Elkhead Reservoir State Park
State Park in Craig, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
135 County Road 28
Craig, CO 81625
United States
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
State Park in Craig, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
135 County Road 28
Craig, CO 81625
United States
Park Highlight
Explore Elkhead Reservoir
The park's main attraction is the 900 surface-acre reservoir. The reservoir provides endless recreational opportunities, including boating, swimming, jet skiing, water skiing, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and fishing.
Reservoir Facilities
Facilities
The main Elkhead boat ramp is open from May 19 to September 30, annually, and is located in the southwest area of the park, west of the Elkhead dam. It's a two-lane concrete ramp with a 4% grade. There are 38 parking spaces available for vehicles with trailers nearby. This is where boat inspections take placere done. See the Mandatory Boat Inspections section below for more information.
Boats can also be hand launched from the northeast access point, which is north of East Beach and accessible from County Road 28.
Boat Ramp Hours of Operation
- May: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- June and July: 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- August: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- September: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Swimming is allowed at the swim beach and all designated wakeless areas. The swim beach is located at the East Beach on the east side of the reservoir and accessed from County Road 28.
A personal floatation device must be worn while in the water except in a designated swimming area.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
Boating on over 900 surface acres can satisfy the power boater, skier or angler looking for a more remote experience. aquatic nuisance species pre-inspection is required for boats prior to launching.
Fishing
Elkhead Reservoir is a warmwater fishery that contains largemouth and smallmouth bass, tiger muskie, northern pike, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for Elkhead
State record walleye have been caught at the reservoir. Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the BrochureLand and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the BrochureMandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Elkhead
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.
Inspection Hours
Please call the Yampa River Visitor Center at 970-276-2061 if you require a decontamination of a house boat, wakeboard boat or any other large ballast boat. This is to ensure we have proper staffing at the Aquatic Nuisance Species Inspection Station during the time of your visit.
Boat inspections take place at the main Elkhead boat ramp, located at the southern portion of the reservoir, west of the Elkhead dam.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussel, quagga mussel, New Zealand mudsnail, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANSOh, SHELL NO
Be a Pain in the ANS
Recreation in Colorado’s water could be impacted by the spread of invasive species in the water. Aquatic nuisance species(ANS) are invasive species that damage bodies of water. This can have huge impacts on many of the industries and products we all know and love: wine, corn, beer, peaches, drinking water, outdoor recreation and many more. If you’re recreating in the water, you can be a Pain in the ANS — and stop the spread of invasive species. Take Action: Clean, drain and dry your watercraft and gear.
Water Activities
Jet Skiing
Paddle Boarding
Sailing
