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Summit Lake Campground generally does not open until Mid July and is located on Buffalo Pass in the Steamboat Springs Area. It provides 9 back-in campsites and 6 walk-in tent sites. Each site has a table and a fire grate, and vault toilets and trash service is offered. Day Use is also obtainable in two parking lots provided for the visitor to use while fishing or picnicking. Only hand powered watercraft are permitted on Summit Lake, with no boat ramp available. This campground provides great opportunities for mountain biking, dirt biking and ATVing, horseback riding, fishing and hiking. It is located near the boundary of Mount Zirkel Wilderness which offers numerous backcountry opportunities. This campground is managed by the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District.
Directions from Steamboat Springs: Travel 2 miles north of Steamboat Springs on Routt County Road 36 (Strawberry Park Road), then 13 miles northeast on Routt County Road 38 (Buffalo Pass Road). Campground is at the summit.
My favorite lake on this drive by far, if you go early in the spring you can find babies Mountain Goats and Mountain Sheep!
The views at Summit Lake are breathtaking, literally and figuratively. It's a must stop along the road to the Mt. Evans summit.
Awesome views. Road closes early October, so plan accordingly. Views of Chicago lake are a short hike away. Small parking lot, bathrooms, and a stone hut are up there. Stone hut stays open for a while, it was open in late October when I hunted in the area
Really don't have anything bad to say about it. It's a good parking area to enjoy a hike up the mountain. The lake is very pretty, probably overshot in a photographic sense. Beware the road in front of the lake, it is very rough although it is paved. Nothing 99.9% of cars shouldn't be able to handle but still.
Incredible place. High altitude. Tight road to get there. Completely worth the drive.
