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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

Fax:

970-276-2063

Navigate to:

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.

    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

    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

    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

    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
      Great blue heron on water's edge

      Mammals You Might Find

      • American Badger
      • Pronghorn Antelope
      • Red Fox
      • Mule Deer
      Pronghorn standing in a grassy area

      Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find

      • Prairie Rattlesnake
      • Common Sagebrush Lizard 
      • Smooth Greensnake
      • Boreal Chorus Frog
      Prairie rattlesnake

      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.

      View of Elkhead Reservoir Park

      Upcoming Events

      Nov

      11

      Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military

      Monday, Nov 11

      Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

      As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National Guard free entry into Colorado state parks on Nov. 11, 2024.

      Nov

      11

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military

      Monday, Nov 11

      Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

      As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National Guard free entry into Colorado state parks on Nov. 11, 2024.

      Nov

      11

      Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military

      Monday, Nov 11

      Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

      As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National Guard free entry into Colorado state parks on Nov. 11, 2024.

      Nov

      11

      Registration Required:

      Event participants must register

      Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military

      Monday, Nov 11

      Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

      As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National Guard free entry into Colorado state parks on Nov. 11, 2024.

      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.