Summit Lake Campground
Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests & Thunder Basin National Grassland
Write a Review US Frst Service Road Trail 1101 Coalmont, CO 80430 970-870-2299 Official WebsiteGPS: 40.545, -106.684
Overview of Summit Lake Campground
Buffalo Pass has 3 gates restricting vehicle access depending on road condition in the spring. In general the lower gate opens late May, the middle in mid June and the last in late June.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $20
Reported by Camp-a-holic on 7/17/2024
Number of Sites 9
Pad Type dirt
Open Seasonally Mid July - Late October
Elevation 10,301 ft / 3,139 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 970-870-2299
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Reviews of Summit Lake Campground 2 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 1 User
Last reported 7/23/2022
“Campsites are not free, and location listed is not correct”
Reviewed 7/17/2024
| Nightly rate: | $20 |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
| Site Number: | 2 |
Overall Rating
Camping is not free here. It is $20 per night.
Here is the true accurate description off the official forest service website:
Summit Lake Campground generally does not open until Mid July due to the high elevation of 10,300 ft and is located on Buffalo Pass outside of Steamboat Springs. It provides 9 back-in campsites and 6 walk-in tent sites (all are first come first serve and cannot be reserved. Each site has a table and a fire grate, and vault toilets and trash service is offered.
Day Use is also obtainable in two parking lots provided for the visitor to use while fishing or picnicking. Only hand powered watercraft are permitted on Summit Lake, with no boat ramp available. This campground provides great opportunities for mountain biking, dirt biking and ATVing, horseback riding, fishing and hiking. It is located near the boundary of Mount Zirkel Wilderness which offers numerous backcountry opportunities.
This site was approved for a fee change - Click here for more information
SUMMIT CAMPGROUND: Steamboat Springs, CO
Generally opens in Mid July. (Open seasonally due to snow and high elevation of 10,300 feet) For questions call the Steamboat Springs Ranger Station: 970-870-2299
No reservations. All sites first-come first-served
Amenities:
Tent camping, Camping trailer, Picnic tables, Fire Grate at each site, and Vault Toilets available.
Fees: $20 per site. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash.
NO CREDIT CARDS accepted. Payment instructions are found on the kiosk.
Permit Info: No permit required
Open Season:
Mid July - Late October
Usage: Medium
Closest Towns:
Steamboat Springs, CO
Water: No Water Available, campers must come prepared with their own water.
Restroom: Vault Toilet (2)
Operated By:
Medicine Bow Routt National Forest
Hahns Peak/Bears Eard Ranger District
970-870-2299
Visitor Center Address:
925 Weiss Drive
Steamboat Springs, CO
Camp-a-holic would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Small trailers only, approach from the EAST side of the pass”
Reviewed 7/23/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
The road on the WEST side of the pass (prior to Summit Campground) is just bad enough that you can still drive a high clearance vehicle. That statement is not a compliment. The road alternates between washboard, sharp rocks, more rocks, large ruts and did I mention rocks. I do not think this road has been graded in years.
If you want to camp here, approach from the east side of the pass (from the Kremmling/Walden side). It will be far faster and nicer on your vehicle. The east side had been very recently graded and was very smooth.
The road the campground is located on is across from the main trailhead on the pass. It was not graded and very rough, but still doable for any vehicle. The campground was one loop, with 9 back-in sites for trailers and 6 walk-in tent sites. The sites were best suited for small rigs.
There was a single vault toilet and no camp host. While we were in the area the ranger did drive through so it is patrolled. We did not see a trash dumpster in the campground.
The sites were partly shaded and not level. Our cellular connection was spotty for AT&T and non-existent for Verizon.
The wind was steady and there were little mosquitoes, however we did not stay the night.
The area was very popular as we visited on a Friday and most sites were already full.
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| Location | |
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AT&T 4G
Verizon
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- fishing
- OHV
- recreation trail
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
- water available
Pets
- pets
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