By Shannon Lukens. Photo of the boat ramp at Yampa River State Park Monday morning, April 17, 2023.

 

The heavy snow in Northwest Colorado has caused a delay in some campgrounds from opening. Those in our area are the parks and campgrounds at Steamboat and Pearl Lakes, also Yampa River State Park, and Stagecoach. Staff at those parks are hoping to get them open as soon as possible but Colorado Parks and Wildlife expect it might be mid-May.

Stagecoach State Park:  Office hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, phone 970-736-2436
Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake State Parks:  Office hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, phone 970-879-3922
Yampa River State Park: Office hours 8 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. daily, phone 970-276-2061

 

More from Colorado Parks and Wildlife; April 17, 2023.

Record snow totals delay campground openings at several state parks in the Northwest Region

Grand Junction, Colo. -While many boat ramps and camping grounds are opening along the front range and eastern plains, winter conditions continue to hold on in parts of the northwest.

Significant snow amounts in many of our high country state parks in the Northwest Region have made it impossible to access campgrounds. The affected parks include Steamboat and Pearl Lake, Yampa River, Stagecoach, State Forest, Sylvan, and Vega State Parks. Due to this, campgrounds will not be open until mud/snow conditions subside and park staff can access the campgrounds without causing excessive damage to the area.

Conditions at some state parks have begun to improve, while others, such as Vega State Park saw additional snow over the weekend. Staff at each state park will continue to monitor and work to get campgrounds open as soon as they can do so safely and without damage to the area. However, CPW anticipates these campgrounds will remain closed until mid-May.

Anyone with a camping reservation whose site will not be available will be contacted directly from the park two weeks prior to the start of your reservation.  Any with a camping reservation from April 1 – mid-May at the impacted parks can also contact that park for additional information and next steps.

State Forest State Park:  Office hours 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, phone 970-723-8366
Stagecoach State Park:  Office hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, phone 970-736-2436
Steamboat Lake and Pearl Lake State Parks:  Office hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, phone 970-879-3922
Sylvan Lake State Park:  Office hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. as staffing permits, phone 970-328-2021
Vega State Park: Office hours 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, phone 970-487-3407
Yampa River State Park: Office hours 8 a.m.- 4:15 p.m. daily, phone 970-276-2061

Know before you go, to find out more about current conditions at one of our state parks visit our website.