Bear Lake Campground

9/26/2024: This campground is now closed for the season and will re-open for the 2025 season. 

The Bear Lake Campground is located 11 miles outside of Yampa, Colorado on Forest Service Road 900. The campground opens annually June 15th (varies with weather).  You can find the typical range of outdoor recreation, from fishing and boating, to great hiking and also popular for big game hunting during the fall.

There are 43 campsites (3 double-site and 1 triple-site), vault toilets, potable water, and trash services. The sites are surrounded with a mixed conifer and aspen stand. Though Bear Lake is located outside the campground, the campsites do not offer lake views and only a few have views of the Flat Tops. 

(This campground can accomodate trailers up to 30 feet in length. (For those with longer trailers, we recommend the designated camp sites outside the campground which can accomodate trailers up to 40 feet.)

Dogs must remain on a leash at all times in the campground. 

Campers should come prepared with a variety of different insect repellants as the mosquitos are exceptionally thick this year.

If the campground is full, there are many other camping opportunities outside of the campground along Forest Service Road 900 which leads to the campground. These are designated dispersed sites that cost $10 per night and all offer a picnic table and firegrate. 

Free Day Use Area:
The Bear Lake Fishing Pier and Bear Lake Picnic Area are located within a short walk outside of the campground's entrance and are both free of charge for day use only. The lake is popular for trout fishing and can accomodate kayaks, belly boats, canoes and stand up paddle boarding. No camping is allowed at the day use area, however there are plenty of camping opportunities in the immediate area.  

This is a free day use area that accesses some great trout fishing and has a large fishing pier with perfect views of the Flat Tops Wilderness. There are 2 picnic tables and fire grates for picnicking. Bear Lake is popular to wade, shore, fly or spin fish.

Boaters should take pre-caution for their own safety by steering clear of the bridge at the dam on the lake for their own safety as there is a spillway that could make it dangerous for those on the water.

No camping is allowed at the day use area.

Additionally, those interested in hiking can access Mandall Lakes, Smith Lake, and Stillwater Trailhead nearby within a short drive along Forest Service Road 900. The trailheads are all clearly marked with a sign and can be seen from the road. 

For those requiring a boat launch ramp, we recommend Yamcolo Reservoir which is located just below Bear Lake Reservoir and also offers great trout fishing and also allows motorized boats.