Medicine-Bow Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland stretch across a wide band of northern Colorado and southern Wyoming, covering terrain from dense spruce-fir forest to open grassland with dispersed camping access across most of the land. Campgrounds and dispersed campsites in this corridor draw steady check-in volume from June through September when forest roads are clear of snow and the grassland sites are dry enough to access without a high-clearance rig. Reviewers note that the Routt County side near Steamboat Springs gets the most traffic, while Thunder Basin sites to the east run quieter through most of the season.
No water, no restrooms, no trash service at dispersed sites across this land. The 14-day stay limit applies, and campers must move at least 25 miles before setting up again in the same general zone. Free dispersed sites near Steamboat Springs give a more specific starting point if you're targeting the Routt side of the forest.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$20 / night
"Great spot for car camping in Colorado except its distance from Denver. It’s a trek! Takes at least 4 hours (that’s if you’re lucky). Lots to do."
"Big Creek Lakes Campground, Colorado (close to Wyoming border): camping here is only open for 3 months out of the year: June, July & August."
$28 - $36 / night
"Colorado does a great job with their parks and this is no exception. Stayed here spur of the moment booking two nights prior to the stay."
"This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Colorado. We make a habit of visiting the week after Labor Day. The crowds are gone and the campground is peaceful."
"on six mile road near the CO/WY border. We did the float on the North Platte River. This is a minimal campground near the river with nothing more than a vault toilet."
"Potable water a walk aways...may need 3 hands to operate. Excellent hiking opportunities."
"After deciding to take a weekend rafting trip along the Wyoming/Colorado section of the Platte River, we planned to just find dispersed camping options within the surrounding National Forest area."
"Short walk to his/hers vault toilets in day use area. Trash cans nearby. Site was level & accommodated my van. Area for setting up tent. Hammock camping possible."
"There is a nice trail along the river that obviously was made by anglers, but you can go for some ways before it petters out."
"There's a trailhead nearby for Douglas Creek Trail. This is a Wilderness and it is wild. We saw Marmots, Big Horn Sheep, and other wildlife."
$28 - $36 / night
"Nice, quiet site with mountains all around. Walking distance to the trail around the lake. Beautiful view of Hahn's Peak!"
"Lots of access to restrooms & potable water. Lake & shower access is about a mile away drive or 1/2 mile walk on a trail."
$26 / night
"Perfect campsite for being remote but still close to some conveniences if you would like. I stayed with my group of 7 from Thursday 7/23 to Sunday 7/26."
"Great place for a getaway, minutes from multiple hiking trails or streams for some fly fishing. Stop by and visit the store in nearby Clark. "
ScoutI have camped here for years. Nobody really knows why it is called deadman. Make sure to climb the fire tower. Open most weekends. The stars are awesome. Lots of places to hike and ride. Lots of campsites for dispersed camping. The road to the top doesn't open until the first part of July, So down lower gets pretty filled up.I have camped there April through October
ScoutOnly about 15 campsites. They are all very nice. Not very busy unless it is a holiday weekend. Nice little stream next to it. There is a clean outhouse/ vaulted toilet. You can get a cell phone signal about a 1/2 mile farther up the road there is a farmhouse that has a signal. Don't worry its ok to use it, the state pays for it. There is a pull off right in front of the farmhouse. Please don't block the road. Larimie river is not to far away for fishing or just hanging out. You will see wildlife elk, deer, moose.
RangerStayed mid- week in June and very few other campers. Sites were flat and spacious, some along a clear stream. It froze overnight both nights.
Hiking from the campsite, as well as a short drive away. The fun town of Centennial is also a short drive away - the coffee at the little hotel of fabulous!
ScoutGreat spot for a quick one nighter for my car-camp setup. Parked literally 5’ from the water! Sandy beach but does have a bit of a “lake” smell that you’ll get used to quick. Arrived on a Thursday evening towards the end of July. No one else here. Of course next to water the bugs are fierce, but that’s what car window screens are for! 52° tonight, Clear skys, great after gazing after the moon sets!
