• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Camping near Craig Colorado
Camping near Craig, Colo. Photo: Brittany Woiderski

Camping near Craig and Hayden

August 27, 2021 By //  by Randy Tucker

FacebookTwitter

There are plenty of public lands to explore near Craig and Hayden, CO, with ample campgrounds to accommodate travelers. From national forest and BLM land to private RV parks, you’ll find a lot of camping opportunities.

Nestled in the northwest region of Colorado, Craig is a true western town with a lot to offer the outdoorsman.ย With nearly 9,000 residents, Craig is both the most populous city and county seat of Moffat County. It acts as a gateway to Northwest Colorado and its seldom visited attractions.

The Yampa River flows from Steamboat Springs west past Hayden and Craig, providing countless recreational opportunities and campgrounds along its course. There’s also plenty of outdoor recreation found within the Routt National Forest and various BLM lands around town.

List of campgrounds by Hayden and Craig, CO, in order of proximity:

Camping near Hayden

Hayden Colorado Jefferson Avenue Highway 40
Jefferson Avenue (Highway 40) thru Hayden. Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Head west of Steamboat Springs on Highway 40 and you’ll come to Hayden in approximately thirty minutes. For those looking to explore the tourist attractions of Steamboat, but still get a taste of small town western Colorado, Hayden makes a great base. With a population of near 2,000 people, it has just enough facilities to supply what you need. It’s home to the Yampa Valley Regional Airport (HDN), which serves Steamboat and Craig. ย There’s one RV park in town open year round, as well as a state park campground only a few miles west.

Routt County Fairgrounds RV Park

Located in downtown Hayden, this small RV park has all the amenities with an emphasis on equestrian and rodeo activities. A good base camp for hunting in the area in the fall and a good location for summertime recreation.

  • Closest town: Hayden (0mi) Craig (17mi)
  • Specs: 23 sites, 9 full-hookups, 14 electric only, water, flush toilets, open year-round
  • Amenities: Corrals, showers, loading chute
  • Reservations: Yes, at reserveamerica.com
  • Address: 398 South Poplar Street, Hayden, CO 81639 (Map)
  • Directions: From Craig go South on Russell Street .2 miles. Turn left on East 4th Street go .2 miles. Take a slight left onto U.S. East .1 miles. Turn right on U.S. 40 East / East Victory Way go 16.5 miles. Turn right on South Poplar Street .3 miles.
Headquarters Campground Yampa River State Park Hayden CO
Headquarters Campground at Yampa River State Park, Hayden.

Yampa River State Park – Headquarters Campground

The headquarters of the Yampa River State Park is located only a few minutes from downtown Hayden. The campground there is well suited for RVs with nearly three dozen electric sites, as well as tent only sites. This state park is centered around the Yampa River, which provides recreational fishing and rafting. There’s also a playground on-site and the state park’s visitor center.

  • Closest town: Hayden (2mi), Craig (14mi)
  • Specs: 49 sites; 35 of which have electric hookups, 14 are tent and tipi sites
  • Amenities: Camper Services Building with showers, flush facilities, and laundry
  • Reservations: Yes, required at cpwshop.com or call 800-244-5613
  • Address: 6185 US-40, Hayden, CO 81639 (Map)
  • Directions: From Hayden take Highway 40 west for about 3 miles until you reach the headquarters for Yampa River State Park.

Camping near Craig

Craig CO Country Landscape
Landscape near Craig CO. Photo: Brittany Woiderski

At nearly four hours northwest of Denver, Craig, CO, is one place where you can really get away from the crowds. It’s known as the “elk hunting capital of the world”, attracting sportsmen from all over the globe. Whether you’re into fishing, hunting, off-roading, or just want a base camp to explore the rest of Northwest Colorado, such as Dinosaur National Monument or Browns Park Wildlife Refuge, Craig makes a solid starting point. There are numerous places to camp near Craig, including at Elkhead Reservoir State Park.

