Yampa River State Park
🛶 Trusted Guide to Colorado’s Wild River Corridor – Updated 2025
134 Miles of Colorado’s Last Wild River
Stretching 134 miles from near Hayden to Dinosaur National Monument, Yampa River State Park is Colorado’s widest-ranging state park — a linear corridor following the Yampa, one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the West. With 13 river access points, 50 campsites at the headquarters, and 6 primitive camping areas along the route, this park is built for paddlers, anglers, and anyone seeking the authentic Colorado river experience. The Yampa offers everything from lazy flat-water floating to Class I-V whitewater, all through spectacular canyon and plateau country in Routt and Moffat counties.
River Recreation
- Rafting & Kayaking: 134 miles of paddling from Class I flat water to Class V whitewater sections
- 13 river access points: Launch and take-out sites along the full corridor
- Fishing: Outstanding trout and pike fishing along the entire stretch — Colorado license required
- Elkhead Reservoir: Additional boating and fishing on a separate lake within the park system
Camping Along the River
The park’s headquarters campground near Hayden offers 50 sites (35 electric RV, 10 tent, 5 group) with showers and laundry. Six primitive riverside camping areas along the 134-mile stretch offer backcountry solitude — most have a 2-night maximum stay.
Practical Tips
- From Steamboat Springs (25 miles): Take US-40 West to the headquarters near Hayden
- Entry fee: $10 per vehicle day pass
- The Yampa is a free-flowing river — water levels vary dramatically with season and snowmelt
- Peak rafting is May-June when snowmelt swells the river — check flow rates before launching
- Primitive sites have no water or facilities — pack everything in and out
- Combine with Dinosaur National Monument for a multi-day river adventure through Gates of Lodore
