Big Creek Lakes Campground sits above 9,000 feet in Colorado's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, offering primitive equestrian access to the Continental Divide Trail. The campground operates from June through early September, limited by high elevation weather conditions. The area provides access to extensive wilderness trail systems while requiring significant travel on rough gravel roads.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: State Forest State Park contains numerous fishing spots with clear alpine waters. At Ranger Lakes Campground, visitors find "BEAUTIFUL clear waters, PLENTY of trout, and great trails through the woods to explore" according to Gary E.
Hiking to alpine destinations: Several trails lead to high-country lakes and viewpoints. The North Michigan Campground area provides access to Lake Agnes Trail. As Amanda M. reports, "We settled on Lake Agnes. It was a steep climb but well worth it. We alternated looking at the beauty of Lake Agnes and watching the skiers hiking to the top."
Wildlife viewing: The region serves as Colorado's primary moose habitat. "The park encompasses almost 71,000 acres. You will find a visitor center, 187 campsites for RV and tent and over 60 dispersed sites," notes one visitor to Ranger Lakes Campground.
What campers like
Remote locations: The isolation appeals to many visitors seeking quiet camping experiences. At Laramie River Road Dispersed, campers appreciate the solitude. "Very quiet from planes and light or any other noise pollution caught some epic views of does bucks a moose and a family of black bears," notes Shawn L.
Natural water features: Many campgrounds provide lakeside or riverside camping. At Walden Reservoir Dispersed Camping, Quinn M. describes it as "simple, and easy place to get to… flat awesome sunset."
Variety of camping options: The forest offers established campgrounds, cabins, yurts, and dispersed sites. North Michigan Campground visitor B.B. notes "State Forest State Park is enormous, but we were in a small campground with only five sites—four on them are right on the water. We were able to paddle board and fish right from our campsite, and had a wonderful fresh trout dinner."
What you should know
Weather considerations: High elevations mean unpredictable conditions even in summer. At Teal Lake Group Campsite, campers should arrive prepared for mountain weather shifts. Tarah W. describes it as "a dream. The lake is incredible and the panoramic view is out of this world. I was fortunate to drive in right around sunset and the whole valley was lit with a glorious red light."
Insect protection: Multiple campgrounds report significant mosquito and biting fly populations. Walden Reservoir visitor Kathryn B. warns, "Easy to get to. Lovely to see. Pelicans and seagulls. Flat, no trees and darned few bushes taller than sage. SO MANY BUGS."
Road access challenges: Many campgrounds require travel on rough forest roads. Sarah C. at Dry Lake Campground cautions about the journey to nearby camping: "You will have to travel down a gravel/dirt road for ~30 miles to get to the lake and campground. Sections of it are TERRIBLY washboarded. Plan for over an hour to navigate through."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Several sites offer family-friendly water recreation. North Michigan visitor Meghan H. reports, "Something for everyone. My dog could swim in North Michigan reservoir. The kids could ride bikes in trails and throw rocks in the water. Hiking was fun."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds report frequent wildlife sightings for children to enjoy. Darla R. notes at Laramie River Road that "We have had full grown moose run through our camp site and there has been reports of black bears near by as well as elk and deer."
Winter cabin options: For cold-weather visits with children, consider renting a cabin. North Michigan visitor Hayley K. shares, "We stayed in cabin #3 and it was an awesome experience! We had room enough for 4 people and 3 dogs and didn't feel like we were on top of each other. The gas stove kept us nice and toasty all night long!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many campgrounds have varying site sizes and configurations. Dry Lake Campground recently underwent improvements as Chad H. notes, "Many of the sites and one bathroom seem to be recently updated. The pull through sites have very long driveways with nice level spots. The tent areas look great."
Limited hookup availability: Most Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests campgrounds offer primitive camping with minimal amenities. At Ranger Lakes, Alan G. mentions, "Only has electric and water hookup and the dump station was not convenient. Saw moose from the campsite. Clean and very quiet."
High clearance requirements: Dispersed camping areas often require appropriate vehicles. Buffalo Pass visitor Robbie advises, "Buff pass gate is open and you can mob over it if you have high clearance, 4wd, and definitely winter tires. It gets sketchy at some points, but you have your pick of camp sites."
