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 surround the lake, and while they are under attack from pine beetles just like elsewhere in the state, it is still a good place to find things like Mountain Bluebird and other common montane forest species. Mule deer and red foxes are common in the park.
County: Routt
Habitat: Lodgepole Forest, Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Marsh, Wet Meadow
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.
Delorme: 16 B2
Roads of Colorado: 36 C1
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours:
Ownership: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Admission: State Parks Pass
Restrictions: None
Parking: Parking areas
Lodging: Camping
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some car birding
Elevation: 8100
Latitude: 40.80886
Longitude: -106.95247
Amenities
Restrooms | Yes |
Drinking Fountain | Yes |
Gravel Trails | Yes |
Paved Trails | No |
Platform/Blind | No |
Boardwalk | No |
Concession | Yes |
Visitor Center | Yes |
Gift Shop | Yes |
Primitive | No |
Camping | Yes |
Picnic | Yes |
Hunting | No |
Fishing | Yes |