Established Camping

Summit Lake

4 Reviews

About

National Forest

Summit Lake Campground generally does not open until Mid July and is located on Buffalo Pass in the Steamboat Springs Area. It provides 9 back-in campsites and 6 walk-in tent sites. Each site has a table and a fire grate, and vault toilets and trash service is offered. Day Use is also obtainable in two parking lots provided for the visitor to use while fishing or picnicking. Only hand powered watercraft are permitted on Summit Lake, with no boat ramp available. This campground provides great opportunities for mountain biking, dirt biking and ATVing, horseback riding, fishing and hiking. It is located near the boundary of Mount Zirkel Wilderness which offers numerous backcountry opportunities. This campground is managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District.

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

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Grace B.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2021

One of the best nights of my life!

We caught a beautiful sunset on the way up. Saw and heard wildlife. Stars were AMAZING that night. Saw so many shooting stars. We had perfect weather when we went.

Site4

Month of VisitSeptember

Ann M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Hidden Gem

Beautiful quiet campground but a little hard to get to. Road from the east is much better than from Steamboat Springs. Quiet , well maintained, more suited to car/tent camping. Great views of lake from many sites. Grills, tables, trash and toilets, No water. Went on weeknight in July and it was about 3/4 full

Site2

Month of VisitAugust

Jennicca T.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2019

Worth The Bumpy Drive Up

The lake was beautiful. We went in July 2018 not really knowing what we were getting into. Google maps will tell you it is a 20 min drive from Steamboat... It does not take into account driving slow due to the road condition. The drive time is actually about 45 min to an hour. I did see small cars attempt to go up but I highly recommend 4x4 to get there.

If you're willing to make the trek it is definitely worth it! The drive actually has some great views on the way up. Lots of trails for biking, hiking or ATVs. When we went it was relatively quiet and very busy. We also went the weekend of the balloon festival so I expected it to be much busier.

Overall would so again if my main goal was to hike or do activities in that area. This is not a campground to stay at if you plan on doing activities in Steamboat, unless you don't mind the drive up.

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Location

Summit Lake is located in Colorado

Directions

Directions from Steamboat Springs: Travel 2 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road 36 (Strawberry Park Road), then 13 miles northeast on Routt County Road 38 (Buffalo Pass Road). Campground is at the summit.