Fishing, paddling, and hiking all converge at Sylvan Lake, a 42-acre reservoir set within alpine forest at 8,500 feet in the White River National Forest outside Eagle, Colorado. Non-motorized watercraft only, so the lake stays accessible to canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards, and trout fishing draws consistent attention from campers. A shoreline trail loops the lake and accommodates both hikers and cyclists, while the West Brush Creek Trail extends deeper into the surrounding terrain. Winter visitors can snowshoe or cross-country ski the same routes.
Campsites vary considerably depending on where you land. Lakefront sites sit close together with limited tree cover, leaving them exposed to wind and sun. Several reviewers note the open exposure can be a real factor, particularly on gusty days. Sites set further back tend to have more spacing. In fall, the aspens around the lake shift color noticeably, and one camper found the sites "very spacious and spaced well apart" during an October visit, suggesting the campground feels different once summer crowds thin out. Summer weekends get busy enough that arriving without a reservation is a gamble.
The campground has full hookup sites accommodating RVs up to 40 feet, along with cabins and yurts for those who prefer a roof. Flush toilets, hot showers, and potable water are available on-site. A day-use area with grills and picnic tables sits separate from the camping areas. Note that a daily park pass is required in addition to the campsite fee, which runs $28 to $190 per night depending on site type.
The access road runs roughly 15 miles south of Eagle. Fain H. notes that "low clearance is fine to get out here," though conditions worsen in bad weather, and winter travel likely requires all-wheel drive. Campers who want more solitude or dispersed options can look at LEDE Reservoir Campground - Dispersed to the west or Yeoman Park to the northeast. Sylvan Lake works well for anglers, paddlers, and families comfortable with an active, lake-centered setup who don't mind the proximity of neighbors during peak season.
Description
Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, Sylvan Lake State Park is a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors. Surrounded by the White River National Forest, Sylvan Lake offers a spectacular setting for boat and shore fishing, a great spot for picnicking, hiking and outdoor photography at the foot of beautiful wooded mountains. There are 44 campsites, 9 cabins, and 3 yurts available to reserve for overnight stays.
There are a total of 44 campsites. Sites 1-34 in Elk Run Campground include sites with views of the lake or down the Brush Creek Valley. Sites 35-44 in Fisherman's Paradise Campground include pull-through and back in sites near the lake. Sites accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. There are no individual site hook ups. The camper services building provides flush toilets and coin showers during summer. Drinking water and vault toilets are available year-round.
NO-SHOW Policy
If you do not arrive to the park within 24 hours of your scheduled check in time and do not notify the park that you will be arriving late, your site may be resold and may not be available when you arrive. The fees for any nights passed are non-refundable.
Changes and Cancellations
- Cancellations or changes may be made online 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or through the Aspira Call Center at 1-800-244-5613.
- Reservations where one or more dates fall outside of the 6-month booking window are frozen for 14 days.
- Cancellations:
- If the cancellation is made 28 days or more prior to the arrival date, 25% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained
- If the cancellation is made 8-27 days prior to the arrival date, 50% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the cancellation is made 7 days or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If a reservation is cancelled at any time after the arrival date, any nights prior to the cancellation are NON-REFUNDABLE
- Changes:
- If a change in the reservation is made 28 days or more prior to the arrival date, 10% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If a change in the reservation is made 8-27 days prior to the arrival date, 15% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If a change in the reservation is made 7 days or less prior to arrival, 20% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained.
- If the change in the reservation dates is made between the day after the arrival date and the departure date, the fees for any nights or days passed are NON-REFUNDABLE.
- There is no additional fee to add days to a reservation.
- The reservation holder is responsible for any difference in use fees.
- Customers who wish to receive a refund outside of these rules will need to contact the park at which they have the reservation directly.
- No exceptions to the refund policy will be given for bugs, bad weather, campfire bans, water conditions (including water levels, boat ramp or swim beach closures, and algae)!
- If the original reservation was made directly with the park, any refunds resulting from changes/cancellations will be issued via personal check and may take up to 90 days from the date of the change/cancellation to be processed.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Colorado weather can be unpredictable: be prepared for a variety of weather conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, wind, rain, and snow (even in the summer). CPW does not grant exceptions to the refund policy for weather conditions.
Please use www.cpwshop.com to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers. **No-show policy:** If you are unable to occupy your site on the first day of your reservation, please call the park office in order to notify park staff. Otherwise, your reservation will be considered a "no-show" and your site may be resold. "No-show" reservations are ineligible for a refund for those nights or days passed and the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSylvan Lake Campground is located in Colorado near White River National Forest
Directions
To Sylvan Lake, Cabins, Campsites: Take I-70 to Eagle (Exit 147). Turn south through the Eby Creek roundabouts, under the railroad and across the river, then west on US HWY 6 (Grand Ave) for 0.9 miles. At the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto Sylvan Lake Road for 1.7 miles. Turn south on Brush Creek Road and travel 9 miles to the Visitor Center. Continue on Brush Creek Road until the road forks and becomes dirt. At the fork stay right and travel 5 miles to the lake, campground and cabins. To Brush Creek Yurts: Follow above directions until fork in road. Take left fork and travel 4.5 miles. The Yurts are on the left at the top of the switchbacks. The Yurts are 9.5 miles from the lake. For more information about the park or current conditions visit https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/sylvanlake or call (970) 328-2021.
Address
PO. Box 1475 <br> 10200 Brush Creek Road
Eagle, CO 81631
Coordinates
39.4801231 N
106.73406875 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 23 min from Grand Junction, CO
- 2 hrs 42 min from Denver, CO
- 2 hrs 52 min from Boulder, CO
- 3 hrs 30 min from Colorado Springs, CO
