C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
W I L D L I F E
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
FACT SHEET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
Who we are
Colorado Parks and Wildlife utilizes the principles of conservation - the wise use of natural resources - to effectively manage
fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education for the citizens
of Colorado and its visitors. Elkhead Reservoir State Park is a hidden gem in Northwest Colorado, offering over 900 acres of water
for recreational boating and an excellent cool/warmwater fishery. Due to the warmer climate, Elkhead Reservoir State Park is an
excellent destination for early and late season hiking and mountain biking, with over 10 miles of trails running throughout the
park providing scenic views of the surrounding area. The 16-site Bear’s Ears campground at the south end of the reservoir is
perfect for weekend getaways.
Top attractions
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Home to a variety of sportfish, including
largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Plus, catch
and keep all the northern pike and smallmouth
bass you can.
900 acres of reservoir for water skiing, shore and
boat fishing and swimming.
Camping opportunities located in the “Elk Capital”
of Colorado that serve as an excellent base camp for
hunters.
Great access to Routt National Forest and U.S.
Bureau of Land Management public lands.
Home of the annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing
Classic.
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Yampa River Legacy partners: Routt County, Moffat
County, Town of Hayden, City of Steamboat, U.S.
Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service,
The Nature Conservancy, Yampa Valley Land Trust.
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Property Landowners: The City of Craig and the
Colorado River Water Conservation District
Challenges we face
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Currently, there are no data connections available at the park and customers must purchase passes at self-service stations or travel to
nearby parks/offices.
Due to a requirement to recover endangered native fish, Elkhead Reservoir is working with our partners, including local anglers, to
convert the existing fishery consisting primarily of nonnative smallmouth bass and northern pike, to a fishery consisting of approved
species, including largemouth bass, black crappie and bluegill.
Volunteer activities
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Our campground host and work camper programs continue to provide much needed support to park staff in order to keep Elkhead
Reservoir operating smoothly.
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Elkhead Reservoir State Park partners with local groups such as the Parrotheads, Totally Kids and Hayden Public Schools to perform
various projects around Elkhead Reservoir, such as tree planting and trail maintenance.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us
VICK SCHENDEL/CPW
Our partners
135 CR 28, Craig, CO 81625
(970) 276-2061 • Email: elkhead.park@state.co.us
Park Manager: Jacob Brey
As of June 30, 2017
Manager’s Message
Our staff is excited to expand the recreation activities available at Elkhead Reservoir State Park. Within the next year, we will
construct a 30-site electric hook-up campground. We have completed work on the trail system, and recently added new trailhead
signage and trail maps. Last year, we completed construction of a workshop with an office area. This will help us expand
customer service to our visitors in the future while allowing dedicated resources to remain at Elkhead Reservoir. Park staff has
been working to provide increased opportunities for hunting and fishing by extending hunt areas and the length of the boating
season and stocking approved fish species, including largemouth bass. To prevent the escapement of nonnative predators,
Elkhead Reservoir installed a large fish screen at the reservoir's spillway, a feature that gives the park time to transition to a
fishery consisting of approved species.
Annual Visitation
152,931
Geography
Region: Northwest
County: Routt and Moffat
Year Acquired: 2006
Elevation: 6,365 ft
Miles From Denver: 196
Facilities
2 Boat Ramps
20 Picnic Sites
Governmental
US Cong Dist: 3rd
CO Senate: 8th
CO House: 57th& 26th
Trails
Biking: 10.5 miles
Hiking: 10.5 miles
Horseback: 10 miles
Cross Country Skiing/
Snowshoeing: 10.5 miles
Total: 10.5 miles
Employees
Temporary: 9
Roads
Unpaved: 3 miles
Acreage
Total Acres: 2,105
Recreation
Boating
Fishing
Hunting
Ice Fishing
Jet Skiing
Ranger/Nature Programs
Sailboarding
Swimming
Water Skiing
Wildlife/Bird Viewing
Camping
Campsites (basic, seasonal): 16
138
Walden
Elkhead
Reservoir
Craig Hayden
Steamboat
Springs
40
Fort
Collins
14
Estes
Park
125
14
Loveland
6
Greeley
34
Oak Creek
36
131
134
Fort Brush
Morgan
76
13
Meeker
Sterling
14
85
Kremmling
40
34
Wray
Brighton
287
Denver
93
Golden
Avon Vail
Rifle
385
Breckenridge
Collbran
Fruita
36
70
Frisco
Glenwood
Springs
85
Castle
Rock
285
330
Leadville
Aspen
Grand Junction
82
24
86
Fairplay
Limon
Burlington
70
24
40
65
Paonia133
Hotchkiss
Buena
Vista
Crawford
Olathe
Montrose
Colorado Springs
Kit Carson
67
Cripple Creek
Gunnison
9
Salida
92
50
Canon City
550
287
50
Ridgway
Pueblo
285
Ouray
Lamar
50
25
La Junta
Dove
Creek
350
Walsenburg
160
491
Monte Vista
Dolores
Cortez
550
Mancos
160
150
Alamosa
La Veta
Springfield
Pagosa
Springs
Durango
12
172
285
160
Trinidad
151
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us
VICK SCHENDEL/CPW
Delta
VICK SCHENDEL/CPW
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
