Deep Lake Campground
At 10,500 feet, Deep Lake Campground lies on top of the vast White River Plateau. Nestled against Deep Lake 29 miles from the nearest paved road, this campground offers a remote experience surrounded by meadows and a spruce/fir forest. Wildlife such as elk, mule deer, moose, black bears, bald eagles, ospreys, and numerous other species can be seen in the vicinity of Deep Lake Campground.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · tent only in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · group sites in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Group sites | 4 |
Site guide
29 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard | None | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 2 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Prime | |
| 3 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 4 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 3 | Yes | Prime | |
| 5 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 6 | Group | Partial | No / – | – / 6 | Yes | Standard | |
| 7 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 8 | Standard | None | No / – | – / 3 | Yes | Standard | |
| 9 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 10 | Standard | Partial | No / – | – / 2 | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
21 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Nightly fees may be paid on-site using the fee envelopes at the entrance to the campground or using the Recreation.gov Mobile App's Scan & Pay feature. |
Deep Lake Campground offers a primitive campground experience. Each site has an accessible metal picnic table and fire ring. Many sites have designated gravel tent pads. A short walk leads to a vault toilet, of which seven are spaced throughout the 29 campsites. No potable water is on site, so campers will need to bring water for the duration of their trip.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | White River National Forest |
| Booking | First come, first serve |
| Rules | Only non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors are allowed in Deep Lake. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Interstate 70, take exit 133 (Dotsero). Drive north on Colorado River Road for 1.7 miles. Turn left on FSR 600, Coffeepot Road. Drive FSR 600 for 12 miles to the White River National Forest boundary. Continue on FSR 600 for 17 more miles. Turn right at FSR 600.3E, leading to Deep Lake Campground at the signed entrance.
| Nearest town | Minturn, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.7721° N, 107.2955° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Gearhead Outfitters ↗ | 15.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 38.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Continuing our walk through Yankee Springs Deep Lake Campground, MI
Worth a stop
- 12.9 miLyons Gulch Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 13.2 miDeep Creek Day Use Area ↗Day use
- 13.5 miMeadow Lake Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 14.8 miUte Trail Trailhead-Dotsero ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miUte - Deep ↗8.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.4 miJohnson Pasture3.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.6 miTransfer Trail ↗25 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3 miHarold'S Trail ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.2 miWagon Wheel ↗5.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miTrappers Lake ↗14.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
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 White River National Forest.
- inWhite River National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,482,711 acres
- 1.8 miFlat Tops Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 230,829 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
On the National Register nearby
- Hotel ColoradoBuilding · Glenwood Springs · 13.8 mi
- Dotsero BridgeStructure · Dotsero · 15 mi
Natural features
Camping at Deep Lake Campground is an excellent way to see the character of the White River Plateau, otherwise known as the Flat Tops. The White River Plateau is a high volcanic uplift ranging from 10,000 to 12,000 feet. On top of the plateau, the landscape is a mosaic of meadows and spruce/fir forests, dotted with lakes, wetlands, and rocky hills. In July and August, wildflowers contrast the lush green landscape with a vibrant array of colors. Deep Lake offers a pleasant scene before its waters plunge through Deep Creek canyon down to the Colorado River over 4,000 feet below.
Recreation
Deep Lake Campground offers access to a variety of different recreational experiences. Fishing for trout in Deep Lake is popular given its close proximity to the campground. The nearby Deep Lake Day Use area offers a small boat launch for non-motorized and electric motorized boats. With an abundant population of elk and mule deer, the Flat Tops offer world class hunting opportunities in the fall. Deep Lake Campground offers an excellent base camp for hunting trips across the region. Hiking is another activity popular with people staying at Deep Lake Campground. The Flat Tops Wilderness lies a few miles to the north, offering hundreds of miles of hiking trails. Numerous trails outside of the Wilderness offer a primitive experience for hikers willing to explore off the beaten path. While the road to the campground is a graded gravel road, many roads in the area require high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles.
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 Deep Lake Campground?
Sites at Deep Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. First come, first serve Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Deep Lake Campground?
Nightly fees may be paid on-site using the fee envelopes at the entrance to the campground or using the Recreation.gov Mobile App's Scan & Pay feature.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Deep Lake Campground?
Check-in 12:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Deep Lake Campground have?
29 sites, including 25 standard sites without power and 4 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Deep Lake Campground?
Deep Lake Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Deep Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Deep Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Deep Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Only non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors are allowed in Deep Lake.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Deep Lake Campground?
Deep Lake Campground offers access to a variety of different recreational experiences. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Deep Lake Campground?
Minturn, Colorado.
Source: Getting there
What if Deep Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sweetwater Lake Campground (7.4 mi, first-come), Meadow Ridge Campground (13.1 mi, first-come), and Meadow Lake Campground (13.5 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby