Medicine Bow-Routt NFs & Thunder Basin NG — lakeside, hiking
Location: Steamboat Springs, CO, CO
Price: From $26 per night
Price range: $26–$50 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Dry Lake Trailhead is located off County Road 60 (Buffalo Pass Road) and is near the Dry Lake Campground. This trailhead provides access to both non-motorized and motorized trails. Access for dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles on Buffalo Pass Road.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Bear Boxes
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/dry-lake-campground-co to be notified when sites open up.
Recently remodeled USFS campground with 22 brand-new sites featuring tables, fire pits, and improved infrastructure. Campers praise it as quiet, dark at night, and well-maintained with excellent access to hiking, biking, and mountain activities in the Park Range.
Wildlife alert: Black bears present in area—use bear boxes provided. Also watch for moose, porcupines, martens, and minks.
Insider tips for Dry Lake Campground (Co): Book early—this is a federal campground with high demand. Bring bug spray; mosquitoes are present and active during camping season. No hookups available; suitable only for self-contained RVs or tent camping. High-use trailhead with access to both motorized and non-motorized trails via Buffalo Pass Road.
Skip Dry Lake Campground (Co) if: You need RV hookups—none are available.. You prefer larger, more developed campgrounds—only 22 sites total..
Best time to visit Dry Lake Campground (Co): Year-round — Campground operates year-round per verified data, though seasonal operations noted as a consideration..
Nearby campgrounds: Hidden Lakes Campground (WY), Teal Lake Group Campsite (Walden, CO), Grizzly Creek Guard Station (WALDEN, CO), Meadows Campground (Co) (Steamboat Springs, CO).
Cell signal at Dry Lake Campground (Co) (Steamboat Springs, 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.
Dry Lake Trailhead is located off County Road 60 (Buffalo Pass Road) and is near the Dry Lake Campground. This trailhead provides access to both non-motorized and motorized trails. Access for dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles on Buffalo Pass Road.
Known issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Book early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Bring bug spray; mosquitoes are present and active during camping season.
No hookups available; suitable only for self-contained RVs or tent camping.
High-use trailhead with access to both motorized and non-motorized trails via Buffalo Pass Road.
Campground operates year-round per verified data, though seasonal operations noted as a consideration.
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.









Directions from Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Travel 4 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road #36 (Strawberry Park Rd), then 3.6 miles east on Routt County Road #38 (Buffalo Pass Rd). The campground is located to the north of the road.
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