TravelerMy husband and I stayed at the Ranger Lakes Campground during the Never Summer race weekend, and it was the perfect spot! The race course runs right by the campground, making it incredibly convenient for cheering on the runners. The camp host was fantastic. He was around if you needed anything but never intrusive. It was obvious he took time in maintaining the campground, especially the restrooms. Speaking of the bathrooms—they were the cleanest vault toilets I've ever used! They werent buggy/cobwebby and didn't smell, and were cleaned daily by the camp host. Honestly, that alone is enough to make me come back!😂 As an added bonus, we even had a moose wander right through our campsite, which made for an unforgettable experience. Overall, we had an amazing stay. The campground was clean, quiet, well-maintained, and in a perfect location. We would absolutely stay here again!
ScoutWe use this park when we come out of the mountains boobdocking it makes a good refresher stop and base to go to places around the area.
TravelerFollow signs for Sanger public access. When there’s a sign with an arrow pointing two ways for the camping road, take the left to go towards rover. Incredible views, hardly anyone else there.
TravelerQuiet, well maintained RV park on private land about 7 miles from downtown Steamboat Springs, relatively modest nightly costs for full hookups and all pull through sites. Dog friendly. Lovely Mountain View’s looking across Route 40.
TravelerNice little campground with hiking nearby. Two small sites and two very large ones. There was a fire band when we were there. Very nice hiking trail across the bridge and a short hiking trail from the campground to a waterfall that was beautiful. You can get in the water if you’re careful. Many people driving through on a weekend, looking for sites when none were available. Pit toilet with no dumpster or available water. It was very quiet in the evenings.
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland campsites span elevations from 5,500 to 11,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations even in summer months. At higher elevations, night temperatures commonly drop below 45°F even in July, with frost possible year-round at sites above 9,000 feet. Many campgrounds remain snow-covered until late June, with dirt access roads becoming impassable during spring melt.
Fishing access points: The North Platte River offers exceptional trout fishing at Six Mile Campground, where anglers need flies and lures only. "We were told by Google that this campground was permanently closed, but we went with The Dyrt's info, and it really panned out. We were the only ones there, it was a short walk down to the Platt (flys and lures only), and the tent site, fire-ring, and picnic table were in top notch condition," notes one visitor.
High-elevation hiking: Multiple trails near Seedhouse Campground connect to Mount Zirkel wilderness, with trailheads just 15 minutes from camp. "Trailheads to mount zirkel are 15 minutes away, highly recommend the hike to lake Gilpin," advises a camper. Sites here sit along the Elk River, providing natural white noise for sleeping.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Encampment River area hosts diverse wildlife year-round. "We saw Marmots, Big Horn Sheep, and other wildlife. The mosquitoes were pretty bad everywhere we went in early July. The creeks, mountains, and trees were magnificent," reports a visitor to Pickaroon Campground.
Lakeside recreation: Steamboat Lake State Park provides extensive water activities from multiple campgrounds. "We love camping on Steamboat Lake. It's absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by mountains, and offers plenty to do while visiting, including fishing, boating, biking, and hiking. Visit the Outpost, or Clark Store for lunch, take a bike ride around the lake, fish for dinner, and soak up the sun," shares one regular visitor.
River access: Encampment River Campground offers direct waterfront sites with varied recreational options. "If you like camping, rafting, and fishing, then this is the perfect site! We've gone back year after year and it never disappoints. Each site has a picnic table, a fire pit, and a drive way that can squeeze 2 cars and trailers if they aren't huge," explains a return visitor who appreciates the boat ramp on site.
Remote solitude: For campers seeking isolation, dispersed camping locations throughout the forest provide true wilderness experiences. "Absolutely gorgeous," notes a visitor to Gilpin Lake, continuing: "Hit this one on an overnight backpacking trip and boy was this just paradise. Awesome little trip with never ending amazing views. Definitely a little windy at the top and the hike back wasn't my favorite but wouldn't recommend it enough. Snow at top... be prepared."
Limited services: Most campgrounds provide only basic amenities. "No water nor power and I did not see the vault toilet mentioned, but I wasn't looking for it. They do have trash containers," reports an Encampment River visitor. At remote sites, carrying supplies becomes essential.
Challenging access roads: Many campgrounds require traveling unpaved roads that deteriorate quickly. "4 wheel drive a must if it's wet. Most traffic is day use fishermen and is the end of the forest road," notes a Pickaroon visitor, while another adds: "Tight switchbacks on the final decent into the campground will be a challenge for anything 20+."
