Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Yampa, CO has a lot to offer. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Yampa is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Yampa, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"Please make sure you are leaving no trace! There are a lot of people around this area, please do your part to keep the land as natural as possible. The poop fairy does NOT live here- pack it out!"
"However what I found was designated site only camping mostly on the side of the road and they were not free. $10/night"
"We spent the weekend near Crosho lake and had an awesome time! The trail to the lake is bumpy, and I would recommend a 4x4 vehicle to get to this lake."
"The site was really clean and even though we headed up Friday morning there were still a ton a spaces. There was enough space that even our group of 8 was secluded. Fishing in the lake was great."
"Spots for dispersed camping around the reservoir are only around the one end of the road and there are a good half dozen or so but they are all pretty good sized."
"Great sites, lake is awesome. some cell service no tv or radio stations. Taylor park is a very busy place so choose the right spot for your experience."
"Blue Lake is by far one of the most serene glacial lakes in the area and offers multiple primitive camp sites designated by fire rings."
"Many options to stay including walk in camping and covered wagon cabins. There is a long steepish trail that leads to many camp sites along the river."
LegendWe stayed at the Gore Creek Campground last summer 2017 on a drive from Southern California to Denver, CO. We took highway 15 through Nevada and Utah, and connected to Highway 70 in Utah to Colorado. To budget this trip, we tried to camp most of the way out and back to California - we saved our Airbnb rentals for Denver, where I️ was competing in Pole Theatre USA, an international pole dancing competition. We wanted to find a spot to camp for the night that was close to highway 70 and not toooooo far outside of Denver - Gore Creek Campground was the spot. It’s about 10-15 minutes outside of Vail, and about and hour and a half outside of Denver.
Campsites at Gore Creek are reservable ahead of time on recreation.org - we planned this trip about 6 months in advanced so had no problem reserving a site for one night on a weeknight. This campground is fairly small, however, with fewer than 30 sites, so I️ imagine it fills up quickly during the peak summer months. There are mostly drive-in sites in this campground, but there were some neat walk-in sites in a loop beyond the drive-in sites.
Gore Creek is a beautiful wooded campground that sits next to Gore Creek. There are a few ‘riverside sites’ in the campground, that were 60 yards or so from the creek. We had our pick of the sites that many months in advanced, so we chose site 9 as it appeared to be well secluded and close to the river - both were true! The area is densely wooded, so the sites have a lot of privacy, and the sound of the river is relaxing and peaceful at night, and drowned out most of the noise pollution from the nearby highway.
Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The camp hosts were extremely kind and welcoming, and kept the grounds and the vault toilets very clean. There is NO WATER available at Gore Creek, so make sure to bring in plenty of water for cooking, washing, and drinking.
WARNING: You ARE in bear country - be bear smart and safe and use your bear box! We had our own bear box in our campsite - I believe each site has its own food locker. Try to lock all of your food and toiletries inside the food locker - they are large, and we have always been able to fit our big cooler into locker. If you do have to leave a cooler in the car, I was once told by a ranger in Yosemite NP that bears can recognize coolers when peering into car windows - he suggested putting put a towel and gear over your coolers when keeping them in the car overnight in bear territory.
There is a lot of beautiful hiking trails in the Vail - Gore Creek area. We did not have much time to explore as I️ had an appointment in Denver in the afternoon, but the area is absolutely gorgeous.
CAMPSITE SPECS
Fees: $25/night
Plumbed Toilets: NO - vault
Water: NO
Showers: NO
Picnic Table: Yes
Firepit: Yes
Cooking Grate: Yes
Shade: Yes
Cell Service: Yes
Trash: Yes
Animal Bins/Food Lockers: YES
LegendGeneral: A mix of pull-thru RV sites, back-in van sites, and walk-in tent sites. We called about two weeks prior and were happy to secure a site on a Saturday at the very end of April. This campground is located right on I70 so you will definitely hear highway noise (and occasional train noise). The sites are stacked on a hillside and as would be expected in an RV park, there is little separation/privacy between sites. The road in is a bit rough but so were many of the area roads after a harsh winter.
Site Quality: Sites are gravel. Site 55 was just long enough for our 18-foot van to fit. Not all of the van sites had picnic tables, but our site had a table where we could set up our camp stove and we ate inside our van. It also looked like there was a gas grill that might be shared for the van sites, but we didn’t inquire about it/use it. We had a fire pit but didn’t use it. Fires are NOT permitted in the RV sites and although there was a sign indicating a fire ban, you could speak with the office to see if fires are currently permitted in designated campfire pits.
Bath/Shower house: Was very clean and nicely appointed. Did not use the shower.
We chose this campground knowing we would hear highway noise, but it was a convenient location for our hike to Hanging Lake the next day. Craig was very welcoming both on the phone and upon our arrival.
LegendThis small CG has 11 FCFS sites. About 1/2 are RV or trailer size. Trappers lake complex is about 5 mi. Campground host onsite, firewood for sale. $22/$12 senior. No cell signal on T-Mobile for me. CG has tables, fire rings, one vault toilet and one dumpster. Bear boxes are at each site. NO WATER, system looks to be kaput. Trail goes down to river for fishing.
GuideEstablished campground with basics like a fire ring, picnic table and vault toilets. No water. If you are wanting a few days away from everything and willing to drive on dirt/gravel roads to get here, it is an awesome place to camp. Bring everything you need because there are no quick trips to a store out here. The river that flows into the lake is adjacent to campsite #1 and makes for a great night of sleep. The view waking up to the lake with the snow capped mountains in the background is truly a Colorado experience if that is what you’re looking for.
TravelerThis campground is located on Gore Creek. The surrounding area is beautiful. It's appropriately 10 minutes from Vail and quite. The bathrooms are vaulted toilets and the roads are all dirt. I would not attempt this campground in a rig over 35 feet as it becomes very tight in and out. Being situated on Gore Creek the sounds of the dancing waters are right with you. There are several hiking paths throughout the campground. There is no electricity, dump or water available here so make sure you have plenty before you get in. There is firewood for sale at the camp host site. There are fire rings, picnic tables and bear proff lockers at each site. Nice place to re focus. Verizon worked well. Have fun and safe travels.
TravelerBeautiful 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
GuideWe pulled off Route 40 at 7pm on the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend and were able to nab the last camping spot. Each campsite has a place for 2 cars, a picnic table, flat places for 2-3 tents, and a fire ring with an adjustable grill. Plenty of shady trees to hang your hammock from and enough space between campsites to give you some privacy. There were many RV's and family groups set up when we camped, though noise was not an issue.
Sites are $10/night payable by cash or personal check at the entrance. There are campground hosts just as you drive in, though they were not present the night we visited. Two different park rangers came by to check on all sites in the morning (payment and fire safety, I believe). Campground offers 2 pit toilets and a trash dumpster at the entrance.
The site is close enough to the road that you can hear when cars go by, especially when they drift onto the rumble strips (which happens frequently). Bring headphones if you're a light sleeper.
GuideLovely campground with gorgeous views! The path to the campsites in the loop we stayed was short but steep so beware if you have breathing conditions or heavy gear. Hands down the cleanest vault toilets I’ve ever seen. No odor at all! There is no water, so plan for that. And use. The. Bear boxes!
RangerThis is a pretty, but small lake. It's nice to be able to camp so close to the lake, but ultimately you are shoulder to shoulder with your neighbors and your are fully exposed to the wind and sun. The Summer is packed. Winter you will be by yourself.
Perhaps this is nice if you have kids, want to allow them on the lake but in close view, and are new to camping. But ultimately, this is not that great of a place.
Leave no trace.
Yampa, Colorado, offers a stunning backdrop for tent camping enthusiasts, with a variety of well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor lovers seeking adventure and tranquility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Yampa, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Yampa, CO is Bear River Designated Dispersed with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 42 tent camping locations near Yampa, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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