Sheriff's Reservoir Campground
Open for the 2026 season as of early April. First-come, first-served with no reservations. The campground is typically accessible by vehicle from mid-June through mid-October depending on snow conditions, though early openings are possible in lighter snow years. No potable water available.
Air Quality Alert issued July 1 at 4:10PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Wednesday July 01 to 900 AM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Thursday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
Air Quality Alert issued July 1 at 9:10AM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued the following... WHAT...Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke. WHERE...Moffat, Routt, Jackson, Grand, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Eagle, Summit, Gilpin, Clear Creek, Mesa, Pitkin, Lake, Park, Delta, Gunnison, Chaffee, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, and northern parts of Montezuma and Saguache Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, Kremmling, Meeker, Rangely, Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Vail, Breckenridge, Central City, Georgetown, Grand Junction, Aspen, Leadville, Fairplay, Delta, Gunnison, Buena Vista, Salida, Montrose, Nucla, Ouray, Telluride, Dove Creek, and Saguache. WHEN...900 AM Wednesday July 01 to 900 AM Thursday July 02 IMPACTS...Areas downwind of large fires in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah could have periods of moderate to heavy smoke through at least Thursday morning. HEALTH INFORMATION...Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.
About
Sheriff Reservoir Campground sits at 9,700 feet elevation in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, approximately 15 miles west of Yampa, Colorado. This small campground features 5 sites arranged in a tight forested loop, making it ideal for tent campers seeking a quiet, primitive experience. While trailers up to 17 feet can technically fit, the sites are quite cramped for anything larger than a tent. The campground provides basic amenities including one vault toilet, picnic tables, and fire grates. Campers must bring their own drinking water as no potable water is available. The reservoir is just steps away, offering excellent fishing for Rainbow Trout, Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, and Brook Trout. Shore fishing and small non-motorized watercraft are permitted; internal combustion engines are prohibited. Several hiking trails depart from the trailhead across the dam, including Sand Creek Trail #1123, Bunker Basin Trail #1109, and Black Mountain Creek Trail #1117, providing access to the scenic Flat Tops area. If the campground is full, dispersed camping opportunities exist along the 4-mile approach road.
Directions
From Yampa, follow County Road 17 (Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway toward Dunckley Pass) for 5.2 miles. Turn onto County Road 132 (becomes County Road 8) and continue for 8.7 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 959 and follow for 3.6 miles to the campground.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $14 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 17ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Community Posts
No posts yet. Be the first to share your experience!