Big Creek Lakes Campground
Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Walden, CO, CO
Price: From $20 per night
Rating: 3.9 out of 5 (82 reviews)
Season: May through October
The popular Big Creek Lakes Campground offers a peaceful, scenic setting in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. The campground is located in Routt National Forest at an elevation of 9,000-ft., and is adjacent to Big Creek Lake, where fishing, boating and hiking are available. Trails and one corral are available for the Equestrians.This facility has a campground and day use area.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Camp Host, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/big-creek-lakes-campground to be notified when sites open up.
Big Creek Lakes offers fishing and boating on Colorado's second largest natural lake at 9,000 ft elevation in Routt National Forest, with adjacent hiking access to Mount Zirkel Wilderness and established equestrian trails.
Wildlife alert: Watch for Osprey and Swainson's Hawks near the lake; American Pika and Yellow-bellied Marmots in higher terrain; Wandering Garter Snakes and Wood Frogs near water. Also present: Red-tailed Hawks and western yellow pond-lilies.
Insider tips for Big Creek Lakes Campground: Book early—this is a popular federal campground with only 24 sites Bring a boat or fishing gear; the campground is adjacent to Big Creek Lake with a boat launch on-site No hookups available, so ensure your RV is self-contained if you're driving an RV
Skip Big Creek Lakes Campground if: You need RV hookups—this campground has none at most sites. You're visiting outside May-October—seasonal operations only. You need to book last-minute—federal campground fills quickly.
Best time to visit Big Creek Lakes Campground: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Blackhall Lookout (Encampment, WY), Seedhouse Group Site - Medicine-Bow Routt Nf (Co) (STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO), Six Mile Campground (Wy) (WY), Seedhouse Guard Station (STEAMBOAT SPRINGS , CO).
Cell Phone Coverage at Big Creek Lakes Campground
Cell signal at Big Creek Lakes Campground (Walden, CO): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
The popular Big Creek Lakes Campground offers a peaceful, scenic setting in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. The campground is located in Routt National Forest at an elevation of 9,000-ft., and is adjacent to Big Creek Lake, where fishing, boating and hiking are available. Trails and one corral are available for the Equestrians.This facility has a campground and day use area.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 24 sites
Bring a boat or fishing gear; the campground is adjacent to Big Creek Lake with a boat launch on-site
No hookups available, so ensure your RV is self-contained if you're driving an RV
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Walden, follow Route 125 north for 9 miles into Cowdrey. Turn left (west) onto CR 6W and travel 18 miles to Pearl. Turn onto Forest Road 600 and drive for 6 miles, following signs to campground.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Big Creek Lakes Campground cost per night?+
What season is Big Creek Lakes Campground open?+
Does Big Creek Lakes Campground have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Big Creek Lakes Campground?+
How do I make reservations at Big Creek Lakes Campground?+
What is the cell service like at Big Creek Lakes Campground?+
What season is Big Creek Lakes Campground open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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