit recreation use fees. For additional details, please visit here.

20.9 km away

Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt NF (CO)

Overview Seedhouse Group Site provides a private setting for group gatherings of up to 100 guests. Located near the Elk River, just miles from Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Seedhouse is a retreat for fishing, hiking, biking, off highway vehicles, and horseback riding in the mountains of the Park Range. At an elevation of 8,000 feet, the area is set near the Mount Zirkel Wilderness, which provides for excellent backcountry hiking and camping. The facility provides eight primitive tent sites with campfire rings and picnic tables, as well as a large picnic shelter that can accommodate 20 guests. Water is available via a hand pump well system. Bear-proof food storage lockers and trash receptacles are provided for visitor safety. Campers can access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail via a connector trail within a short drive from the campground. Recreation The group campsite is a great central location for wilderness hiking and mountain biking, trout fishing in the nearby Elk River and picnicking amidst beautiful mountain scenery. Campers can access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail via a connector trail within a short drive from the campground. Facilities The facility provides eight primitive tent sites with campfire rings and picnic tables, as well as a large picnic shelter that can accommodate 20 guests. Water is available via a hand pump well system. Bear-proof food storage lockers and trash receptacles are provided for visitor safety. Natural Features Seedhouse lies in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of the Routt National Forest near the Elk River. 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. Nearby Attractions Visitors might also enjoy stopping by Steamboat Lake State Park, only a short drive from the campground. 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.

22.5 km away

SEEDHOUSE GUARD STATION

Overview Seedhouse Guard Station is located approximately 26 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. It was constructed in 1933 and offers a unique lodging opportunity for guests seeking recreation and relaxation in the Routt National Forest. This historic cabin is available for rent in the fall and winter. Guests can drive directly to the cabin when the roads are clear; however, winter access is only available by snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing over three miles from the end of the plowed road. The cabin offers some amenities, but guests need to pack in several of their own supplies. Recreation Trailheads leading to hiking and horseback riding trails are an easy drive from the guard station. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes near the cabin through the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness. Anglers can fish for trout in the Elk River. In winter, the area is blanketed by snow for wintertime play. Snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities. All motorized activity, including snowmobiling, is prohibited in wilderness areas. Facilities The historic guard station is furnished with two sets of bunkbeds with mattresses and can accommodate up to five guests (3 twin beds, 1 full bed). Other amenities include a propane range, refrigerator, lights, heater, table and chairs, cooking utensils and cookware. A campfire ring and a picnic table are located outside. An outhouse with vault toilet is nearby. Horses may be kept in the corral or in the pasture in the fall; however, fencing is not provided. Hay must be certified weed-free. Drinking water and electricity are not available. Guests must provide their own supply of water for cooking, cleaning and washing. In winter, there is a large pot provided for melting snow. Guests need to provide their own food, headlights or flashlights, sleeping bags, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. Natural Features The guard station is nestled beneath a canopy of fir and pine forest at an elevation of 8,000 feet along North Fork Elk Creek near the Middle Fork Elk River. Mount Zirkel Wilderness is nearby, one of the original areas protected under the 1964 Wilderness Act. The area boasts ecosystems ranging from sagebrush meadows in the lower areas to alpine tundra at high elevations. Wildlife is abundant near the cabin, including elk, deer and coyote. Migratory birds, squirrels and an occasional black bear find habitat in the forest as well. Nearby Attractions Across the road from Seedhouse Campground. Less than 3 miles from several trail heads, many with access to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area. Close to the Elk River. Closest store and restaraunts are Clark Store and Glen Eden Resort and Hahn Peak Roadhouse.

22.7 km away

SEEDHOUSE CAMPGROUND

Overview Seedhouse Campground is a gateway to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness along the Elk River with plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, off highway vehicles, hunting, fishing, river rafting and more. At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Seedhouse Campground lies in the mountains of the Park Range near the Middle Fork of the Elk River. The Middle Fork of the Elk River is so close, campground visitors can hear its roar. Campers can access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail via a connector trail nearby. There are 24 campsites, 15 of which may be reserved. Remaining sites are first-come, first-served. There are two hand pump water systems throughout the campground. Recreation Seedhouse is located near Mount Zirkel Wilderness and provides a great gateway for hiking and biking. Trout fishing is accessible on the river as well as several mountain streams. Campers can access the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail via a connector trail nearby. Facilities There are 24 campsites, 15 of which may be reserved. Remaining sites are first-come, first-served. Each site is spacious and equipped with a campfire ring and picnic table. There are two hand pump water systems throughout the campground. Natural Features At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Seedhouse lies in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of the Routt National Forest near the Middle Fork of the Elk River, which visitors can hear from the campground. 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. Nearby Attractions Visitors might also enjoy stopping by Steamboat Lake State Park, 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.

23.4 km away

HOG PARK CAMPGROUND

Overview Hog Park Campground offers a peaceful setting on the southeast shore of Hog Park Reservoir. The campground provides access to the water for boating, fishing and water sports, as well as options for hiking the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. It lies high in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests at an elevation of about 8,400 feet. Recreation Lake and Pond Fishing Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Sierra Madre Area Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office Hog Park Boat Dock and Ramp Hog Park Campground Hog Park Picnic Site Lake View Picnic Site at Hog Park River and Stream Fishing Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Sierra Madre Area Big Creek-Holroyd Park Trailhead Bottle Creek Campground Bottle Creek Group Picnic Site Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office East Fork - Encampment River Trail Encampment River Wilderness Hog Park Campground Huston Park Wilderness Jack Creek Campground Jack Creek Crew Quarters Jack Creek Guard Station Purgatory Gulch Trailhead Day Hiking Areas for Day Hiking at Sierra Madre Area Baby Lake Trailhead Big Creek Park Trailhead Big Creek-Holroyd Park Trailhead Bottle Creek Campground Bottle Creek Group Picnic Site Bottle Creek Trails Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office CDNST - Deep Jack Trailhead CDNST - Pipeline Trailhead CDNST - Red Mountain Trailhead Commissary Park Trailhead East Fork - Encampment River Trail Encampment River Wilderness Green Mountain Falls Trailhead Green Mountain Trailhead Hog Park Campground Huston Park Wilderness Jack Creek Campground Jack Creek Crew Quarters Lost Creek Campground Purgatory Gulch Trailhead Backpacking Areas for Backpacking at Sierra Madre Area Baby Lake Trailhead Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office CDNST - Deep Jack Trailhead CDNST - Pipeline Trailhead CDNST - Red Mountain Trailhead Commissary Park Trailhead East Fork - Encampment River Trail Encampment River Wilderness Green Mountain Trailhead Huston Park Wilderness Purgatory Gulch Trailhead Viewing Wildlife Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Sierra Madre Area Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office Hog Park Campground Jack Creek Crew Quarters Jack Creek Guard Station Sandstone Cabin Viewing Plants Areas for Viewing Plants at Sierra Madre Area Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District Office Hog Park Camp