Seedhouse Campground / Group Campground. Easy to get to yet far enough from Denver, and not too many idiots, besides yours truly. With pandemics and fire bans making for an interesting summer of 2020, you better call some ranger stations to see what wilderness and counties are allowing campfires (since camping without a fire sucks). That’s like camping without beer. Just stupid.
Medicine Bow/Routt National Forest (this week) only has a Stage 1 fire ban, but that means only campfires in designated spots. Not in Dispersed areas. As always call ahead to the ranger stations in the areas you are going to camp in. A link to all Fire Bans is here. Click on the area on the map and you can find the phone numbers for the stations. On your way in or out, do not miss the Clark Store. Like Luckenbach, Texas, it is a small store in the middle of nowhere that boasts all that you need. It serves as the post office, liquor store, deli, and pizza joint. Grab a sticker for your cooler.
This Group Site is very exposed and when we were there it was hotter than two rats screwing in a wool sock. All the trees in the site have been cleared since the piece of shit pine beetles killed them all. The forest service has planted trees but they are only as tall as a tall adult. Wisely, they built a shade pavilion with picnic tables to beat the heat and the afternoon showers. The water pump is a workout but the water is cold and clean coming out. I wouldn’t say the bathrooms are pleasurable, but they are not disgusting.
If you are in the area camping or whatever, reserve tickets at Strawberry Park Hot Springs. It has only improved over the years with better facilities but still that gypsy feel we have come to love over the past fifteen years. Beware the After Dark crowd. They bath naturally.
It is a short hike from the parking area to the actual camping area, but if you are pulling your food and beer in a Rovr, there is nothing to worry about baby!
From this area there are excellent hiking opportunities including the Zirkel Circle if you are in great shape and leave early.
Also, the Elk river is worth fishing. It is hard to get to in most places because the banks are so overgrown, but once you get to the river, the bugs are everywhere and it’s a must to sling some big stimulators to the pools and riffles. The aggressive brookies are exactly where you think they are and beautiful. The occasional Brown Trout will also rise, but they are few and far between the higher you go.
From the end of the road, hike up to one of many high alpine lakes for large cutthroats but be ready for a strenuous hike. Probably why there are so many fish up there. Keeps the weak at heart from getting up there.
From Steamboat Springs, head north onto Elk River Road 129 towards Clark. In about a mile, turn right onto Seedhouse Road 64. Look for the five lazy bay horses. Stay on that road and you will end up seeing the signs for the Seedhouse campground and then the Group Site (which you will obviously need a reservation for). See the map below for the site location.
If you want to disperse camp in the area, look for road 400 that parallels the river. Can be crowded so get there early. See map below and even more here.
The Confluences 