Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-10168487
When Dry Lake Campground (CO) reopens
Dry Lake Campground (CO)'s openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
7
Openings · last 90 days
7
Only 7 openings in the last 90 days: not enough recent activity for a reliable pattern. A free Campsite Sniper alert watches around the clock instead, and pings you the moment one opens.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Oct 16, 2026 · of 22 monitored sites
Of the 638 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 16, 2026): 638 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). Of the facility's 22 monitored sites, 17 can be reserved online and 5 are first-come, first-served.
No online availability right now
Of the 638 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 16, 2026): 638 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative). A free alert tells you if any date opens online.
Load status
Sep 18 – Oct 16, 2026Not open online100%
Open site-nights0 / 638
Of the 638 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 16, 2026): 638 on sites not offered for online reservation (first-come, first-served or administrative).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Oct 2026No month in range currently shows online availability. 0 open site-nights across the tracked window — these site-nights are on sites not offered for online reservation.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 22 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
About Dry Lake Campground (CO)
Overview
Dry Lake Trailhead is located off County Road 60 (Buffalo Pass Road) and is near the Dry Lake Campground. This trailhead provides access to both non-motorized and motorized trails. Access for dirt bikes and other recreational vehicles on Buffalo Pass Road. This is a very high-use year-round trailhead and a gateway to exploring the aspens, sub-alpine firs, and wildflowers of the mountains of the Park Range. A vault toilet is provided at the Trailhead. Dry Lake Trailhead is managed by the Hahn’s Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District in Steamboat Springs.
In the summer and shoulder seasons, there is access to multiple hiking trails which are also beginner through advanced mountain bike trails (Panorama, Fiddlehead, Flash of Gold, Spring Creek, Spring Roll, BTR, Soda, Buffalo Billy's, and several others) and single-track dirt-bike trails (Great White Buffalo and upper Flash of Gold). Continental Divide Trail heading south from the top of Buffalo Pass is open to ATC 50” or less. Heading north from the top of the pass users almost immediately enter Mount Zirkel Wilderness.
In the winter, Dry Lake Trailhead is the primary access to the Buffalo Pass Winter Backcountry Permit Area. This area has special regulations to ensure the enjoyment of both non-motorized and motorized user. Winter users especially motorized users please pay attention to access regulations and information.
Facilities
There are 22 campsites, 2 of which are double sites and 8 may be reserved two weeks in advance. Plus, 5 sites are first-come, first-served. Each site is spacious and equipped with a campfire ring, picnic table, bear box.
Natural Features
At an elevation of 8,277 feet, Dry lake lies in the Rocky Mountains in the heart of the Routt National Forest. 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.
Nearby Attractions
There are many attractions with Steamboat Springs 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.
22 monitored sites5 FCFS sitesRVs up to 169 ftNo hookups22 shadedPets OKFire pitsMax party 16
Getting there
Directions from Steamboat Springs, Colorado: Travel 4 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road #36 (Strawberry Park Rd), then 3.6 miles east on Routt County Road #38 (Buffalo Pass Rd). The campground is located to the north of the road.
Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District 925 Weiss Drive Steamboat Springs, Colorado 970-870-2299 M-F 8Am To 4:30Pm
BikingCampingHikingHuntingMountain BikingOff Highway Vehicle TrailsPhotographyPicnicking
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-10168487 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-10168487 · Dry Lake Campground (CO)12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?
Campsite Sniper's current snapshot shows none of the 638 tracked site-nights open for online reservation at Dry Lake Campground (CO). That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. Campsite Sniper has also detected 7 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Dry Lake Campground (CO)?
Campsite Sniper detected 7 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which sites at Dry Lake Campground (CO) fit a 35-foot RV?
20 of the 22 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 169 ft. 20 of those 22 sites have a recorded maximum length and 2 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Does Dry Lake Campground (CO) have online availability right now?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot, none of the 638 tracked site-nights are open for online reservation. That can mean dates are reserved, closed, not yet released, or offered first-come, first-served rather than online. A free Campsite Sniper alert tells you if any date opens online.
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