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
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
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.
Visitors can purchase daily passes at the self-service station located at the entrance to the boat ramp. Annual passes can be purchased at the nearby Yampa River Visitor Center.
Elkhead does not have a Visitor Center. Instead, visit the Yampa River Visitor Center and park office located at 6185 US-40, Hayden, CO 81639, on Highway 40 between the cities of Craig and Hayden.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
The boat ramp is located in the southwest corner of the park close to the entrance station.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
---|---|---|---|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10 |
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
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 |
Visitors 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
Mammals You Might Find
- American Badger
- Pronghorn Antelope
- Red Fox
- Mule Deer
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Prairie Rattlesnake
- Common Sagebrush Lizard
- Smooth Greensnake
- Boreal Chorus Frog
Habitats and Plants at This Park
Elkhead Reservoir is a 900-acre reservoir with riparian habitat above and around the lake. It is located in the sagebrush-shrub community and is surrounded by agriculture fields and grassland. Sandstone cliffs and rocky outcrops are prominent to the north. The reservoir itself provides habitat for many different species of birds and mammals. The area is relatively flat, with rolling hills and a few higher bluffs. All species, large or small, seem to be more visible during the early or late hours of the day.
Large ungulates can be seen all year in the sagebrush and agriculture fields surrounding the reservoir. Mule deer can be seen throughout the year. They use the sagebrush primarily for cover and feed in the alfalfa fields adjacent to the reservoir. Pronghorn antelope are more common spring through fall and are usually found in the agricultural fields adjacent to the area. Elk use the area in very late fall and through the winter. They can be seen in the sage and in the stubble fields that surround the reservoir.
Upcoming Events
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Monday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Monday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
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.