Colorado’s state park landscapes offer some of its most rewarding scenery. While national parks often get the limelight, many are overlooked. These smaller gems are often overlooked, but they offer quiet trails and glassy lakes as well as towering falls and a slower adventure.
When? state parks Colorado State Parks have over 4,000 campgrounds, 58 cabins, and yurts. They are perfect for day trips but also for a long weekend or extended adventure.
State park access is now easier than ever. Colorado residents now have the option to add a State Parks Pass to their vehicle registration for only $29 and gain unlimited access to all 42 state park. If you are coming from out-of-state, the cost is $29 $80 for an annual pass Access to all Colorado State Parks
As a native Coloradan, I’ve spent a lifetime exploring this state and its state parks—especially in the southwest corner of the state. I also talked to a Boulder local, who lives on the opposite side of Colorado, about the parks that they love the most. Here are 10 Colorado’s best state parks.
Lathrop State Park, Walsenburg
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Lathrop State Park It was the first official Colorado state parks. The fact that the park was preserved and set aside in 1962 speaks volumes about the area. It is located under the Spanish Peaks and features two lakes, popular for boating and fisherman. Lathrop State Park offers great camping, and is located just over an hour to the east of Great Sand Dunes National Park. This makes it a convenient adventure basecamp.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Golden
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Golden, located just west of Denver at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is a popular destination. Golden Gate Canyon State Park, which is known for its stellar views—including some over Colorado’s Continental Divide. It has 35 miles worth of trails leading to high mountain meadows and forests. The park is also known for its occasional sightings of moose.
Colleen H. Huther, General Manager of Hotel Boulderado Boulder is shared by Travel + Leisure Golden Gate Canyon is a place of golden aspen groves and open meadows with panoramic views that extend for miles. This park is ideal for those who live in Boulder and Denver as it’s only about 45 minutes away.
Mancos State Park, Mancos
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Colorado State Parks are not all centered on boating, camping, and fishing. At Mancos State ParkVisitors can delve deeper into the cultural history of the area. Ancestral Puebloans lived on the park land in ancient times. This park is a great place to experience the long history of the area. It’s also known for its beautiful views. San Juan Mountains.
Many people use the park as their basecamp when exploring the surrounding archaeological sites, such as the nearby Mesa Verde National ParkIt’s a favorite of mine.
Sylvan Lake State Park, Eagle
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Fishing is a big deal in Sylvan Lake State Park Sylvan Lake is stocked with trout, but it’s not the only attraction. The wooded terrain that surrounds this lake is equally appealing. It is not surprising that Ute, a Native tribe, settled in Eagle Valley. They migrated with the seasons to find food. Sylvan Lake State Park does not have cell or internet service.
Yampa River State Park, Hayden
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The Yampa River winds its way through the centre of Yampa River State ParkJust west of Steamboat Springs. The Yampa River, one of the few free-flowing rivers left in the west, runs 250 miles through canyons, ranchland and high desert. The park is divided into thirteen distinct sections that cover 134 miles. Each section offers its own appeal—from calm waters ideal for fishing to rapids that draw rafters and kayakers from around the region.
Ridgway State Park, Ridgway
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First thing you will notice is the first thing. Ridgway State Park The sprawling reservoir winds along the base a mesa and is a popular spot for boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. There are 282 campsites with full RV hookups and tent sites as well as year-round yurts.
This is a state park I visited as a kid. A family day at the beach or an early morning paddleboard down the glassy shoreline are great options. It’s hard to beat the view of the San Juan Mountains while swimming.
State Forest State Park, Walden
Visit Colorado
State Forest State Park It is situated in the far north of the state near the Colorado-Wyoming Border. It is large, remote and rugged. Visitors can explore the park’s over 70,000 acres, hike 136 miles, see high alpine lake, and climb jagged mountains. State Forest State Park is also popular with backpackers and campers looking to get away from it all, and has a selection of cabins and yurts for travelers looking for comfort—with real beds, heat, and lights.
Eldorado Canyon State Park, Eldorado Springs
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Just 20 minutes south of Boulder, located among the area’s iconic red sandstone, is Eldorado Canyon State Park. Huther stated, “One of Boulder’s best features is its proximity to some of Colorado’s most stunning state parks.” Eldorado Canyon is a short drive to the south, with its sandstone cliffs. It’s also a popular spot for hikers and climbers.
Eldorado Canyon, because of its geographic location, is usually busier than the majority of other state parks listed here. In order to avoid crowds, Eldorado Canyon has implemented a timed reservation system for weekends and holidays in May through October.
Rifle Falls State Park is located in Rifle
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Rifle Falls State Park It is a tiny park, only 48 acres in size, but is one of the most beautiful and surprising treasures in the state. While limestone cliffs and towering plateaus make up the greater Rifle landscape, the park is surprisingly lush—almost tropical. The gem is a triple waterfall of 70 feet that flows over the travertine dam. There are also limestone caves under the falls.
The park has 20 camping spots, some of which have electric hookups.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Colorado Springs
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Just 15 minutes south of Colorado Springs, you will find yourself in the town of Colorado Springs. Cheyenne Mountain State Park. It may be one of Colorado’s newest state parks—it was acquired in June 2000—but it is well worth a visit, especially for birders. Cheyenne Mountain State Park has 100 different species of birds. It also hosts deer, black-bears, coyotes and foxes.
The park was built on the site where a former ranch once stood. It lies under the eastern slope of Cheyenne Mountain. A mountain with three peaks, it is best known for the U.S. military base that sits deep within.
