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 nature trail. The headquarters has 50 camp sites; 35 are RV electric sites, 10 tent sites and five sites for group camping. 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.
Birding
Yampa River Headquarters has a nature trail with an observation deck. Stop by the visitor center for birding books or more information.
Boating
Yampa River boaters have 13 access points in the 134-mile-long Yampa River State Park portion of the river, stretching from Hayden, Colorado, to Dinosaur National Monument (permits required within Dinosaur National Park) on the Utah border.
Camping
The Headquarters campground near Hayden, CO has 49 camp sites; 35 are electric sites. At this campground there are coin operated showers and laundry facilities.
There are four primitive campground locations with river access along the 134-mile segment of the Yampa river from Hayden to the Dinosaur National Monument: Duffy, Juniper, Maybell Bridge, and Cross Mountain Canyon. There are no showers available at these sites. Daily pass or an annual state park pass are required at all campgrounds.
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the park as long as:
they are on a six foot or shorter leash at all times
their waste is properly disposed of
Fishing
The Yampa River offers many fishing opportunities. Anglers fish for both warm-water and cold-water species in the Yampa. Upstream of Yampa River State Park is one of the healthiest trout fisheries found in the state.
In and around Steamboat Springs, there is a variety of fishing opportunities. On the eastern end of Yampa River State Park from Hayden to Craig, there are good trout numbers, small-mouth bass and Northern Pike.
On the western end of the river from Craig to Maybell, there are warm-water species, including a good small-mouth bass fishery, northern pike and catfish.
Group Picnicking
Yampa River Headquarters offers a covered Group Picnic Area. The fee is $100.00 per day.
Contact the Headquarters office at (970) 276-2061 for more information or to make reservations.
Hiking
At the Headquarters Campground, walkers can enjoy a mile of nature trail to work the kinks out from the long day’s drive.
Note: Be sure to check in at the visitor's center for a daily park pass or have an annual pass displayed on vehicle.
The primary hiking opportunity is at many of the river access sites along the river. Hiking in the area is primarily on BLM lands and offers a diverse experience for all levels and interests. With the high-desert environment, your hikes can offer some of the most scenic views found anywhere. Areas like Duffy Mt., Juniper Canyon and Cross Mountain have some excellent hiking territory.
Hunting
Yampa River State Park is centrally located to all major areas of hunting. We do have Shower and Laundry facilities available for our guests.
Our Visitor Center has BLM maps for sale as well as maps and information about the area State Trust Lands open for public access.
Picnicking
Yampa River offers Picnic sites at all 13 river access sites, which require a daily park pass.The Headquarters campground also has a group picnic area that can be reserved by calling (970) 276-2061.
Volleyball
There is a sand volleyball court and horseshoe pit at the headquarters campground near our playground and group picnic area for our campers and visitors to enjoy.
Whitewater rafting
While most of the 134-mile stretch of the Yampa River in Yampa River State Park is relatively flat water with Class I-II rapids, there are some areas of Class III-V rapids.
