Vaughn Lake campground
Vaughn Lake
The campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis and has 16 campsites available.
An interesting fact about Vaughn Lake is that it is a popular spot for fishing and is stocked with trout. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with a variety of bird species found in the area.
The best time to visit Vaughn Lake Camping Area is between June and September, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to mid-70s. It is important to note that the campground is at high elevation and is subject to sudden changes in weather, so visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures and potential storms. Overall, Vaughn Lake Camping Area offers a serene and secluded camping experience with stunning views and outdoor recreational opportunities.
What's on-site at Vaughn Lake
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Vaughn Lake, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripple Creek Pass | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Sheriff Reservoir Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Sheriffs Reservoir | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Himes Peak | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Himes Peak Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Vaughn Lake -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Yampa River Above Stagecoach Reservoir | 12 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Stagecoach Reservoir | 15 cfs | → |
| White River Below North Elk Creek Near Buford | 508 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Above Elkhead Creek Near Hayden | 1,560 cfs | → |
| Elkhead Creek Near Craig | 77 cfs | → |
| Yampa River Below Craig | 1,740 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Vaughn Lake -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripple Creek | 6.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Ripple Creek | 6.0 in | 2.0 in | → |
| Trapper Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Trapper Lake | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Crosho | 1.0 in | -1.0 in | → |
| Crosho | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Routt National Forest
- Stagecoach State Park
- Wilderness Flat Tops
- Elkhead State Park
- Emerald Field
- Wilderness Sarvis Creek
Fishing spots
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Vaughn Lake as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Vaughn Lake
Can I make reservations at Vaughn Lake?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Vaughn Lake?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Vaughn Lake.