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Yurt at State Forest State Park

Plan your next Colorado adventure!

Camping reservations can be made year-round and a maximum of six months before your arrival date.

Reserve your campsite today!

Yurt at State Forest State Park

Yurt at State Forest State Park

Yurt at State Forest State Park

Plan your next Colorado adventure!

Camping reservations can be made year-round and a maximum of six months before your arrival date.

Reserve your campsite today!
Hunter getting license checked by CPW officer

Don't forget your license!

Big Game Hunting License Opportunities

Purchase a Colorado Big Game Hunting License

Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Leftover (remaining)  deer, elk, pronghorn, and bear limited licenses are now available.

View the Leftover (Reissue) License List Learn about available license options
two beer glasses and a cluster of zebra mussels

You Can Help

Be a Pain in the ANS!

Colorado's beer industry could be impacted by Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).

Learn how you can help.

State Wildlife Action Plan

The State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) is an expansive resource on the status of some wildlife populations in Colorado, with an emphasis on individual species and their habitats. The insights found in the SWAP will help CPW forge new partnerships, strengthen old ones and inform policy, keeping Colorado a hotbed of biodiversity.

Learn more about the plan

Video: Teaching others to fish - Eeland Stribling

Find Your Volunteer

Meet Eeland Stribling

Eeland genuinely cares about our planet, the environment, and wildlife. He believes that helping people appreciate the value of these elements can rally more individuals to protect them as a community. Learn why Eeland chooses to be a CPW Angler Outreach Volunteer. 

Help pass on YOUR passion for fishing! The feeling of seeing and helping someone catch their very first fish is something you will never forget!

Find YOUR Volunteer

Video: Waterfowl hunters like me? We’re a pain in the ANS.

Waterfowl hunters like me? We’re a pain in the ANS.

Wherever you like to waterfowl hunt, remembering to clean, drain and dry your gear will protect the waters that support the habitat Colorado’s game species rely on. 

Learn how to clean your gear
CPW staff monitor native plants

Colorado Outdoors Podcast

Podcast Episode 2.15: Colorado’s Rare Plants Program

In this episode, we are going to chat with CPW Natural Areas Program Manager Raquel Wertsbaugh about her program’s longstanding work with rare and native plants, while we also talk with Savanna Smith, CPW’s new Rare Plants Program Manager, to learn more about CPW’s work in this field. 

Listen to the latest episode. Subscribe Today
Angler report cover

Colorado Angler Survey Summary Report

Fishing Report

Colorado Angler Survey Summary Report

This study assessed anglers’ fishing behaviors and experiences in Colorado, evaluated their attitudes
towards fish management, and examined fishing pressure throughout the state. This survey was also
intended to identify any changes over time in the preferences of those fishing in Colorado’s waters. The results
of this study will ultimately be used to inform future fish hatchery and fish management plans for the state of
Colorado.

View the Angler Report Report Summary
search and rescue training effort

Your Voice Matters

Backcountry Search and Rescue Surcharge

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is proposing increasing the Backcountry Search and Rescue (BSAR) surcharge on most licenses and registrations.

The surcharge increase proposal was heard by the Parks and Wildlife Commission (PWC) at the August 21-22 PWC Meeting. The PWC is scheduled to consider the proposal for final adoption at the November 13-14 PWC meeting.

Learn what the BSAR surcharge supports. View Commission discussion
Rancher with cattle

Featured Resource

Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide

The Wolf-Livestock Conflict Minimization Program Guide provides information on a variety of tools and methods available for livestock producers to employ in efforts to reduce the likelihood of wolf-livestock conflicts and establishes a framework for CPW’s response, along with available support from other state, federal and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Download the Guide

Video: Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, one of the first of its kind in the United States, is the state's conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience strategy. It advances coordination, tools, and funding to align, prioritize, and implement strategic actions on the landscape for conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience.   

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy News Release
Kayaking at Ridgway State Park

Find the Perfect Park and Get Outside

Wherever you go in Colorado, there’s a state park waiting to welcome you. Colorado’s state parks are as diverse as the state itself, and they offer something for everyone. From Eastern Plains parks at 3,800 feet to high-mountain parks at 9,500, the network of state parks offers a wealth of activities for busy people of all ages, or the chance to do nothing at all.

Park Finder

Ridgway State Park

Kayaking at Ridgway State Park

Ridgway State Park

Find the Perfect Park and Get Outside

Wherever you go in Colorado, there’s a state park waiting to welcome you. Colorado’s state parks are as diverse as the state itself, and they offer something for everyone. From Eastern Plains parks at 3,800 feet to high-mountain parks at 9,500, the network of state parks offers a wealth of activities for busy people of all ages, or the chance to do nothing at all.

Park Finder

Plan your next adventure

Camping and Lodging

Colorado's state parks manage more than 4,000 campsites throughout the state. Weekdays offer your pick of prime campsites, cabins, or yurts and allow you to explore and discover Colorado’s diverse landscapes and attractions.

Get started!
Tent Camping
Cabin
Yurt
Camper
Colorado Outdoor Magazine Annual Hunting Guide - cover image

Special Edition

Colorado Outdoors Magazine's Annual Hunting Guide

The Colorado Outdoors Hunting Guide is a special annual edition of Colorado Outdoors magazine. View the contents.

Purchase your copy! Subscribe for $13/year

Something for Everyone

You can play on land or on water. On a high peak or on the prairie. In the country or the city. In spring, summer, winter or fall.​

Plan your next adventure!

Upcoming Events

Hiking at Mancos State Park

Oct

24

Friday Hikes with GARNA

Friday, Oct 24

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

GARNA’s Hiking Club gathers in the beautiful nature of the Arkansas River Valley. Hikes are scheduled for every Friday, June...

View Details
Hiking at Mancos State Park

Oct

24

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Friday Hikes with GARNA

Friday, Oct 24

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

GARNA’s Hiking Club gathers in the beautiful nature of the Arkansas River Valley. Hikes are scheduled for every Friday, June...

View & Register
Stars and northern lights shine above a lake at dark.

Oct

24

Astronomy Night with Western Colorado Astronomy Club

Friday, Oct 24

Highline Lake State Park

Go dark, look up!

View Details
Stars and northern lights shine above a lake at dark.

Oct

24

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Astronomy Night with Western Colorado Astronomy Club

Friday, Oct 24

Highline Lake State Park

Go dark, look up!

View & Register
Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

Oct

25

Witch & Wizard Paddle

Saturday, Oct 25

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

View Details
Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

Oct

25

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Witch & Wizard Paddle

Saturday, Oct 25

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

View & Register
Hiking at Mancos State Park

Oct

24

Friday Hikes with GARNA

Friday, Oct 24

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

GARNA’s Hiking Club gathers in the beautiful nature of the Arkansas River Valley. Hikes are scheduled for every Friday, June...

View Details
Hiking at Mancos State Park

Oct

24

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Friday Hikes with GARNA

Friday, Oct 24

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

GARNA’s Hiking Club gathers in the beautiful nature of the Arkansas River Valley. Hikes are scheduled for every Friday, June...

View & Register
Stars and northern lights shine above a lake at dark.

Oct

24

Astronomy Night with Western Colorado Astronomy Club

Friday, Oct 24

Highline Lake State Park

Go dark, look up!

View Details
Stars and northern lights shine above a lake at dark.

Oct

24

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Astronomy Night with Western Colorado Astronomy Club

Friday, Oct 24

Highline Lake State Park

Go dark, look up!

View & Register
Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

Oct

25

Witch & Wizard Paddle

Saturday, Oct 25

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

View Details
Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

Oct

25

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Witch & Wizard Paddle

Saturday, Oct 25

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

View & Register
Find more events

Keep Colorado Wild Pass — Opens more than state park gates

Explore every corner of Colorado’s state parks while giving back to search and rescue volunteers when you get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your vehicle registration. The pass also helps fund state parks and recreation, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, wildlife conservation and outdoor education opportunities.

Learn more

English

Al obtener un Pase Keep Colorado Wild de $29 con el registro de tu vehículo, tendrás acceso a todos los parques estatales de Colorado durante todo el año. Además, tu compra contribuye a apoyar a los voluntarios de búsqueda y rescate, programas de educación al aire libre, el Centro de Información sobre Avalanchas de Colorado, la conservación de la vida silvestre y mucho más.