paddleboarding Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Plan your next Colorado adventure!

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

paddleboarding Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

paddleboarding Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

paddleboarding Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Plan your next Colorado adventure!

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

Video: 2025 Big Game Secondary Draw

Plan Your Hunt

Secondary Limited License Draw

Colorado big-game hunters, this year, the application period opens on June 19th, 2025, and closes on June 30th at 8 p.m. Mountain Time. Get your application in early in case you need to make changes, and avoid any last-minute stress. 

Preparing for this year’s big game secondary draw? Here’s some pointers from our customer service center. 

Gray Wolf Update web graphic

News Release

Gray Wolf Update

Colorado Parks and Wildlife lethally removes gray wolf to address chronic depredation in Pitkin County 

On the evening of Thursday, May 29, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) lethally removed gray wolf 2405 after determining livestock producers had experienced chronic wolf depredation despite implementing all reasonable non-lethal deterrence measures and removing any attractants capable of luring wolves.

Staunton Track-Chair

Staunton Track-Chair

Live Live Outside

CPW Track-Chair Program

CPW’s Track-Chair Program provides opportunities for people with disabilities to live life outside and to share outdoor experiences with friends and family.

Video: Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy

Breaking News

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.   

Cow moose with calf

From the Newsroom

Moose attack near Woodland Park; reminder to watch out for wildlife

An incident with a man, two dogs and a defensive cow moose with two calves has prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to remind people to keep their distance from wildlife, especially mothers with young. The incident occurred on private property near South Meadows Campground, north of Woodland Park.

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).

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.

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.

Colorado Outdoor Magazine Annual State Park Issue - cover image

Special Edition

Colorado Outdoors Magazine's Annual State Park Issue

The 2025 Colorado state parks issue is full of ideas for recreating in our beautiful state. Read about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass, the Dark Sky Movement, Colorado's moths and butterflies, and much more. View the contents.

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.​

Upcoming Events

Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Jun

22

Bird Walk with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Sunday, Jun 22

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet a birding expert from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at the Pelican Point Parking Lot and walk the Smoky Hill Trail to see what birds are out.
Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Jun

22

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Bird Walk with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Sunday, Jun 22

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet a birding expert from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at the Pelican Point Parking Lot and walk the Smoky Hill Trail to see what birds are out.

Jun

22

Archery 101 - Intro to Archery

Sunday, Jun 22

Barr Lake State Park

Family friendly intro to archery. Join us at the archery range at Barr Lake State Park.

Jun

22

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Archery 101 - Intro to Archery

Sunday, Jun 22

Barr Lake State Park

Family friendly intro to archery. Join us at the archery range at Barr Lake State Park.
Teachers at Upper Arkansas OUT class, 2018, photographer Tracy Predmore

Jun

24

Upper Arkansas OUT, formerly known as TEN: Watershed Wonders – The Blue Lines that Tie Us Together!

Tuesday, Jun 24 - Friday, Jun 27

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Join Upper Arkansas O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers), formerly known as T.E.N., for 3 ½ days exploring the Upper Arkansas watershed. The class will focus on the importance of watersheds to nature and the people in Colorado. Topics will include water & natural resources management, aquatic wildlife such as beavers and fish, soil connections, and permaculture. We will also connect nature and water to art and mindfulness. Participants will visit local sites in the Upper Arkansas Valley and be exposed to a variety of hands-on activities that apply to science, social studies, math, history, art, and language arts. The goal of O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers) is to help teachers promote student understanding and appreciation of science and the natural environment through local, field-oriented education opportunities in the schools and in-school curriculum.  This event is taking place at various locations including Twin Lakes, Trout Creek Pass,  Hutchinson Ranch, and Coaldale.
Teachers at Upper Arkansas OUT class, 2018, photographer Tracy Predmore

Jun

24

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Upper Arkansas OUT, formerly known as TEN: Watershed Wonders – The Blue Lines that Tie Us Together!

