Elkhead Reservoir State Park PARKS & WILDLIFE What Makes the Unique Visitor Information Center The Yampa River ties together many features of the Yampa River State Park visitor information center is Yampa Valley that make it unique and of statewide located on Highway 40 between Steamboat Springs significance. The Yampa River supports globally rare and Craig. From Steamboat, take Highway 40 west plant communities as well as four endangered fish approximately 27 miles to the Park Headquarters, species. This watershed has historically provided the from Craig the Headquarters is approximately 17 Yampa River lifeline for farming and ranching in the Yampa Valley. miles east on Highway 40. The visitor information The river in Routt County is mostly private, while over center and campground are located in a meadow next State Park half of it in Moffat County traverses public lands. to the Yampa River surrounded by riparian wetlands. The river is easily accessible from the campground The key to preserving the unique characteristics and offers fishing, river access, nature watching and a ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS of the Yampa River is RESPECT. As recreation convenient overnight campsite for boaters on the river. Elkhead reservoir is located 13 miles northwest users and as private landowners, it is imperative to of the Yampa River State Park Headquarters. This respect one another, the animals and plant life, and The campground offers 35 electrical sites and 15 900-acre lake offers camping, hiking and boating the landscape - all of which are supported by the non-electrical sites. Flush toilets, coin operated with more of an uncrowded experience. Yampa River. Each individual is responsible for showers and laundry are available in the camper knowing where private and public lands are located. services building which is located 200 yards from The Yampa River Legacy Project has provided this most campsites. Water hydrants and vault toilets are unique opportunity to serve as a statewide centrally located throughout the campground and model of cooperation between recreation and a dump station is available for your convenience. agriculture. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Reservations can be made by calling has developed this brochure to help 1-800-678-CAMP(2267), (303) 470-1144 or online at visitors use this valuable resource www.cpw.state.co.us responsibly. The campground also offers a 1.25-mile nature trail with interpretive displays. Tipis and group campsites are available for nightly rental through the park office. A group picnic area (with nearby playground) is also available by reservation. For more information call (970) 276-2061. Our Mission To protect and enhance the ecological health of the Yampa River and the productive agricultural lands it supports while providing appropriate Yampa River State Park recreational opportunities. 6185 Highway 40 • PO Box 759 Hayden, CO 81639 (970) 276-2061 • Fax: (970) 276-2063 E-mail: [email protected] cpw.state.co.us

Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado CPW_RMYA_3/17 through Colorado Lottery proceeds. cpw.state.co.us Public River Access Sites (All sites require a State Parks pass unless otherwise indicated.) SiteSite ##33 SiteSite ##55 The sites and directions below match the numbers State Wildlife Area is Moffat County’s indicated on the map. Please note that the linear located halfway between Loudy Simpson bar at the bottom of the centerfold map denotes Hayden and Craig. Park is located off the river miles between public access sites. It is the The access is south of Colorado State Highway responsibility of the river user to know where he/she U.S. Highway 40, near 394 south of Craig at is and what type of land ownership he/she is passing a small metal railroad the developed ball field through. Often during a boating season, the river building called Dorsey. complex. This site has a becomes impassible due to low water. The sections No overnight camping is launch/parking area on that remain floatable take many hours to navigate. allowed. This site has no the river. Moffat County Please plan accordingly for your trips. improvements. manages and owns SiteSite ##66 the land. Overnight Sites that are managed by Colorado Parks and camping is available by South Beach a.k.a. Wildlife require a daily or annual vehicle pass. In permission only (ask a Yampa Project Site #7 addition, a camping permit is required at specific county park manager). pump station is sites. Daily passes and camping permits are available SiteSite # #44 located approximately Duffy Mountain is located 32 miles downstream at self-service dispensers at each site. All passes are three miles south of from South Beach and about 30 miles southwest of also available at the park headquarters near Hayden. Yampa Valley Craig off Colorado Craig. Take U.S. Highway 40 west of Craig for 19 Golf Course State Highway 13. The miles to Moffat County Road 17. County Road 17 is is located south of Craig access road to the large located near the town of Lay. Drive approximately SiteSite ##11 off Colorado State parking lot belongs to 10.2 miles to Bureau of Land Management Road Highway 394 near the Tri-State and Trapper 1593 and turn left. The river access site is one mile farther on the right. Improvements at the site include Pump Station is airport. No overnight Mining Inc. The a vault toilet, boat ramp, parking and picnic sites. located approximately camping is allowed. This water intake channel Overnight camping is available with a valid camping five miles east of Hayden site has no improvements. is open to fishing, permit, which can be purchased at the site. off U.S. Highway 40 The City of Craig and but boat launching Moffat County own the site. is prohibited. The on the north side of the SiteSite # #22 Note: For legal and safety reasons, parking at An undeveloped boat ramp boat ramp is located highway. Overnight Government bridge is not permitted. camping is not allowed. Yampa River State is available. through access in west parking lot. Vault The Public Service Park Headquarters toilets are available. Company water intake is located 2 miles west To protect natural structure is located of Hayden off Highway resources, the wooded next to the access site. 40 on the south side area northeast of the Please do not trespass of the highway. The pump station is open on the Public Service headquarters site to foot traffic only. Company’s intake has boating access, Overnight camping is structure property. A boat campsites, a camper allowed ONLY with launch is available, and services building with the permission of the this site has vault toilets. showers/laundry, a Yampa River State Park Visitor Center and a CAUTION: A water Manager. nature trail. Camping diversion exists between reservations are sites #1 and #2 (just recommended during before the Headquarters busy summer months. access). There is a boat chute on the right side of the diversion. Yampa River State Park Designated Public Access Sites operated by state park