Craig KOA

This KOA is rated as one of the best in the entire organization. With full amenities, games, and recreational facilities it has something for everyone in the family. Boating, tubing and canoeing are available nearby and its close proximity to Craig offers easy access to restaurants, stores, and sightseeing.

  • Closest town: Craig (1mi)
  • Specs: 95 sites, full service, showers, water, open year-round
  • Amenities: Store, playground, propane refueling
  • Reservations: Yes, at Koa.com
  • Address: 2800 East, US Highway 40, Craig, CO 81625 (Map)
  • Directions: From Craig take US Highway 40 East 1.5 miles. The campground will be on the right.

Elkhead Reservoir State Park – Pronghorn Campground

This popular year-round campground has the boat ramp for the 900 acre Elkhead Reservoir in the camping loop. It is operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Appropriate state camping and boating permits are required. A popular spot for anglers, water skiers, and powerboating. Nearby trails beckon hikers, horseback riders and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. This is a prime site for hunters during the autumn. The Lake is open for boating from May 9 to September 30. There is no water at the campground so plan accordingly.

  • Closest town: Craig (10mi)
  • Specs: 30 sites, vault toilet, no water, open year-round
  • Amenities: Electric hookups, boat ramps on Elkhead Reservoir
  • Reservations: Yes, at cpwshop.com
  • Address: 135 County Road 28, Craig, CO 81625 (Map)
  • Directions: From Craig Follow U.S. 40 East to County Road 29 6 miles. Continue on County Road 29 4 miles to County Road 28 into the campground.
A view of Elkhead State Park
A view of Elkhead State Park. Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Elkhead Reservoir State Park – Bears Ears Campground

This popular year-round campground is located on the shore of 900 acre Elkhead Reservoir and operated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Appropriate state camping and boating permits are required. A popular spot for anglers, water skiers, and powerboating. Nearby trails beckon hikers, horseback riders and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. This is a prime site for hunters during the autumn. The Lake is open for boating from May 9 to September 30. There is no water at the campground so plan accordingly.

  • Closest town: Craig (11mi)
  • Specs: 16 sites, vault toilet, no water, open year-round
  • Amenities: Close to Elkhead Reservoir
  • Reservations: Yes, at cpwshop.com
  • Address: 3200-3206 County Road 28, Craig, CO 81626 (Map)
  • Directions: From Craig Follow U.S. 40 East to County Road 29 6 miles. Continue on County Raod 29 5 miles to County Road 28 into the campground.

Freeman Reservoir Campground

This lightly used campground is located near Freeman Reservoir. Boating is popular on the reservoir but no motors are allowed. Hiking, horseback riding, and hunting are all popular activities. There are no motorized vehicle trails near the campground.

  • Closest town: Craig (23mi)
  • Specs: 18 sites, water, vault toilet, open mid-June to snow closure
  • Amenities: Corrales, some pull-through sites
  • Reservations: No, first-come, first-serve
  • Address: County Road 11, Craig, CO 81625 (Map)
  • Directions: From Craig take Colorado Highway 13 13.1 miles north. Turn right on County Road 11, go 9.6 miles. The campground will be on the left.

Sawmill Creek Campground

Camping at its bare minimum awaits the dedicated outdoor enthusiast. This rarely accessed area has no amenities, no fees, and is located near the California Park / Black Mountain Area. If isolation in the pristine wilderness is your goal, this camping area might be perfect for you.

  • Closest town: Craig (40mi)
  • Specs: Dispersed camping, pack-it-in, pack-it-out
  • Amenities: None
  • Reservations: No, free camping
  • Address: Forest Service Road 109, Craig, CO 81625 (Map)
  • Directions: From Craig take Colorado Highway 13 North 25.1 miles. Turn right on County Road 38. Continue straight on Forest Service Road 109. 5 miles. Turn right to stay on Forest Service Road 109, go 2.6 miles to the camping area.

