Steamboat Lake State Park – Clark, CO | Boating, Camping, Fishing, Geocaching, Hiking

Steamboat Lake is a real gem, residing 8100 feet above sea level and surrounded by alpine wilderness. The lake is rarely crowded and is open for boating from May 1st to November 1st each year. There are also 188 campsites surrounding the lake, each offering picturesque views.

Situated west of Hahn’s Peak, an hour’s drive from Steamboat Springs, visitors to this park can catch a glimpse of the Continental Divide. Even if you’re looking for another nearby state park, Pearl Lake, located about fifteen minutes away, is its neighbor and offers wakeless boating and additional camping areas.

Activities at Steamboat Lake

Steamboat Lake State Park Sunset Colorado — Evening clouds at Steamboat Lake. Photo: Scott Ingram

Biking: There are 7+ miles of trails as well as additional biking in nearby Routt National Forest.

Birding: Sandhill Cranes are present every spring and Bald Eagles also call this park home.

Boating: The 1,053-acre reservoir is open May 1st through November 1st each year. Approximately half the lake is open to wake boating, jet skiing, and water skiing.

Camping: There are 188 campsites available in the summer while 14 electrical sites stay open in the winter. Reservations are recommended from May 25 – Sept 11, especially during weekends and holidays. Furthermore, Camper cabins are open year-round. All sites require a nightly fee that may be discounted when not in peak season.

Read about the camping near Steamboat Springs, Clark, and Oak Creek.

Summer at Steamboat Lake State Park. Photo: John B. Kalla

Fishing: Bait, lure, and fly fishing are permitted at Steamboat Lake.

Geocaching: Geocache coordinates – N 40° 48.748 W 106° 57.658

Hiking: There are 3 trails in the park, Tombstone Nature Trail, Willow Creek Trail, and Poverty Bar Trail. Tombstone Nature is a 1.1-mile loop trail just below the visitor center. Willow Creek connects the Marina and Sage Flats while the Poverty Bar connects Willow Creek with FS 409.

Horseback Riding: Available in undeveloped areas of the park near the southeast corner of the lake.

Hunting: Allowed during all legal seasons after Labor Day, with a proper license. Permitted from the Rainbow Ridge day-use area to the Meadow Point area. Hunters must be 100 yards from any park facility.

OHV: Registrations are available at the Visitor Center. OHVs are not allowed in the park, however, hundreds of miles of trails exist just outside the park.

Swimming: Located in the Dutch Hill area, water temperatures reach the low 70s in late summer. No lifeguard is on duty and no pets are allowed on the swim beach.

Winter Recreation: There are groomed trails for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, with additional trails in the nearby Routt National Forest. Ice Fishing is also allowed, conditions permitting.