USDA Forest Service · Colorado
Big Creek Lakes Campground
USDA Forest Service · Colorado, United States
- Sites
- 60
- Hookups
- 24 no hookups
- Season
- June 6 to August 31
- Max RV length
- 50 ft
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,035 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BIG CREEK LK CG N LOOPS (NFSR 600.2A) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG
- Nearest town
- Pearl
- Address
- PARKS RANGER DISTRICT, CO
- Phone
- 970-723-2700
- Activities
- Camping, Canoeing, Fishing, Hiking, Wildlife Viewing
53 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
The popular Big Creek Lakes Campground offers a peaceful, scenic setting in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. The campground is located in Routt National Forest at an elevation of 9,000-ft., and is adjacent to Big Creek Lake, where fishing, boating and hiking are available. Trails and one corral are available for the Equestrians.
Recreation
This campground offers boating and fishing on Colorado's second largest natural lake, hiking in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness and ATV trails nearby. There are also ample opportunities for viewing wildlife, including moose.
Fishing for trout, muskie, grayling and Kokanee salmon is available in the lake. Anglers also have access to a creek. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the upper section of the lake and motorized boats are permitted on the lower section.
Facilities
This facility has a campground and day use area. There are 24 reservable campsites and 30 first-come, first-served campsites, all of which are near Big Creek Lake. Two boat ramps are provided for the convenience of boaters and anglers. A campground host (When available) is on-site for visitor assistance and one horse corral, located near site 17, is provided on a first come first served availability.
Natural Features
Big Creek lies among Lodgepole pine and fir trees. Some previously forested areas of the campground have been thinned due to pests and now provide more sun. The campground offers beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness.
The wetlands around the lake are prime moose territory. Black bear, bobcat, coyote, elk, mule deer and moose are just some of the many animals that inhabit these rich and diverse lands.
The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, encompass nearly 3 million acres from central and northeastern Wyoming to north-central Colorado.
Nearby Attractions
The closest town is Walden, Colorado, about 35 miles from the campsite. Many more outdoor recreation opportunities exist in the surrounding national forests and grasslands, including hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, OHV riding, fishing, hunting, sightseeing and winter sports.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24° | 6° | -24° | 37° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 9° | -11° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 34° | 14° | -2° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 41° | 20° | -3° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 51° | 28° | 17° | 61° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 67° | 40° | 29° | 80° | 4 of 11 |
| July | 75° | 49° | 39° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 72° | 47° | 39° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 65° | 40° | 17° | 76° | 2 of 11 |
| October | 50° | 28° | -13° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 37° | 13° | -15° | 51° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 27° | 7° | -11° | 39° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Blackhall Lookout · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi · 1 sites
- Six Mile Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi
- Seedhouse Guard Station · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 1 sites
- Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt NF (CO) · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 1 sites
- Seedhouse Campground · USDA Forest Service · 14 mi · 24 sites
All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.