Elkhead Reservoir State Park

State Park in Craig, CO

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10

Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

135 County Road 28
Craig, CO 81625
United States

Contact:

970-276-2061

elkhead.park@state.co.us

Fax:

970-276-2063

Elkhead Reservoir offers a wide variety of activities for water lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. 

Elkhead Reservoir State Park

State Park in Craig, CO

Elkhead Reservoir offers a wide variety of activities for water lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. 

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10

Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

135 County Road 28
Craig, CO 81625
United States

Contact:

970-276-2061

elkhead.park@state.co.us

Fax:

970-276-2063

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Scenic view of Elkhead Reservoir

Scenic view of Elkhead Reservoir

Welcome to Elkhead Reservoir State Park

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Elkhead Reservoir State Park, located in the beautiful Yampa Valley of northwest Colorado, is an oasis in the high desert. The park’s 900-acre reservoir provides endless recreational opportunities including boating, swimming, jet skiing, wildlife watching, ​hiking and camping.

2,100

acres

900

reservoir surface acres

42

campsites

10.5

miles of trails

Directions

Accessing the Park

From Craig
Travel East on Highway 40 approximately 7 miles until you reach MCR 29. Turn left on MCR 29 and continue north for 4 miles. Turn right on MCR 28 to enter the park. Continue on MCR 28 across the dam to reach Bear's Ears Campground.

Fees and Passes

Daily Vehicle Pass

Single vehicle and its occupants

1 Day

$10-$12

Individual Daily Pass

For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks

1 Day

$4

Keep Colorado Wild Pass

DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents

12 Months

$29

Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed)

Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants

12 Months

$80

Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag)

Members of the same household

12 Months

$120

Aspen Leaf Annual Pass

Colorado residents 64+

12 Months

$70

Centennial Pass

Income-eligible Colorado residents

12 Months

$14

Columbine Pass

Colorado residents with disabilities

12 Months

$14

Veterans License Plate

DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates)

Lifetime

Free

Independence Lifetime Pass

Colorado resident veterans with disabilities

Lifetime

Free

Blue Spruce Pass

Colorado resident first responders with disabilities

Lifetime

$10

Nature and Wildlife

Elkhead Reservoir has a shoreline habitat above and around the lake. It sits in a sagebrush-shrub area and is surrounded by farmland and grassy fields, along with rolling hills, sandstone cliffs, and rocky outcrops to the north. The lake is home to various birds and mammals, offering a diverse habitat for different species.

Be on the Lookout for Birds

Can you spot all 212 bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).

Birds You Might Find

  • Golden Eagle
  • Great Blue Heron
  • Western Sandpiper
  • Bufflehead
Great blue heron on water's edge

Upcoming Events

Jun

21

Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic Tournament

Saturday, Jun 21 - Sunday, Jun 29

Elkhead Reservoir State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to the annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic at Elkhead Reservoir State Park. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Jun

21

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic Tournament

Saturday, Jun 21 - Sunday, Jun 29

Elkhead Reservoir State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to the annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic at Elkhead Reservoir State Park. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Jun

21

Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic Tournament

Saturday, Jun 21 - Sunday, Jun 29

Elkhead Reservoir State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to the annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic at Elkhead Reservoir State Park. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate.

Jun

21

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic Tournament

Saturday, Jun 21 - Sunday, Jun 29

Elkhead Reservoir State Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife invites you to the annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic at Elkhead Reservoir State Park. Anglers of all ages are encouraged to participate.

History

  • 1974: Elkhead Reservoir is constructed on Elkhead Creek as part of a recreation and wildlife area, and to serve as a backup water supply for the City of Craig and the Craig Power generating station. 
  • 1996: The State Board of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund approves a Legacy Grant for preserving natural values within the Yampa River System and improving recreational use. Colorado State Parks is identified as the agency to provide recreation management in the river corridor, including Elkhead Reservoir. 
  • 1998: Colorado State Parks begins management of recreational use and facilities at Elkhead Reservoir. The Reservoir is owned by the city of Craig. 
  • 2009: The Colorado River Water Conservation District finishes the expansion on the reservoir, and phase one of the park redevelopment is completed. Elkhead Reservoir now offers 900 surface acres of water and 2,105 acres of land. Newly developed boat ramps, swim beaches, picnic sites and camping facilities are open to the public.