Steamboat Lake State Park
State Park in Clark, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Sunday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
61105 RCR 129
Clark, CO 80428
United States
Steamboat Lake State Park
State Park in Clark, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Sunday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
61105 RCR 129
Clark, CO 80428
United States
Boats on the lake with a view of the mountains
Park Highlight
Explore Steamboat Lake
The park's main attraction is the 1,053-surface-acre lake that rests in valley surrounded by mountains and views of the Continental Divide. A full-service marina and swim beach provide amenities for active water play. The lake is very rarely crowded, and is ideally zoned to be well suited for everything from waterskiing to trolling.
Lake Facilities
Facilities
Northwest (Marina) Boat Ramp
The boat ramp and Steamboat Lake Marina are located on the northwest corner of the lake and accessed from County Road 62. Boat inspections are required before launching and are available at the Marina Boat Ramp only. See the Mandatory Boat Inspections area lower on the page for more information.
Starting May 23, 2025, hours of operation for the boat ramp will be:
- Sunday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NOTE: The Placer Cove Boat Ramp will not be open this year.
The Placer Cove boat ramp is located on the northwest side of the lake, near Placer Cove campground, accessible from County Road 129.
Dock, cabin and boat rentals, fuel, snacks, camping supplies and firewood are available at the marina. The marina is located on the northwest side of the lake.
Campers can leave their boats along the shore near their campsite or rent dock space from the marina. A boat trailer storage area, located west of the marina, is available for visitors staying at the park. Visit the marina website or call them at 970-879-7019.
A fishing pier is available at Sage Flats on the east side of the lake.
The swim area is in the Dutch Hill Campground by the marina parking . The swim beach is located in the Placer Cove Day Use Area and is tested regularly throughout the summer for water quality. Colorado State Park swim beaches do not have lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk. Children must be supervised by adults at all times.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
The park contains a beautiful 1,053-surface-acre lake at 8,100 feet, surrounded by mountains including views of the Continental Divide. Some coves and inlets are restricted to wakeless boating and are indicated by buoys. A large portion of the lake is zoned for wake boating, water skiers and jet skiers to enjoy.
Please note, if you are not camping or have not rented a slip you cannot leave your boat on the water overnight. Please observe all boating laws and regulations.
The lake is open approximately from the end of May through November 1 each year.
Boat Inspections
All boats must be inspected for aquatic nuisance species before launching. See hours and more information below under the Mandatory Boat Inspections section.
Fishing
Steamboat Lake offers excellent opportunities for bait, lure and fly fishing.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for Steamboat Lake
Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish. Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the BrochureLand and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the BrochureMandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Steamboat
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required for all trailered, motorized and sail powered vessels. Any violators going around locked gates or otherwise launching without inspection will be cited.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.
Inspection Hours
Inspections are available at the Marina Boat Ramp only. Starting May 23, 2025, hours of operation for the boat ramp will be Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If there are no inspectors at the Marina Boat Ramp during regular hours of inspection, call the Visitor Center (starting 5/23/2025 hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at 970-879-3922.
To speed up the inspection process, boaters are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their vessel beforehand. If ANS are detected on any watercraft, decontamination is required.
A seal of inspection is required and can be obtained at an inspection station, the Visitor Center or by contacting a ranger. Before you launch, remove the seal from your boat and place in the drop box along with the seal receipt. Launching outside of inspection hours is prohibited without a valid seal and receipt.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANSOh, SHELL NO
Be a Pain in the ANS
Recreation in Colorado’s water could be impacted by the spread of invasive species in the water. Aquatic nuisance species(ANS) are invasive species that damage bodies of water. This can have huge impacts on many of the industries and products we all know and love: wine, corn, beer, peaches, drinking water, outdoor recreation and many more. If you’re recreating in the water, you can be a Pain in the ANS — and stop the spread of invasive species. Take Action: Clean, drain and dry your watercraft and gear.
Water Activities
Swimming
The swim beach is located adjacent to the marina parking lot. There are no lifeguards on duty. Swim at your own risk. Children must be supervised by adults at all times.
Jet Skiing
Approximately half of the lake is open to wake speed boating, including jet skis. Please remember to wear your life jacket.
Paddle Boarding
Over a thousand acres of gorgeous waters beckon both beginners and enthusiasts! Rent paddle boards on site from the marina as availability permits. Pay attention to weather, especially winds, and wear a life jacket.
Water Skiing
Approximately one half of the lake is available for wake speed boating. Please make sure your boat has a dedicated observer with an orange flag, in addition to the operator.
Windsurfing
The west side of the lake is wakeless and idea for sail sports.
Sailing
Come sail at Steamboat Lake. The west side of the lake is wakeless.
Nearby Lakes
Pearl Lake
Enjoy more wakeless boating and fishing at Pearl Lake, only 12 minutes away. Visitors regularly go back and forth between the two parks.