Steamboat Lake State Park
A large, very scenic lake nested in a wide valley, Steamboat Lake is an excellent all-around birding site and well worth a visit. The lake itself has a good number of nesting waterfowl (mostly common species), and can be a decent stop during migration for a variety of divers and sometimes a loon or a grebe. The meadows on the way there and around the lake are good for Sandhill Crane, and marshy areas along the lake margin have Yellow-headed Blackbird and Savannah Sparrow. Lodgepole pine woodlands surrounding the lake it is a good place to find Yellow Warblers, White-crowned Sparrows, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Western Tanagers, Red-napped Sapsuckers and Mountain Chickadees. and other common montane forest species. Mule deer and red foxes are common in the park.
Restrictions: None
County: Routt
Directions: From Steamboat Springs, go west on US 40 to CO 129 and turn right (north) toward Clark; continue on CO 129 18 miles north to the park. There are various access points around the east and north sides of Steamboat Lake.
Alternate Directions: From Steamboat Springs, head west on US 40 to Elk River Road just outside town. Turn right and go 26 miles to the entrance, on the left.
Habitat: Lodgepole Forest, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Wet Meadow
Dates of Access: Open year round
Hours: 24 hours
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission or Fees: State Parks Pass
Parking: Parking areas
Lodging: Camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some car birding
Delorme: 16 B2
ROC: 36 C1
Latitude: 40.80886
Longitude: -106.95247