Big Creek Lakes Campground
The popular Big Creek Lakes Campground offers a peaceful, scenic setting in the heart of the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado. The campground is located in Routt National Forest at an elevation of 9,000-ft. and is adjacent to Big Creek Lake, where fishing, boating and hiking are available. Trails and one corral are available for the Equestrians.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Colorado · reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 24 |
| Host/management | 36 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
24 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 10 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 009 | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | 10 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 011 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 10 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 012 | Pull-through | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
| 014 | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 10 / 2 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 003, 007, 010, 012 and 5 more are listed accessible |
This facility has a campground and day use area. There are 24 reservable campsites and 30 first-come, first-served campsites, all of which are near Big Creek Lake. Two boat ramps are provided for the convenience of boaters and anglers. A campground host (When available) is on-site for visitor assistance and one horse corral, located near site 17, is provided on a first come first served availability.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Early June to Mid to Late October (weather dependent) |
| Forest | Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG |
| Booking | 24 of the campsites are under the reservation system and the remainder 30 sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov. |
| Fees | $20/single site, $40/double site per day. 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. |
| Rules | Dogs must be leashed in campground and day use areas; horses only at Seven Lakes Trailhead corral, and are not allowed in campsites. Wilderness restrictions apply within Mount Zirkel Wilderness. |
Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG recreation page ↗
Weather by month
Getting there
From Walden, follow Route 125 north for 9 miles into Cowdrey. Turn left (west) onto CR 6W and travel 18 miles to Pearl. Turn onto Forest Road 600 and drive for 6 miles, following signs to campground.
| Coordinates | 40.9364° N, 106.6117° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 21 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Koyoty Sports & Trophy Room Artistry ↗ | 37.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Big Creek Lakes Campground, CO from Liz B.
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miBig Creek Lakes Loop1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miSeven Lakes ↗9.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.3 miBeaver Creek ↗5.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miGrizzley-Helena ↗30 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.5 miBuffalo Ridge ↗8.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miSeven Lakes Spur0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miSeven Lakes Trailhead ↗Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG
- 2.3 miBeaver Creek Trailhead ↗Medicine Bow-Routt NFs and Thunder Basin NG
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
Mount Zirkel Wilderness begins about 3.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.6 miMount Zirkel Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 160,309 acres
- 11.9 miEncampment River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 10,208 acres
- 12.5 miPlatte River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 24,051 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
- Hog Park Guard StationBuilding · Cowdry · 11.4 mi
Natural features
Big Creek lies among Lodgepole pine and fir trees. Some previously forested areas of the campground have been thinned due to pests and now provide more sun. The campground offers beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness. The wetlands around the lake are prime moose territory. Black bear, bobcat, coyote, elk, mule deer and moose are just some of the many animals that inhabit these rich and diverse lands. The Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, encompass nearly 3 million acres from central and northeastern Wyoming to north-central Colorado.
Recreation
This campground offers boating and fishing on Colorado's second largest natural lake, hiking in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness and ATV trails nearby. There are also ample opportunities for viewing wildlife, including moose. Fishing for trout, muskie, grayling and Kokanee salmon is available in the lake. Anglers also have access to a creek. Non-motorized boats are allowed on the upper section of the lake and motorized boats are permitted on the lower section.
Nearby
The closest town is Walden, Colorado, about 35 miles from the campsite. Many more outdoor recreation opportunities exist in the surrounding national forests and grasslands, including hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding, OHV 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 Big Creek Lakes 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 Big Creek Lakes Campground?
$20/single site, $40/double site per day. 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 Big Creek Lakes Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Creek Lakes Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Early June to Mid to Late October (weather dependent).
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Creek Lakes Campground have?
60 sites, including 24 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Creek Lakes Campground?
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Creek Lakes Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Big Creek Lakes Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Dogs must be leashed in campground and day use areas; horses only at Seven Lakes Trailhead corral, and are not allowed in campsites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Big Creek Lakes Campground?
Sites 003, 007, 010, and 012 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 9 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Creek Lakes Campground?
This campground offers boating and fishing on Colorado's second largest natural lake, hiking in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness and ATV trails nearby. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Creek Lakes Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Seedhouse Group Site (12.9 mi, partly first-come), Six Mile Campground (13.4 mi, partly first-come), and Seedhouse Campground (14.1 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby