Ridgway State Park
State Park in Ridgway, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center/Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
28555 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO 81432
United States
Ridgway State Park
State Park in Ridgway, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center/Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
28555 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO 81432
United States
Navigate to:
Ridgway reservoir with San Juan Mountain Range in distance and yellow flowers in foreground
Welcome to Ridgway State Park
Ridgway State Park is a splendid natural treasure nestled at the foot of the majestic San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado. This year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts spans nearly five miles through the Uncompahgre River Valley, inviting adventurers of all kinds to explore the picturesque reservoir, the park's three unique areas, 14 miles of diverse trails and convenient facilities. For those seeking to extend their stay, the park offers nearly 300 campsites across three campgrounds (Elk Ridge, Dakota Terraces, and Pa-Co-Chu-Puk), accommodating tents, trailers, and RVs with various amenities, as well as three year-round yurts. Ridgway State Park is dedicated to accessibility, featuring accessible restrooms, showers, campsites, fishing piers, beach access, and trails, ensuring everyone can enjoy its natural beauty. Beyond the park, visitors can explore the charming town of Ridgway, the historic town of Ouray, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, and world-class off-road trails, making this park an ideal base for discovering the best of Southwest Colorado and creating lasting memories.
3,301
acres
282
campsites
87
picnic sites
15.6
miles of trails
Directions
Accessing the Park
Arriving from the North: Take U.S. Highway 550 south from Montrose for 22 miles to any of the three park entrances (Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, Dutch Charlie, and Dallas Creek).
Arriving from the South: Take U.S. Highway 550 north of Ridgway for 4 miles to any of the three park entrances (Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, Dutch Charlie, and Dallas Creek).
Typing Ridgway State Park Visitor Center into most mapping programs will provide directions to the park Visitor Center where more information about the park, facilities, amenities and activities may be found.
At the Ridgway Visitors Center, located in the Dutch Charlie section of the park (east side of the reservoir off US Hwy 550 by the Elk Ridge Campground and the marina), you can explore the rich natural history of the park and Southwest Colorado through stunning vistas, a collection of wildlife displays, and informative exhibits. The on-site bookstore and gift shop provide a variety of options to help remember your stay, including nature books for all ages, t-shirts, maps, souvenirs, firewood, and ice. Refreshments are available, with a selection of drinks and snacks to quench your needs. Don't miss the short walk to the Overlook, which offers stunning views of Ridgway Reservoir and the San Juan Mountain Range—a must-see attraction during your visit.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The visitor Center is closed state holidays and some federal holidays.
For more information please call (970) 626-5822. Press 0 to be connected to the front desk.
Motorized boats must launch and use the four-lane boat ramp in Dutch Charlie. This ramp is suitable for most recreational boat sizes.
For more information on boating at Ridgway State Park visit the Park Highlights page. For more statewide boating information visit the CPW Statewide Boating page.
All motorized vessels and sailboats must go through a mandatory Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection before launching. All motorized vessels and sailboats must have the required vessel registration, ANS Stamp, and required safety gear. Trailered and motorized vessels are prohibited from launching in the Dallas Creek area and must be inspected at the ANS station in Dutch Charlie at the boat ramp. Please remember to CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat, waders and other gear before moving between waters.
For more information on Ridgway’s boat inspection process and hours, see the Mandatory Boat Inspections section on the Park Highlights page. For Statewide Aquatic Nuisance Species information visit CPW’s ANS page.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Colorado residents 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Nature and Wildlife
Ridgway State Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, marmots, badgers, ospreys, and black bears. Winter attracts elk, red fox, coyotes, mountain lions, and bald eagles. Bird watching is a popular activity, and varied habitats offer a chance to observe a variety of bird species. Maintain a safe distance from animals and keep campsites clean.
The park's striking scenery is shaped by its geological history, featuring Mt. Sneffels and surrounded by the San Juan and Cimarron Mountain Ranges. The Uncompahgre Plateau stretches nearly 100 miles North West. Vegetation varies with pinyon-juniper at Dutch Charlie and ponderosa pine at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides are available at the park book store or on Ridgway State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
Educational programs on the area's natural and cultural resources are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day, or upon special request. For more information, see the Upcoming Events below or call the park at 970-626-5822.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Turkey vulture
- Osprey
- Great horned owl
- Western bluebird
- Turkey
- Great blue heron
- Belted kingfisher
- American kestrel
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- Black bear
- Cottontail rabbit
- Coyote
- Elk
- Mule deer
- Red fox
- Yellow-bellied marmot
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Plateau Fence Lizard
- Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
- Plateau Striped Whiptail
- Collared Lizard
Geology at This Park
The Northern San Juan Mountains, a haven for geologists, boast a rich history of mineral mining, yielding gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc over the past 130 years. The region's rock formations, some dating back over 1.5 billion years to Precambrian times, reveal a geological tapestry. Just 30 miles north, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison impresses with its 2,300-foot-deep gorge, cut through hard schist, gneiss and granite formations, reaching nearly twice the height of the Empire State Building at Painted Wall.
Moving to the south, the San Juan Mountains near Ridgway State Park tell a tale of fire and ice. Volcanic eruptions, more than 35 million years ago, deposited a thick layer of igneous rock. As the ice ages unfolded around 5 million years ago, colossal glaciers sculpted the landscape, carving awe-inspiring valleys and peaks, including the majestic Mount Sneffels. Within Ridgway State Park, geological treasures predate the volcanic era, featuring Upper Jurassic sandstones, Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, and deposits of Upper Cretaceous Mancos shale. The park also showcases the Morrison Formation, a world-renowned dinosaur-bone-bearing geological formation, capturing a snapshot of life from 145–155 million years ago.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
Ridgway State Park boasts a rich tapestry of habitats, including expansive pinyon-juniper woodlands, vibrant montane shrublands and critical riparian areas. A central feature of the park is Ridgway Reservoir, which further diversifies the landscape by supporting extensive wetland and riparian vegetation.
Pinyon pine and juniper woodlands ecosystems are characterized by the dominance of pinyon pines and junipers, forming a distinct woodland habitat. Within this environment, you are likely to encounter a variety of shrubs such as sagebrush, snowberry, serviceberry, Gambel oak, bitterbrush, chokecherry, and rabbitbrush, which thrive in the uplands. These plant communities collectively create a unique and resilient ecosystem.
Montane shrublands, like those found in the uplands of Ridgway State Park, are characterized by a variety of hardy shrubs adapted to dry, rocky conditions. You can expect to see plants such as sagebrush, snowberry, serviceberry, Gambel oak, bitterbrush, chokecherry, and rabbitbrush, which collectively form a resilient ecosystem providing food and shelter for wildlife.
Riparian ecosystems within Ridgway State Park are found along the Uncompahgre River and around Ridgway Reservoir, creating a critical habitat for diverse plant and animal life. Common riparian plants include cottonwood, willow, and local grasses and vegetation. Plants are commonly characterized as vegetation that thrives in moist conditions and contributes to the park's overall biodiversity.
Ridgway Reservoir is a significant aquatic ecosystem, spanning 1000 surface-acres and attracting a variety of life forms. The reservoir and its shorelines support diverse wetland and riparian plant communities. This environment is a draw for over 140 species of birds and the reservoir's waters are home to a range of fish species.
Upcoming Events
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
History
The Ute people historically inhabited this region, living a nomadic lifestyle that included hunting and gathering according to the seasons. However, with the arrival of settlers, especially during the Colorado mining boom of the 1880s, the Utes were compelled to cede most of their sacred lands.
Following the settlement of the valley, local farmers and ranchers recognized the necessity of supplementing the river’s flow with a reliable source of irrigation water. In the 1940s, interest arose in storing the spring and summer snowmelt from the upper Uncompahgre River for future irrigation purposes. In 1956, the Colorado River Storage Project, one of the world’s most intricate and extensive river developments, came to fruition. Consequently, the Dallas Creek Project, known as the Ridgway Reservoir, was authorized in 1968. Completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1987, Ridgway Dam marked a significant achievement.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s role extended beyond the dam's completion. Federal funding continued for eight years, completely financing the recreational development within the park. Today, this remarkable project is a collaborative endeavor involving the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the property owner, Tri-County Water Conservancy District, responsible for managing water distribution, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife, which manages the recreation facilities.
Dutch Charlie
The Dutch Charlie site opened to the public in August 1989 and is named after a pioneer who operated a boarding house, blacksmith shop, and livery barn near the present-day swim beach. Bullwhackers and their oxen teams traveling through the area often spent the night, fed their livestock, and had repairs made at Dutch Charlie's operation before traveling over present-day Red Mountain Pass.
Dallas Creek
Inaugurated in May 1992, the Dallas Creek area is renowned for its diverse daytime recreational activities. As a designated day-use area only, it is named after the small tributary stream called Dallas Creek at the park's southern boundary.
Pa-Co-Chu-Puk
Bearing a name that encapsulates the rich and varied history of the region, Pa-Co-Chu-Puk derives its name from the Ute Indian term for "cow standing in water," in reference to Cow Creek that intersects the Uncompahgre River in this section of the park. Situated below Ridgway Dam, this site opened to the public in July 1994.