Elkhead Reservoir Campground

There are 2 campgrounds on the reservoir. Bear Ears is totally no services and Pronghorn has electricity. The hassle part is they are all reserved sites. We came into Bear Ears and there was only one other camper. We were on hold for 30 minutes to make a reservation. We paid $28 plus $9 for a vehicle pass for a bare site. Obviously $37 for a no services site is too high. In addition the bank was so high we could not get to the water.

Colorado parks will be our last resort camping.

We stayed in Bears Ear site 9, which we think is the best one in the park. It had a short walk to a small beach. Site 8 also had access to this beach. We stayed here Monday night, August 29th, and were the only ones in the Bears Ear campground, other than the host. Bears Ear has no hook-ups. However, Pronghorn has electric and our choices for sites would be 29, 30 & 34.

We just did an overnight while traveling. But, would come back to paddle, mountain bike and stargaze.

With our WeBoost, we varied between 2 & 3 bars for AT&T and Verizon.

Stayed at the Pronghorn Campground which is a nice, newer campground. Campground was nearly empty on Sunday and Monday evenings. Easy access to lake from our site. Campground has no shade as it's located in the high desert. PROS: 50 amps, large/spacious sites, no road noise, clean vault toilets, quiet campground, shade shelters at each site, several nice hiking trails throughout park. CONS: No potable water whatsoever, no cell service, no OTA channels. Recommendations: fill up water tank(s) at Yampa State Park, take a day trip to Dinosaur National Monument. You can get a cell signal at the top of hill behind campground, near the Pay Station. Reserve a site on the outer loop for more space and better lake access.

I don’t think I’ve ever stayed in such a nice and new state park campground. The sites in Pronghorn are HUGE. Backed in my 30 foot rig and probably could have put another one right in front of it. Electric (50/30/20) only, and no water anywhere in the park, but clean, new, and surprisingly quiet. Very few boats on the reservoir despite it being a late June weekend with a fishing tournament and temps in the mid 70s. Quite a contrast to most Colorado state park reservoirs where you can reach out and touch the bot next to you. No trees, but nice shelters at each spot and plenty of hiking trails. Close enough to Craig of you need something but far enough away that there is no hustle and bustle. Check before you arrive as to fire bans this summer. Cell coverage is touch and go in pronghorn campground but a short walk to the entrance and there is 3 bars of T-Mobile LTE.

Additional state park pass required in addition to camping fee.
New campgrounds in great condition.
Concrete pads for disabled campers otherwise mostly level RV dirt pads. Each has a fire ring, a large, tent pad and covered picnic tables. The picnic table shelters in Pronghorn will support a hammock. Vault toilets only.
Bears-ears has no hook ups.
Pronghorn has 50/30/20 amp electric service.
Cellular service is weak to none. I was unable to get a TV or good radio signal in the campground.
Both campgrounds are close to the water.
There are no trees.