Dry Lake Campground (CO)

Road into Dry Lake Campground with sign and trees

Photo · USFS

Not publishedStatus

ReservableAccess

22Sites

92 ftMax rig

The place

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. Keep reading

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.

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

The sites · 22

Loop	Site	Type	Max rig	Electric
Dry Lake	10	standard nonelectric	50 ft	No
Dry Lake	11	standard nonelectric	83 ft	No
Dry Lake	12	standard nonelectric	76 ft	No
Dry Lake	13	standard nonelectric	—	No
Dry Lake	14	standard nonelectric	73 ft	No
Dry Lake	15	standard nonelectric	—	No
Dry Lake	16	standard nonelectric	71 ft	No
Dry Lake	17	standard nonelectric	58 ft	No
Dry Lake	18	standard nonelectric	68 ft	No
Dry Lake	19	standard nonelectric	—	No
Dry Lake	20	standard nonelectric	92 ft	No
Dry Lake	21	standard nonelectric	—	No
Dry Lake	22	standard nonelectric	67 ft	No
Dry Lake	9	standard nonelectric	73 ft	No
	1	standard nonelectric	90 ft	No
	2	standard nonelectric	71 ft	No
	3	standard nonelectric	86 ft	No
	4	standard nonelectric	—	No
	5	standard nonelectric	—	No
	6	standard nonelectric	60 ft	No
	7	standard nonelectric	58 ft	No
	8	standard nonelectric	71 ft	No

SRC · Recreation.gov RIDB full extract · 2026-08-23

Booking

183 daysBooking window before arrival

Recreation.gov default: most campsites can be booked six months prior to arrival date. Most campgrounds go on sale at 7am PT / 8am MT / 10am ET, but not always; check the facility Seasons and Fees tab. Some locations also offer shorter supplemental booking windows.

Book on recreation.gov

SRC · Rules verified against recreation.gov · 2026-08-24

Your representative

This campground sits in CO-02. This member’s public-lands record →

SRC · U.S. Census TIGER · MTJP Scorecard