The Colorado State Parks Guide

Use this Colorado State Parks Guide to investigate the 42 Colorado State Parks scattered throughout the state. These public parks offer a variety of amenities and activities for people of all ages and abilities. State Parks are located in spectacular Colorado locations. Each park is unique; most state parks are centered around a lake and promote aquatic recreation; however, some are land-focused. All state parks feature trails, some more than others, and often provide access to National Forests with even more trails. The Yampa River State Park is novel, as it’s a series of 13 river access points, a headquarters, and various camping options along the way.

State Park Amenities

Almost all state parks provide camping; however, a few are for day use only. Some have extensive facilities, including visitor centers, marinas, hookups, showers, and washing facilities. Many parks provide various camping options, including cabin and/or yurt rentals, campsites, and remote camping. Each park is unique; click on the Colorado State Parks Guide links below to learn more about what that park has to offer.

Park Fees & Reservations

A Colorado State Park pass is required to enter; however, these fees are affordable and can be purchased online, at the park itself, or included with your Colorado state vehicle registration. Campsite reservations are often available, including reserving cabins or yurts for an additional fee. Some parks have special accommodations for event hosting, also for an additional fee. Please reach out to the particular park for more information.

Colorado’s State Parks are here for Coloradans and out-of-state visitors to enjoy. Please be respectful of the parks, the wildlife, the lakes, and the land. Follow the rules and clean up after yourself. Colorado’s State Parks are unique places that provide enjoyment for all; let’s keep it that way.

Colorado State Parks Guide Map

Map of All Colorado State Parks

View the online map here.

Activities at Colorado State Parks

All State Parks have all or some combination of the following activities listed below: 

• Camping – visitor center, nature center, camping choices, winter camping, amenities.
• Boating – boat ramp, marina, all kinds of boating, jet & water skiing
• Swimming – designated swim beaches
• Picnic sites
• Hiking & biking trails – many access National Forests
• Bird & wildlife viewing
• Rock climbing
• Horseback trails – horse rentals, stables, corrals
• OHV – off-highway vehicles
• Archery or shooting range
• Fishing – ice fishing, cleaning station
• Hunting
• Geocaching
• Ranger & nature programs
• Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, Ice-skating, snowmobiling

Colorado State Parks Guide – Quick Links

• Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area – River, Southeastern
• Barr Lake State Park – Lake, Front Range
• Boyd Lake – Lake, Front Range
• Cameo Shooting Complex – Shooting, Western Slope
• Castlewood Canyon – Creek, Front Range
• Chatfield – River, Front Range
• Cherry Creek – Lake, Front Range
• Cheyenne Mountain – Land, Front Range
• Crawford – Lake, Western Slope
• Eldorado Canyon – Land, Rock Climbing, Front Range
• Eleven Mile – Lake, Front Range
• Elkhead Reservoir – Lake, Northwest
• Fishers Peak – Land, Southeastern
• Golden Gate Canyon – Land, Front Range
• Harvey Gap – Lake, Northwest
• Highline Lake – Lake, Western Slope
• Jackson Lake – Lake, Front Range
• James M. Robb – Colorado River: Connected Lakes Section – Lakes, Western Slope

1. Island Acres​​​
2. Corn Lake​
3. Colorado River Wildlife Area​ – Fruita Section​

• John Martin Reservoir – Lake, Southeastern
• Lake Pueblo – Lake, Southeastern
• Lathrop Lake – Lake, Southeastern
• Lory State Park – Land, Front Range
• Mancos – Lake – CO trail , Western Slope
• Mueller – Land, Front Range
• Navajo – Lake, Western Slope
• North Sterling – Lake, Front Range
• Paonia – Lake, Western Slope
• Pearl Lake – Lake, Northwest
• Ridgeway – Lake, Western Slope
• Rifle Falls – Waterfalls, Northwest
• Rifle Gap – Lake, Northwest
• Roxborough – Land, Front Range
• St. Vrain – Lake, Front Range
• Spinney Mountain – Lake, Front Range
• Stagecoach – Lake, Northwest
• State Forest State Park – Land, Northwest
• Staunton – Land, Rock Climbing, Front Range
• Steamboat Lake – Lake, Northwest
• Sweitzer Lake – Lake, Southwest
• Sylvan Lake – Lake, Western Slope
• Trinidad Lake – Lake, Southeastern
• Vega – Lake, Western Slope
• Yampa River – River, Northwest