tchart
midwest
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Has anyone camped at Steamboat Lake State Park in Colorado? I saw it online and it looks real nice. We have been to Mueller State Park in Colorado and would like to try a different State Park. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
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1mtnman
Colorado
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We have camped at Steamboat lake and Pearl Lake several times in the past. I must warn you that these locations are in the heart of the Lodgepole Beetle kill area and that many of the trees in the campgrounds have been removed offering much less shade that prior to the last couple of years.
There are still beautiful wildflowers in the spring but a lot of the luster has diminished because of lack of trees both in the campgrounds and on the adjacent mountains.
As a note many locations especially on the western slopes of the Continental Divide are plagued with the same conditions.
If you are looking for a beautiful state park I would suggest Ridgeway State Park north of Ouray, Co. The beetle kill is not as severe in that area.
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tchart
midwest
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Thanks, I did hear about the beetle problem. I will check out Ridgeway State Park. Can you recommend a specific site. We have a 26 foot travel trailer with a large slide and large awning. It's hard to pick a site when you have never been there.
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coptalker
Western Colorado
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I love Steamboat State Park and it's neighbor Pearl. True about the beetle kill, but it's still a great area. Ridgway SP is also a great place. I like the sites on the Elk Ridge Loop in the Dutch Charlie Campground. Spaces 184 and 186 have an exceptional view of the area.
Good luck!
Glen
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Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Good Sam RV Club
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Steamboat is a great place to camp. It has a rather short season so be sure to check the weather before you head there. We only go there between May and October. There is a store and marina but take most of the groceries in with you it is a long way to town.
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tchart
midwest
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Thanks,
What sites would you recommend at Steamboat Lake?
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Bionic Man
Colorado
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We go to Steamboat Lake several times every year. The campground was closed most of this year to remove just about all the trees. While it is still nice, it is not the place it was years ago.
If you don't care about electricity, Bridge Island in the Dutch Hill campground is the best. If you want electricity, try Yarrow or Lupine loops.
We went to Ridgway over July 4th because Steamboat Lake was closed to camping. The campground there is very nice - water between every two sites, almost all of them have electricity, sites are paved, and have great views. The only thing I didn't like about it was the road noise from Hwy 550 was non-stop.
A couple other places to check out are Arapahoe Bay at Granby Lake as well as Turquise Lake. Both great campgrounds that you can get into with your size rig.
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 HO Cummins
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Oldtymeflyr
Littleton, CO
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Were were there this past October, it was beautiful. It still a great setting, getting to the lake is a very pretty drive. Steamboat is a great town. The last time we where there was probably 15 years ago.
There are nice touristy type roads in the area, good hiking, the water is always on the cool side, but refreshing. If you want to go off road there are some not too tough off road trips-towing vehicles can use these road, there are 4WD roads as well. Of course, lots of great hiking in the area. Stream and lake fishing.
As far as the trees go its the lodgepole pine that has taken the hit, the other trees are still there. If we lament over the way it used to be then we are letting that get in the way of the beauty of what is there now.
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tchart
midwest
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Thanks for all the replies. I figure if we have never been to Steamboat Lake before and don't know what it used to look like, then we will probably think it's great.
Can you recommend some sites that would work for a 26 foot travel trailer?
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