Recreation

Welcome to Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland! Visitor opportunities abound on almost 2.9 million acres of National Forest System lands.

The Medicine Bow and Routt National Forests provide year-round recreation opportunities for you. These activities include hiking, biking, camping, snowmobiling, skiing, horseback riding, OHV riding, fishing and hunting, just to name a few. Elevation ranges from 5,500 to 12,940 feet. Beautiful vistas await sightseers and photographers. The Thunder Basin National Grassland provides unique opportunities for recreation, including hiking, sightseeing, hunting, and fishing. Elevation on the national grassland ranges from 3,600 to 5,200 feet.

Recreation sites are subdivided into the areas seen in the map on the right. Use the dropdown above to explore recreation areas by activity. For information on specific sites or areas, use the map below or the "Find An Area" feature in the right sidebar.

 

Current Recreation Conditions

Spotlights

Fish Creek Falls TH: Trail #1102

 

Trail Map

Fish Creek Falls Trailhead #1102 provides a great view of the waterfalls from a wheelchair accessible overlook trail and a dirt trail leading to the base of the falls. A historical bridge, which crosses Fish Creek, continues the trail 5 miles to Long Lake and connects to Trail #1101 and Trail #1032. Vault toilet is provided. Area open year round, providing snow shoeing and ice climbing in the winter months.

Vedauwoo Campground

The campground is composed of two loops, winding around the boulders, slabs and cliffs of the Vedauwoo rock formation. The formation is made up of 10 square miles of weathered Sherman granite, providing lots of space to explore.  There are 28 campsites with tables, fire rings, trash pick up and vault toilets.  This area is constructed to blend in with the natural beauty of the surroundings.  The vegetation is a variety of Limber pine, Engleman spruce, Douglas fir, and Aspen. Potable water is available inside the RV campground, look for the water pump. There is access to rock climbing and a nature trail through the rocks.

The general area was once used as a hideout for outlaws. Native Americans thought playful spirits piled up the boulders.Some of the campsites are so secluded, one might feel the "outlaw's spirit." 

Bear Lake Campground

9/26/2024: This campground is now closed for the season and will re-open for the 2025 season. 

The Bear Lake Campground is located 11 miles outside of Yampa, Colorado on Forest Service Road 900. The campground opens annually June 15th (varies with weather).  You can find the typical range of outdoor recreation, from fishing and boating, to great hiking and also popular for big game hunting during the fall.

There are 43 campsites (3 double-site and 1 triple-site), vault toilets, potable water, and trash services. The sites are surrounded with a mixed conifer and aspen stand. Though Bear Lake is located outside the campground, the campsites do not offer lake views and only a few have views of the Flat Tops. 

(This campground can accomodate trailers up to 30 feet in length. (For those with longer trailers, we recommend the designated camp sites outside the campground which can accomodate trailers up to 40 feet.)

Dogs must remain on a leash at all times in the campground. 

Campers should come prepared with a variety of different insect repellants as the mosquitos are exceptionally thick this year.

If the campground is full, there are many other camping opportunities outside of the campground along Forest Service Road 900 which leads to the campground. These are designated dispersed sites that cost $10 per night and all offer a picnic table and firegrate. 

Free Day Use Area:
The Bear Lake Fishing Pier and Bear Lake Picnic Area are located within a short walk outside of the campground's entrance and are both free of charge for day use only. The lake is popular for trout fishing and can accomodate kayaks, belly boats, canoes and stand up paddle boarding. No camping is allowed at the day use area, however there are plenty of camping opportunities in the immediate area.  

This is a free day use area that accesses some great trout fishing and has a large fishing pier with perfect views of the Flat Tops Wilderness. There are 2 picnic tables and fire grates for picnicking. Bear Lake is popular to wade, shore, fly or spin fish.

Boaters should take pre-caution for their own safety by steering clear of the bridge at the dam on the lake for their own safety as there is a spillway that could make it dangerous for those on the water.

No camping is allowed at the day use area.

Additionally, those interested in hiking can access Mandall Lakes, Smith Lake, and Stillwater Trailhead nearby within a short drive along Forest Service Road 900. The trailheads are all clearly marked with a sign and can be seen from the road. 

For those requiring a boat launch ramp, we recommend Yamcolo Reservoir which is located just below Bear Lake Reservoir and also offers great trout fishing and also allows motorized boats. 

South Brush Creek Campground

South Brush Creek Campground is located on the west side of the Snowy Range along the shore of South Brush Creek. This sunny campground is composed of two sections located in a dense stand of Lodgepole pines, fir and Aspen trees next to South Brush Creek. The campground has 20 sites, with 6 pull-through sites for trailers under 25 feet. Amenities include picnic tables, fire grates, toilets, trash service, and a camp host on site, and water is available late May through mid September. Pets are allowed but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under control at all times. Many hiking, OHV, and fishing opportunities are available in the area.

Mirror Lake Picnic & Fishing Site

Mirror Lake is a popular picnic and fishing stop on the Snowy Range Highway. The site offers 15 picnic tables with scenic views near the base of Medicine Bow Peak. It provides lakeside access for fishing and a short, paved walking trail to the West Lake Marie Trailhead. Other popular hiking trails in the area include the Medicine Bow Peak, Lake Marie Falls, Lakes Trail and Miners Cabin Trails. This site should not be missed if you are traveling along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. No services mid-September through June.

Lincoln Park Campground

This campground is three miles off the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Hwy 130) beside North Brush Creek. Lincoln Park campground is situated at 7,800 feet elevation and offers a great base camp to explore the Medicine Bow National Forest. It includes 12 campsites suitable for trailer, tent, and RV camping. Sites include picnic tables and fire grates. Potable water, toilets, and trash services are accessible during the open season. 

Stump Hollow Trail, Cedar Creek Trail, and Kennaday Peak are popular OHV destinations and trails nearby. Kennaday Peak offers a panoramic view of the area. To plan your trail riding, check out the Motor Vehicle Use Map to ensure that you ride safely and legally.

Other activities include fishing in nearby streams that support populations of brook and brown trout. Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, picnicking, winter sports, and wildlife viewing opportunities abound in the Snowy Range area.