Consider Steamboat Springs, Meeker or Dinosaur

Steamboat Lake Mountain Meadow Colorado
Mountain meadow at Steamboat Lake State Park. Photo: Michael Kirsh

With around 14,000 residents, Steamboat Springs is one of the largest and most popular mountain towns in Colorado. Nestled in the beautiful Yampa Valley, Steamboat’s epic ski slopes are just a sliver of the attractions found here. From Buffalo Pass to two state parks in Clark, there are numerous campgrounds near Steamboat Springs. At 3 hours from Denver, you’ll appreciate the quick access, but yet far enough drive to keep the crowds lower.

South of Craig and north of Rifle lies the gateway to the flat top mountains, Meeker. It’s a simple ranching community that has all the amenities you’ll need for a camp out. The Flat Tops Trail is a national scenic byway that connects Meeker to the east with Yampa. This is one of the best places in the state to get away from it all and appreciate Mother Nature. Make sure you stop by Trappers Lake. Campgrounds near Meeker are easy to come by.

Less than an hour and half west of Craig on Highway 40 delivers you to the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town of Dinosaur. It’s Colorado’s gateway to the Dinosaur National Monument, which stretches into Utah. Most of the dino fossils are found on the Utah side, so Vernal, UT at almost two hours from Craig makes the best base for surrounding activities and amenities. Check out all the great camping near Dinosaur National Monument, between both Utah and Colo.

That’s a roundup of the top campgrounds near Hayden and Craig, Colo. Have fun exploring this western region of Northwest Colorado. Practice leave no trace.

Randy Tucker

About Randy Tucker

Randy lives up in Wyoming but often comes down to Colorado to visit, explore and camp around. He enjoys writing about the best places to camp around the state.

FacebookTwitter

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Previous Post: «Camping near Steamboat Springs Sunrise at Steamboat Lake State Park Clark CO Camping near Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek and Clark, around Yampa Valley
Next Post: Where to Watch Live Horse Racing and Off Track Betting In Colorado Colorado Horse Racing Arapahoe Park Racetrack Aurora»

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Nearby Colorado Camping

  • All Camping
  • Alamosa, Antonito, Crestone, Saguache and South Fork
  • Allenspark, Lyons and Longmont
  • Almont
  • Aspen, Basalt and Snowmass Village
  • Aurora, Brighton and Parker
  • Bailey, Conifer, and Pine
  • Buena Vista and Nathrop
  • Breckenridge, Copper, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone and Silverthorne
  • Caรฑon City
  • Castle Rock, Larkspur and Monument
  • Cedaredge, Collbran and Mesa
  • Colorado Springs
  • Cortez, Dolores and Mancos
  • Craig and Hayden
  • Creede
  • Crested Butte
  • Cripple Creek, Divide and Victor
  • Denver
  • Deckers and Sedalia
  • Dinosaur and Rangely
  • Durango and Bayfield
  • Eagle and Vail
  • Evergreen
  • Fairplay, Hartsel and Jefferson
  • Fort Collins and Loveland
  • Fort Morgan
  • Georgetown, Empire and Idaho Springs
  • Glenwood Springs, Carbondale and Rifle
  • Golden, Black Hawk and Central City
  • Granby and Grand Lake
  • Grand Junction, Fruita, and Palisade
  • Greeley and Briggsdale
  • Gunnison
  • Julesburg
  • Kremmling, Hot Sulphur Springs and Parshall
  • La Junta and Lamar
  • Lake City
  • Lake George
  • Leadville and Twin Lakes
  • Limon
  • Littleton, Lakewood and Morrison
  • Manitou Springs
  • Meeker
  • Montrose and Delta
  • Naturita, Nucla and Gateway
  • Nederland, Rollinsville and Ward
  • Ouray and Ridgway
  • Pagosa Springs
  • Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford
  • Pueblo
  • Red Feather Lakes
  • Salida, Poncha Springs and Monarch
  • Silverton
  • Steamboat Springs, Oak Creek and Clark
  • Sterling
  • Telluride, Ophir and Rico
  • Trinidad, Walsenburg and La Veta
  • Walden and Gould
  • Westcliffe and Rye
  • Winter Park and Fraser
  • Woodland Park
  • Yampa

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise