Park Activities
Backcountry camping
Dispersed camping in the National Forest is accessible by hiking the Pearl Lake connection trail.
(Updated: 7/5/2019 2:44 PM)
Boating
Pristine and quiet with great fishing and wakeless-only boating, it’s what a mountain lake should be. In order to keep Pearl Lake and other lakes this way, all trailer launched vessels and those powered by motor or sail MUST be inspected prior to launch.
Inspections are available at the Steamboat Lake during the boating season.
(Updated: 5/24/2024 8:33 AM)
Cabins and Yurts
Two yurts are available year-round at Pearl Lake. The camping minimum night stay for the yurts is two nights. During the winter months, it’s a 6-8 minute hike or cross-country ski or snowmobile trek to reach the yurts. Both yurts are heated and have electricity.
Yurt #16 is pet friendly and requires a nightly non-refundable deposit that must be paid at the Steamboat Lake Visitor Center. Yurt #6 does not allow pets inside. Trash and recycling receptacles are available at the day use area. Check out Project Greenify, a local Girl Scout project that inspires people to conserve resources through recycling and proper waste disposal!
For more information, see the Camping & Yurts page.
(Updated: 5/29/2023 1:03 PM)
Camping
CAMPING PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE THE REQUIRED PARK PASS!
Reservations Season: Memorial Day Weekend - September 30th
- Basic: $28/night
For anything outside the reservation season:
- Basic: $18/night
The modest Pearl Lake campground offers thirty-four individual campsites (which are non-electric) and two yurts (each yurt has electric lights and heat) and is a quiet getaway. Some sites in the lower loop are near the shoreline, but all sites are within easy walking distance of the reservoir. Campers can stay up to 14 days at Pearl Lake during a 28-day period.
For more information, see the Camping & Yurts page.
Please help us take care of our amenities and do not dump or flush sanitary wipes, diapers, or any other foreign material in vault toilets, flushable toilets, and the dump station. These items cause costly repairs to our wastewater system and lead to the dump station and Camper Services Building being closed.
(Updated: 5/24/2024 8:35 AM)
Cross-country Skiing
Being off the beaten path, Pearl Lake receives plenty of snowfall each winter, making it an excellent place for backcountry cross-country skiing. There are no groomed trails, providing a true backcountry experience.
(Updated: 5/7/2018 2:20 PM)
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the park and in yurt #16 as long as:
- They are on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times
- Their waste is properly disposed of
(Updated: 5/7/2018 2:20 PM)
Education Programs
Upcoming programs are posted on the Steamboat Lake Facebook page, homepage, and in the Steamboat Pilot. Information is also available at the Steamboat Lake Visitor Center. Please call (970) 879-3922 for more information.
(Updated: 6/1/2019 11:26 AM)
Fishing
Anglers catch cutthroat trout and grayling from this 167-acre reservoir. The best fishing tends to be mid-to-late May during ice-off and again in the fall. Fishing at Pearl Lake is restricted to flies and artificial lures; no bait is allowed. A two-fish bag limit is enforced, and each fish must be over 18 inches. Fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center. The lake is available for ice fishing during the winter months but is also restricted to flies and lures only.
For ice fishing conditions, call us at (970) 879-3922 or visit our Facebook or Instagram page.
(Updated: 1/8/2024 10:34 AM)
Hiking
Hike from the boat ramp to the dam and connect with the Coulton Creek Trail on the Routt National Forest.
(Updated: 5/7/2018 2:22 PM)
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing season is officially over for the 23/24 winter season.
Ice fishing for cutthroat trout and grayling is allowed. Pearl Lake is restricted to flies and lures only with a two-fish, over 18 inches bag limit. Ice fishers will have to snowshoe or cross-country ski a half-mile to reach the lake. Ice conditions can vary dramatically, and falling through can be fatal. Please use caution and carry self-rescue equipment, such as ice awls.
For current conditions and pictures, call us at (970) 879-3922 or visit our Facebook or Instagram page.
(Updated: 4/30/2024 2:12 PM)
OHV Riding
OHV’s are not allowed to operate in the park; however, there are hundreds of miles of excellent trails on forest service land immediately surrounding the park. OHV registrations and Forest Service and Motor Vehicle Use Maps are available at the Steamboat Lake Visitor Center.
(Updated: 7/29/2022 5:24 PM)
Paddle Boarding
The wakeless waters of Pearl Lake have become a popular destination for standup paddle boarding. Please remember your PFD before launching. Paddleboards are available for rent from a vendor on weekends. We recommend (required for children 13 and below) the use of a PFD when going on the lake. Swimming is not allowed at Pearl Lake.
(Updated: 5/24/2024 8:35 AM)
Picnicking
Picnickers have the option of seven different sites with tables and grills or fire rings overlooking the lake. A watchable wildlife viewing deck provides picture postcard views along the tree-lined shore. A universally accessible picnic site is located by the boat ramp.
Note: Pets—on a leash and under control—are welcome.
(Updated: 5/7/2018 2:22 PM)
Snowmobiling
(Updated: 8/4/2021 2:21 PM)
Snowshoeing
An excellent area for snowshoeing!
(Updated: 5/7/2018 2:22 PM)
Winter Activities
Park roads and facilities are closed by over 300 inches of annual snowfall, making the park accessible by snowshoes, cross-country skis, or snowmobile. Snowmobile registrations can be purchased at the Steamboat Lake Visitor Center.
Caution: Before going out onto a frozen lake, pond, or river, it’s important to take safety precautions to reduce the risk of falling through the ice. Knowing how to judge ice conditions will also help you make more informed decisions while enjoying winter activities.
(Updated: 7/22/2019 1:11 PM)