Summit Lake Campground
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Summit Lake Campground
* NOTE: This campground will stay open until the snow makes it unreachable. Summit Lake Campground generally does not open until Mid July due to the high elevation of 10,300 ft and is located on Buffalo Pass outside of Steamboat Springs. It provides 9 back-in campsites and 6 walk-in tent sites (all are first come first serve and cannot be reserved. Each site has a table and a fire grate, and vault toilets and trash service is offered. Day Use is also obtainable in two parking lots provided for the visitor to use while fishing or picnicking. Only hand powered watercraft are permitted on Summit Lake, with no boat ramp available. This campground provides great opportunities for mountain biking, dirt biking and ATVing, horseback riding, fishing and hiking. It is located near the boundary of Mount Zirkel Wilderness which offers numerous backcountry opportunities. This site was approved for a fee change - Click here for more information
Before you go
Season
Mid July – Until unreachable due to snow
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
$20 per site. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash. NO CREDIT CARDS accepted. Payment instructions are found on the kiosk.
Hours
Generally opens in Mid July. (Open seasonally due to snow and high elevation of 10,300 feet) For questions call the Steamboat Springs Ranger Station: 970-870-2299
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.