Hinman Campground
Hinman Campground is a gateway to the Mount Zirkel Wilderness along the Elk River Corridor with plenty of opportunities for hiking, hunting, biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing, river rafting and more. There are 12 campsites, 6 of which may be reserved. At an elevation of 7,700 feet, Hinman lies in the mountains of the Park Range in the heart of the Routt National Forest near the Elk River which flows south to join the Yampa River. Hinman Campground offers the unique opportunity to observe forest succession in progress and will eventually return to a native lodgepole, spruce, and fir forest.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 3 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 4 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 5 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 6 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 7 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 8 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 9 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 10 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
| 11 | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Basic |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There are 12 campsites, 6 of which may be reserved. Each site is spacious and equipped with a campfire ring and picnic table.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | Early June to Mid September |
| Forest | Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG |
| Booking | 8 sites are first come, first served only, 5 sites are reservable. |
| Fees | $14 per site. Must have exact change if paying cash, or pay by check unless previously reserved on recreation.gov (no credit cards) |
Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG recreation page ↗
Getting there
From downtown Steamboat Springs, Colorado, take U.S. Highway 40 west and turn right on Routt County Road 129, locally known as Elk River Road. Continue north 17 miles, cross the Elk River just beyond the Clark Store, and turn right along the river on RCR 64, which becomes Forest Road 400/Seedhouse Road. Continue for 6 miles.
| Coordinates | 40.7472° N, 106.8375° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 8.4 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Koyoty Sports & Trophy Room Artistry ↗ | 48.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Hinman Campground - Routt National Forest, CO
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miCoulton Creek3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miOverlook3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.8 miHinman Creek ↗6.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miCutover1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.4 miPearl Lake Trail3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.5 miSwamp Park ↗20.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Mount Zirkel Wilderness.
- inMount Zirkel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,309 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Hahns Peak SchoolhouseBuilding · Hahns Peak · 6.9 mi
- ColumbineHistoric district · Clark · 10 mi
- Summit Creek Ranger StationBuilding · Columbine · 11.7 mi
Natural features
At an elevation of 7,700 feet, Hinman lies in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of the Routt National Forest near the South Fork of the Elk River. The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland encompass nearly three million acres from central and northeastern Wyoming to north-central Colorado. Black bear, bobcat, coyote, elk, mule deer and moose are just some of the many animals that inhabit these rich and diverse lands.
Recreation
Provides a great gateway for hiking, biking and hunting. Trout fishing is accessible on the river as well as several mountain streams.
Nearby
Visitors might also enjoy stopping by Steamboat Lake State Park and Hahns Peak Lake Day Use, only a short drive away. Many more outdoor opportunities exist in the surrounding national forests and grasslands, including hiking, biking, camping, horseback and off-road vehicle riding, fishing, hunting, sightseeing and winter sports.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hinman Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Hinman Campground?
$14 per site. Must have exact change if paying cash, or pay by check unless previously reserved on recreation.gov (no credit cards)
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hinman Campground?
Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Hinman Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Early June to Mid September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Hinman Campground have?
13 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Hinman Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Hinman Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Hinman Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hinman Campground?
Provides a great gateway for hiking, biking and hunting. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Hinman Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Seedhouse Campground (3.9 mi, partly first-come), Seedhouse Group Site (5.7 mi, partly first-come), and Hahns Peak Lake Campground (10.2 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby