USDA Forest Service · Colorado
Sheriff's Reservoir Campground
USDA Forest Service · Colorado, United States
- Cost
- Overnight Use: Single Site: $14 per night
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,823 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
- SHERIFF RESERVOIR (NFSR 959.1) · crushed aggregate or gravel · suitable for passenger cars
- Nearest town
- Yampa, CO
- Activities
- Camping, Tent, Camping, Trailer, Camping, Vehicle
About
US Forest Service campground. ABOUT: Sheriff Reservoir is a small campground with 6 sites in a tightly forested loop best suited for tents and is located approximately 15 miles to the west of Yampa, CO. Although you cannot see Sheriff's Reservoir or the Flat Tops from most sites, the beautiful view is just steps outside the campground. There are also dispersed camping opportunities located outside of the campground along the road leading in. Enjoy some beautiful hiking from the main trailhead over the Sheriff Reservoirs dam that goes to several little lakes. The campground sites are very small and best for tents, although could accomodate trailers up to 17 feet (but would be tight). Those with campers and trailers may want to check out the large dispersed camping opportunities located along the 4 mile stretch that leads to the campground. The area offers fabulous lake and stream fishing for trout. Shore and dam is easily accesible by foot or by car from the campground and can accomodate canoes, belly boats, paddle boards, kayaks and non-motorized fishing boats. BOAT REGULATIONS: Electric trolling motors are allowed. Internal combustion engines are not allowed. (Combustion engines only allowed at Yamcolo Reservoir). AMENITIES: One vault toilet, most camp sites offer an open fire grate (with no grill on top) and picnic table. Please note: There is no potable water and the sites are very small and best for tent camping. HIKING NEARBY: (All accessed ober the Sheriff Reservoir's dam)Sand Creek #1123Bunker Basin #1109Black Mountain Creek Trail #1117. Pack out what you pack in. Open season: Mid June . Not reservable through Recreation.gov, so plan on first-come, first-served; check with the ranger district for current conditions and fees.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 5° | -19° | 38° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 9° | -11° | 43° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 34° | 14° | -3° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 41° | 20° | -1° | 52° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 49° | 27° | 16° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| June | 64° | 36° | 25° | 77° | 6 of 11 |
| July | 72° | 46° | 36° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 70° | 45° | 39° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 63° | 39° | 18° | 74° | 3 of 11 |
| October | 49° | 27° | -10° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 13° | -12° | 52° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 26° | 6° | -15° | 41° | 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
- Chapman Reservoir Campground · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Crosho Lake Camground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Vaughn Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Trout Creek Campground · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
- Horseshoe Campground · USDA Forest Service · 8 mi
All public campgrounds in Colorado · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-08-06. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.