Elkhead Reservoir State Park

Overview

Brochure InfoElkhead Reservoir is located 10 miles northeast of Craig, on the high plains of northwest Colorado. The surrounding area consists of gently rolling hills of irrigated farmland, dry land wheat, and rangeland. Within the park, rolling sagebrush prairie combines with juniper trees and scenic cliff areas. This 900 acre reservoir provides endless recreational opportunities. They include, but are not limited to, boating, swimming, jet skiing, skiing, picnicking, wildlife watching, hiking, camping, meeting friends and neighbors, bird watching, biking, horseback riding hunting and fishing and many photo opportunities.Brochure Info - OrientationElkhead Reservoir is located 10 miles northeast of Craig, on the high plains of northwest Colorado. The surrounding area consists of gently rolling hills of irrigated farmland, dry land wheat, and rangeland. Within the park, rolling sagebrush prairie combines with juniper trees and scenic cliff areas.Brochure Info - RecreationMotorized Recreation Only snowmobiles and OHVs used for ice fishing are allowed. Registered OHVs are permitted on roads within Moffat County, but not permitted within the park. Winter Recreation Ice fishing, cross country skiing and snow shoeing are popular during the winter months. This is a great time to view wildlife in the big herds known to northwest Colorado. Fishing and Hunting Elkhead Reservoir is about 4 miles long, surrounded by almost 1,300 acres of land making it one of largest parks in northwest Colorado. Fishing for warm water species like, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Crappie is a big draw. Hunting in the park is allowed after Labor Day during established seasons. Big Game hunting is allowed on the northern portion of the park, north of the Northeast access. Contact the Yampa River Park office for a description and map of the designated hunting area. All Colorado hunting statues and regulations apply. Boating & Water Sports Boating, water-skiing, sailing and jet skiing are popular activities during the summer. Swimming is allowed at the swim-beach and from a boat in designated no-wake areas on the north end of the lake. A Personal Flotation Device must be worn while in the water except at the designated swim beach. Elkhead is under mandate for ''aquatic nuisance'' inspections on all craft.Brochure Info - Facilities and Restrictions Boat Ramps: The boat ramp is located on the southwest area of the park. It's a two-lane concrete ramp with a 4% grade. There are 38 parking spaces available for vehicles with trailers. Campgrounds: Bear's Ears campground is located across the dam at the reservoir and has 16 basic sites. Each site has shade shelters, picnic tables and fire rings. CXT bathrooms are located at each end of the camp ground. Dump Station: There is no dump station at this campground. If you have purchased a camping permit you may use the dump station at the Headquarters Campground near Hayden. Please check in with the office and present your camp pass before dumping. Picnic Sites: Picnic sites are located at the boat ramp, swim (East) beach, ski beach and the northeast . Swim Beach: There is a swim beach at Elkhead Reservoir but no life guards on duty. Brochure Info - Nearby AttractionsThere are many places to visit in the Elkhead State Park area, including Dinosaur National Monument and four other state parks. Craig Chamber of Commerce Steamboat Chamber of Commerce Dinosaur National Monument Water Data Yampa River State Park Stagecoach State Park Steamboat Lake State Park Key InfoNO-SHOW Policy If you do not arrive to the park within 24 hours of your scheduled check in time and do not notify the park that you will be arriving late, your site may be resold and may not be available when you arrive. The fees for any nights passed are non-refundable. Changes and Cancellations Cancellations or changes may be made online 24 hours a day 7 days a week, or through the Aspira Call Center at 1-800-244-5613. Reservations where one or more dates fall outside of the 6-month booking window are frozen for 14 days. Cancellations: If the cancellation is made 28 days or more prior to the arrival date, 25% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained If the cancellation is made 8-27 days prior to the arrival date, 50% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained. If the cancellation is made 7 days or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the fee for 1 night or day-use permit will be retained. If a reservation is cancelled at any time after the arrival date, any nights prior to the cancellation are NON-REFUNDABLE Changes: If a change in the reservation is made 28 days or more prior to the arrival date, 10% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained. If a change in the reservation is made 8-27 days prior to the arrival date, 15% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained. If a change in the reservation is made 7 days or less prior to arrival, 20% of the fee for one night or day-use permit will be retained. If the change in the reservation dates is made between the day after the arrival date and the departure date, the fees for any nights or days passed are NON-REFUNDABLE. There is no additional fee to add days to a reservation. The reservation holder is responsible for any difference in use fees. Customers who wish to receive a refund outside of these rules will need to contact the park at which they have the reservation directly. No exceptions to the refund policy will be given for bugs, bad weather, campfire bans, water conditions (including water levels, boat ramp or swim beach closures, and algae)! If the original reservation was made directly with the park, any refunds resulting from changes/cancellations will be issued via personal check and may take up to 90 days from the date of the change/cancellation to be processed. By making a reservation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you are agreeing to read and abide by all rules stated in this purchase flow and on the confirmation letter. No water is available at Elkhead Reservoir State Park. Please use www.cpwshop.com to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers. Per CPW regulation, no individual may camp or park a motor vehicle, trailer or camper on a state park for more than fourteen (14) days in any twenty-eight (28) day period on a single park. For the purposes of this regulation, an individual is defined as any person who has occupied a site, whether or not they are formally listed on the reservation as the reserving party or primary occupant. Any reservations made with one or more days outside of the 6-month reservation window will be frozen to changes for 14 days from the date the reservation was made. Important Information for Daily EntranceDirectionFrom Craig Travel East on Highway 40 approximately 7 miles until you reach MCR 29. Turn left on MCR 29 and continue North 4 miles. Turn right on MCR 28 to enter park. Continue on MCR 28 across the dam to reach Bear's Ears Campground. From Hayden Travel West on Highway 40 until you reach mile marker 97. Turn right on MCR 29 (North), continue North for approximately 4 miles until you reach MCR 28. Turn right to enter park. Continue on MCR 28 across the damn to reach Bear's Ears Campground.Booking Window Product InfoFee Cancellation DescPlease read our Fees and Cancellation Policies