managed by different organization

10 R   9 3 11 8 5 4 2 13 12 6 1 7 Public Access Sites 1 Pump Station 2 Yampa River State Park Headquarters 3 State Wildlife Area 4 Yampa Valley Golf Course 5 Moffat County’s Loudy Simpson Park 6 South Beach a.k.a. Yampa Project Pump Station 7 Duffy Mountain 8 Juniper Canyon 9 Maybell Bridge 10 Sunbeam 13 12 11 10 987654 32 1 Road Miles Headquarters to Steamboat - 27 miles 11 East Cross Mountain Headquarters to Craig - 17 miles 9 mi.4 mi. 12 mi. 17 mi.6 mi. 12 mi. 32 mi. 5.5 mi.3.5 mi. 10 mi.7 mi. 13 mi. Headquarters to Elkhead Res. - 14 miles 12 West Cross Mountain 13 Deerlodge Park SiteSite ##88 Site #9#9 River Etiquette The Yampa River attracts many different types of Juniper Canyon is located 12 miles down Maybell Bridge visitors. Following some very basic principles will Great Blue Heron river from Duffy Mountain Access Site. Take is located 28 miles make the visit more positive for both users and U.S. Highway 40 west out of Craig for about 20 west of Craig on U.S. landowners in the Yampa Valley. Here are some miles to Moffat County Road 53. Drive south Highway 40. The things to keep in mind during your visit: about 3.6 miles to Moffat County Road 74 and access site is located turn right (west) for 0.8 mile. The improved site south of the highway. 1. The river passes through areas of private has a vault toilet, picnic sites, parking and boat The improved site has property. Don’t trespass! Please respect the ramp. Overnight camping is available with a valid a vault toilet, parking, river’s neighbors. Pay attention to the private/ camping permit, which can be purchased on site. picnic sites public signing system implemented for the and boat ramp. river users’ benefit to indicate where private CAUTION: Due to Class III rapids, open canoeists Overnight camping is properties are located. should not travel over the diversion dam located available with a valid in Juniper Canyon. Canoeists and inexperienced camping permit, which 2. Trash? Bring it out with you. Someone boaters should portage on the right or left side can be purchased SiteSite ##1111 else left it? Why not bring it out, too? of the river. on site. The town of 3. Visitors on overnight float trips are Maybell is three miles East Cross west on U.S. Highway encouraged to carry all human waste Mountain out of the river corridor. Must pack out waste. 40. is located approximately 18 miles southwest of 4. Use a firepan to confine ashes and charcoal Maybell. Take U.S. and keep the ground clean. Use only fallen Highway 40 west of deadwood or driftwood for campfires. Firepan Maybell about 13.6 is required. miles to Moffat County Road 85. Drive north on 5. Wash dishes away from camp. Strain wash Moffat County Road 85 water and pack out strainer garbage. Always SiteSite ##1010 to the Bureau of Land use biodegradable soap. Management Road 1551 Sunbeam is located and then 1.5 miles. 6. Please keep noise to a respectable level - approximately seven Visitors should be aware for wildlife, nearby homeowners and others miles northwest of that rough roads may SiteSite # 12#12 & #13#13 enjoying the river. exist. The improved Maybell. Take U.S. West Cross 7. Always carry required safety equipment. Highway 40 out of site has a vault toilet, parking, picnic sites and Mountain & Maybell to State Deerlodge Park Highway 318. Drive six boat ramp. Camping is permitted with a valid are located between miles to Moffat County Cross Mountain Canyon Road 23 that leads to the camping permit, which can be purchased on site. and Dinosaur National access site. There are no Monument. Both access improvements or change Tables and fire rings are provided. sites are in the care of the facilities. No overnight National Park Service. camping is allowed. CAUTION: Boaters at Deerlodge Please pack out all trash. Class V rapids do exist in Park must have a permit the Cross Mountain Canyon. to float on the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument.