Meadows Campground
Meadows Campground is located on Rabbit Ears Pass outside of Steamboat Springs, CO and is surrounded by Spruce, Fir and Lodgepole forest. It has 30 campsites, with a combination of pull-through, back-in and walk-in tent sites. At an elevation of 9,300 feet, Meadows campground lies near the top of Continental Divide in the Park Range. Activities include stream fishing, hiking, wildflower viewing, and mountain biking easily accessible on nearby trails. Established Forest Service summer hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible nearby from the road to Dumont Campground (NFSR 315). Vault toilets and garbage services are provided.
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 | 26 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
30 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 16 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 17 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 18 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 19 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 20 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 21 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 22 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 23 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 24 | East | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard |
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 |
Vault toilets and garbage services provided.
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 | Late June to Mid October (weather dependent) |
| Forest | Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG |
| Fees | $26 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. |
Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
Directions from Steamboat Springs, CO: Travel 15 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs on US Highway 40 to Rabbit Ears Pass. The Campground is located on the south side of the highway, on Forest Road 297 near the west summit of the pass.
| Coordinates | 40.3757° N, 106.7221° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Never Summer Mountain Products ↗ | 48.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Meadows Campground Detailed Review | Shenandoah National Park 2025
Trails nearby
- 4.2 miRoutt Divide ↗7.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miDuster1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miPete'S Wicked Trail2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.8 miSunshine2.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.9 miCathy'S Cutoff0.6 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
Sarvis Creek Wilderness begins about 3.9 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.9 miSarvis Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 44,345 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
- Mesa SchoolhouseBuilding · Steamboat Springs · 5.1 mi
- Christian Science Society BuildingBuilding · Steamboat Springs · 9.6 mi
- First National Bank BuildingBuilding · Steamboat Springs · 9.7 mi
Natural features
At an elevation of 9,300 feet, Meadows campground lies in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of the Routt National Forest on Rabbit Ears pass. 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
Activities include stream fishing, hiking and mountain biking easily accessible. Camping limit is 14 days.
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 Meadows 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 Meadows Campground?
$26 per site. Exact cash or check only as there is no option for change back if paying cash. NO CREDIT CARDS accepted.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Meadows Campground?
Check-in 01:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Meadows Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Late June to Mid October (weather dependent).
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Meadows Campground have?
31 sites, including 26 standard sites without power and 4 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Meadows Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Meadows Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Meadows Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Meadows Campground?
Activities include stream fishing, hiking and mountain biking easily accessible. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Meadows Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Dumont Campground (5.5 mi, partly first-come), Granite Campground (8.5 mi, first-come), and Hidden Lakes Campground (10.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby