RV Camping Near Steamboat Lake State Park
ShareHigh up in the Colorado mountains, around 8,100 feet in elevation, Steamboat Lake sits in a gorgeous valley surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks on all sides. Some have even called it one of the top 10 prettiest lakes in Colorado. With so much to do year-round, RV camping in Steamboat Lake State Park is sure to be a vacation to remember and a place you’ll want to come back to again and again.
Steamboat Lake State Park Facts
Let’s get familiar with some of the most interesting Steamboat Lake State Park facts to help you plan for your epic adventure.
- Steamboat Lake is a man-made reservoir created from 1967 to 1968.
- The lake covers over 1,000 acres.
- There are more than 35 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing or snowshoeing spread throughout the park. If that’s not enough, the surrounding Routt National Forest provides so much more to explore.
- Averaging 300 inches of snowfall per year, winter activities are just as popular as summer activities at this state park.
Now that you’re knowledgeable about the state park, let’s continue to the best Steamboat Lake State Park RV parks.
Best Steamboat Lake State Park RV Parks and Campgrounds
RV camping near Steamboat Lake State Park provides a perfect opportunity to stay right in the middle of the incredible wildlife and plant life on offer. Try one of these RV campgrounds near Steamboat Lake State Park to stay in the middle of the action.
Dutch Hill Campground
This Steamboat Lake State Park RV campground makes for a comfortable and enjoyable vacation. Dutch Hill Campground is conveniently located right next to the Marina, where there are plenty of amenities to make your stay comfortable. Enjoy the camp store and camper services building with showers and laundry. Also, make use of the beautiful beach in the summer located within this campground.
For RV Camping, you’ll need to stay in the Wheeler Loop with 50 amp electrical outlets. There is a mix of pull-through and back-in sites.
Capacity: 37 electric RV sites
More Information: Dutch Hill Campground
Sunrise Vista Campground
Sunrise Vista Campground is also an RV campground in Steamboat Lake State Park itself. You can get to the Dutch Hill Campground amenities and Marina area by a short one-quarter mile trail. There is also an amphitheater on-site for park-led programming at Sunrise Vista.
Stay in either the Larkspur, Lupine, or Yarrow loops for 50 amp electrical outlets for your RV.
Capacity: 36 electric RV sites
More Information: Sunrise Vista Campground
Steamboat Lake Marina Lot
In the winter, Steamboat Lake State Park does provide 14 electric hookups for RVs in the Marina Parking Lot. These spots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot be reserved. You will still need a camping and vehicle permit to use these facilities.
Capacity: 14 RV sites
More Information: Steamboat Lake Marina Lot
Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse
Located just outside the park, Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse is a mere three-minute drive from the park. Here you can find six more sites for RV camping near Steamboat Lake State Park, including two sites for horse camping. Unfortunately, there are no bathrooms or shower facilities, so all RVs must be fully self-contained.
Take advantage of the main lodge’s bar and restaurant as well as year-round activity rentals such as ATVs, snowmobiles, and horseback rides.
Capacity: 6 electric-only RV sites. No tent camping is allowed.
More Information: Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse
Eagle Soaring RV Park
The furthest RV park near Steamboat Lake, Eagle Soaring RV Park is the most traditional RV park on the list. Still only a 40-minute drive from the park, enjoy a number of mountain activities in the surrounding area as well as the small town of Steamboat Springs.
All sites are 70 feet long and are pull-through. This is the only offering nearby that has full hookups, including water and sewer. Additionally, this park offers free Wi-Fi, picnic and BBQ areas, and full bathrooms.
Capacity: 20–25 RV sites
More Information: Eagle Soaring RV Park
Best Time To Visit Steamboat Lake State Park for RV Camping
Whether you are camping in the park or just nearby, winter and summer are the two best times to visit Steamboat Lake State Park.
Winter
From December through February, the winter brings a lot of snow and quickly transforms the park into a snowy playground. Fans of snowy activities such as snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and even ice fishing will have plenty to do. Check out the winter activities brochure for ice safety tips and clearly marked trails for motorized and non-motorized exploration.
Spring
March through May sees a steady climb in temperatures, with averages starting in the upper 30s Fahrenheit and climbing to the 60s by the end of the season. Expect plenty of snow and rain still, but ice is less likely. Based on the conditions, the lake may open to boats as early as May 1st. This is the season to enjoy snowy land activities and enjoy the park with few other visitors until the boating season begins.
Summer
June through August are the busiest and most popular times to visit Steamboat Lake State Park. The temperatures rise into the 70s, and the water temperatures also climb into the low 70s. So make your reservations early to take advantage of this beautiful valley lake and all of the warm-weather activities this park has to offer. Licensed hunters can even enjoy a huntable section of this park between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Fall
September through November are the end of the drier summer and fall seasons. Temperatures fall back from the 70s to the upper 30s, with a higher chance of snowfall starting in early November. The Lake is closed to boats on November 1st, but that still leaves plenty of time to enjoy the park and its prized lake before the weather shifts. Fall brings fewer crowds and more seclusion.
Things To Do in Steamboat Lake State Park
No matter when you choose to visit Steamboat Lake State Park, there are always so many things to do in Steamboat Lake State Park.
In the snowy months between November and March, check out activities such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, and snowshoeing. Ski and snowshoe rentals, as well as guided snowmobile tours, are available out of Steamboat Springs, about an hour from the park.
In the warmer months, Steamboat Lake State Park is still buzzing with activities in and out of the water. Hitch your bike to the RV and try biking the seven miles of mountain bike trails or even taking a guided horseback tour. There are three hiking trails for those who like a slower pace that show off the wonderful flora and fauna of the park. Keep your eyes to the skies, birdwatchers, as there are often nesting Bald Eagles and Osprey.
In the water, there are motorized and non-motorized areas of the lake. Catch up to four trout per day or speed along on a jet ski. Paddleboarding is also a popular activity on the lake, and many watercraft can be rented directly from the Marina. Swimming is allowed from the beach, but not in any other part of the lake.
Tips For Visiting Steamboat Lake State Park
Steamboat Lake State Park is a gorgeous oasis in a valley surrounded by mountains. Make sure your vehicle is prepared for the conditions of the forest roads, especially in winter.
For access to more trails and nature to explore, plan to stay an extra day or two to take advantage of the surrounding Routt National Forest. Or, try visiting Pearl Lake, Steamboat Lake’s smaller (wakeless) sister only about 15 miles east.
Steamboat Lake State Park is busiest during the summer, but you can still enjoy all of the summer’s exciting family activities into the early fall as crowds thin, but the weather still cooperates. Make reservations early to ensure your spot in this beautiful park.
RV Rental for Steamboat Lake State Park
The breathtaking mountainous lake views at Steamboat Lake make this state park a must-visit. The cabins on-site fill up quickly, but there are plenty of electric campsites that are perfect for an RV stay. Enjoy the amenities of a home away from home in a lakeside or forested site with an RV rental from Cruise America. Contact Cruise America to find a rental location near you and reserve the perfect RV!