Yampa River State Park

Yampa River State Park, located in the beautiful Yampa valley west of Steamboat Springs, is actually three “parks” in one.

The headquarters on the Yampa River near Hayden, Colorado, provides excellent camping, a Visitor Center, and a nature trail. The headquarters has 50 camp sites; 35 are RV electric sites, 10 tent sites, and five sites for group camping. Potable water hydrants and dump station are located at the entrance to the campground.

The proximity to Hwy 40 makes the headquarters the base camp for many outdoor activities in the Steamboat area: hunting, fishing, and OHV riding.

A 134 mile stretch of the Yampa River is the heart of Yampa River State Park. It has 13 access points stretching from Hayden to the Dinosaur National Monument near the Utah border. The river access sites offer recreationists six camping areas, excellent fishing on miles of flat-water and Class I-V river boating.

The Elkhead Reservoir is the third major component of the Yampa River State Park system. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, camping, and picnicking at the lake. There are also many opportunities to view wildlife and a hiking trail that will appeal to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders.

Park Features & Activities

River Access & Safety

• 13 river access points from Hayden to Dinosaur National Monument
• Safety reminders: Always check river conditions and flows before launching
• Class I-V rapids - experience levels vary by section
• River access points may close due to weather or flow conditions

Camping Options

• Headquarters Campground: 50 sites (35 electric, 14 tent-only, 1 tipi)
• River Access Camping: 6 primitive campgrounds along the 134-mile river stretch
• Group camping available at headquarters
• All camping requires advance reservations

Recreation Opportunities

• Fishing: Excellent opportunities along flat-water and river sections
• Wildlife viewing: Abundant elk, deer, antelope, and diverse bird species
• Hiking & biking: Nature trails and access to public lands
• OHV riding: Base camp access to surrounding recreation areas