Extreme weather variations: Big Creek Lakes Campground sits above 9,000 feet with a short season. "It's camping at over 9,000ft elevation and requires for you to be extra prepared for snow even in the summer months, bears, mountain lions, mosquitos, aggressive horse flies, leeches, strong winds, thunder storms and altitude sickness," warns one camper about conditions even during the June-August open season.
Check amenities carefully: Family-friendly sites offer specific facilities. "There are pit toilets throughout the campground that appeared to be very well maintained and cleaned often. There are also numerous water spigots throughout with potable water," notes a Big Creek Lakes visitor who camped with five children.
Wildlife education opportunities: Small wildlife provides learning opportunities for children. "We had hundreds of chipmunks visit us each day to clean up the kids' crumbs. We also saw antelope and deer on the drive in and several moose, elk and a coyote off the highway," reports a family that visited Big Creek Lakes.
Choose accessible activities: Some campgrounds offer family programming. "The park had a lot of events and we did a nocturnal night hike and a star party the next. 10/10," shares a visitor to Sunrise Vista Campground at Steamboat Lake, noting the convenient "Lots of access to restrooms & potable water."
Site selection considerations: RVers should research specific site dimensions. At Sunrise Vista, one camper reports: "Got a pull through site for my R-Pod. Level site with 15/30/50. No water or sewer on site but nice dump station and water taps everywhere."
Road clearance requirements: High-clearance vehicles fare better on forest roads. "We are in a 24' Class C and dirt road and steep approach were not a problem. Other campers were in trailers (nothing huge) and/or tents," notes an Encampment River visitor, while another mentions "Site 94 is a bit steep, but offers a fairly level spot once you travel down into it."
Seasonal considerations: Higher elevations mean limited access periods. "Depending upon chosen site, good views of lake or Hawn's park. Site 42 just glimpses of lake. Campground was nearly empty mid week late September," notes a visitor about off-season camping at Sunrise Vista.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest campgrounds?
Amenities vary widely across Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest campgrounds. Encampment River Campground offers vault toilets, trash cans, and well water pumps for $10 per night ($5 with senior/interagency passes). Meadows Campground provides easy highway access while maintaining a wilderness feel. Many campgrounds like Hog Park and Seedhouse feature potable water and vault toilets. State Park campgrounds such as Steamboat Lake offer more extensive facilities, with some sites providing electrical hookups, dump stations, and boat rentals. Most developed campgrounds include picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets at minimum. Higher-elevation sites typically have shorter operating seasons with fewer amenities, while lower-elevation campgrounds may offer more facilities and longer seasons.
Where are the best campgrounds in Medicine Bow National Forest?
Freeman Reservoir Campground is highly rated with excellent hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. Campers describe it as a "10/10" experience, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Hahns Peak Lake Campground impresses visitors with its exceptional layout, generous spacing between sites, and stunning views. Located about an hour north of Steamboat, this gem offers a beautiful lake setting for paddling and relaxation. Other excellent options include North Michigan Campground and Meadows Campground, which provides easy highway access while still offering a secluded feel. For those seeking a unique experience, the State Forest State Park area offers fantastic wildlife viewing with abundant moose sightings.
What are the best seasons for camping in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest?
Summer is the prime season for camping in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, with the most reliable weather from mid-June through August. Big Creek Lakes Campground is only open during these three months due to its 9,000+ foot elevation, and campers should be prepared for potential snow even in summer. Early fall (September) can be magical with fewer crowds and migrating wildlife, as experienced at Dutch Hill Campground — Steamboat Lake State Park. The week after Labor Day offers peaceful camping with amenities still operating but without summer crowds. Late spring (May-June) and early fall bring cooler temperatures and changing colors, though higher elevations may still have snow or close earlier in the season.
Is dispersed camping allowed in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed throughout Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Chambers Lake Dispersed Camping offers free sites for those seeking a more primitive experience. The Primitive Sites — State Forest State Park area provides excellent dispersed camping opportunities, particularly along the American Lakes Trail. Standard dispersed camping rules apply: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings where available, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Most dispersed sites are accessible via forest roads, with stays typically limited to 14 days. No permits are required, but be prepared for no amenities – bring your own water, pack out all waste, and check for seasonal fire restrictions before your trip.
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