Tuesday, Jun 24 - Friday, Jun 27

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Join Upper Arkansas O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers), formerly known as T.E.N., for 3 ½ days exploring the Upper Arkansas watershed. The class will focus on the importance of watersheds to nature and the people in Colorado. Topics will include water & natural resources management, aquatic wildlife such as beavers and fish, soil connections, and permaculture. We will also connect nature and water to art and mindfulness. Participants will visit local sites in the Upper Arkansas Valley and be exposed to a variety of hands-on activities that apply to science, social studies, math, history, art, and language arts. The goal of O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers) is to help teachers promote student understanding and appreciation of science and the natural environment through local, field-oriented education opportunities in the schools and in-school curriculum.  This event is taking place at various locations including Twin Lakes, Trout Creek Pass,  Hutchinson Ranch, and Coaldale.
Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Jun

22

Bird Walk with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Sunday, Jun 22

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet a birding expert from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at the Pelican Point Parking Lot and walk the Smoky Hill Trail to see what birds are out.
Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Jun

22

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Bird Walk with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies

Sunday, Jun 22

Cherry Creek State Park

Meet a birding expert from the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies at the Pelican Point Parking Lot and walk the Smoky Hill Trail to see what birds are out.

Jun

22

Archery 101 - Intro to Archery

Sunday, Jun 22

Barr Lake State Park

Family friendly intro to archery. Join us at the archery range at Barr Lake State Park.

Jun

22

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Archery 101 - Intro to Archery

Sunday, Jun 22

Barr Lake State Park

Family friendly intro to archery. Join us at the archery range at Barr Lake State Park.
Teachers at Upper Arkansas OUT class, 2018, photographer Tracy Predmore

Jun

24

Upper Arkansas OUT, formerly known as TEN: Watershed Wonders – The Blue Lines that Tie Us Together!

Tuesday, Jun 24 - Friday, Jun 27

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Join Upper Arkansas O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers), formerly known as T.E.N., for 3 ½ days exploring the Upper Arkansas watershed. The class will focus on the importance of watersheds to nature and the people in Colorado. Topics will include water & natural resources management, aquatic wildlife such as beavers and fish, soil connections, and permaculture. We will also connect nature and water to art and mindfulness. Participants will visit local sites in the Upper Arkansas Valley and be exposed to a variety of hands-on activities that apply to science, social studies, math, history, art, and language arts. The goal of O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers) is to help teachers promote student understanding and appreciation of science and the natural environment through local, field-oriented education opportunities in the schools and in-school curriculum.  This event is taking place at various locations including Twin Lakes, Trout Creek Pass,  Hutchinson Ranch, and Coaldale.
Teachers at Upper Arkansas OUT class, 2018, photographer Tracy Predmore

Jun

24

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Upper Arkansas OUT, formerly known as TEN: Watershed Wonders – The Blue Lines that Tie Us Together!

Tuesday, Jun 24 - Friday, Jun 27

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Join Upper Arkansas O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers), formerly known as T.E.N., for 3 ½ days exploring the Upper Arkansas watershed. The class will focus on the importance of watersheds to nature and the people in Colorado. Topics will include water & natural resources management, aquatic wildlife such as beavers and fish, soil connections, and permaculture. We will also connect nature and water to art and mindfulness. Participants will visit local sites in the Upper Arkansas Valley and be exposed to a variety of hands-on activities that apply to science, social studies, math, history, art, and language arts. The goal of O.U.T. (Outdoor Understanding for Teachers) is to help teachers promote student understanding and appreciation of science and the natural environment through local, field-oriented education opportunities in the schools and in-school curriculum.  This event is taking place at various locations including Twin Lakes, Trout Creek Pass,  Hutchinson Ranch, and Coaldale.
Family climbing up large rock

Keep Colorado Wild Pass — Explore S’more

Get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration to create sweet summer memories. The pass gives you entry to all state parks and supports wildlife conservation. 

State Parks & Recreation—Your pass helps manage Colorado’s 42 state parks, including keeping them clean and building new trails and facilities.

Backcountry Safety—Your pass supports the volunteer and equipment needs of search and rescue professionals across Colorado and avalanche safety programs through the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. 

Wildlife Conservation—Additional money raised not used for state parks and outdoor safety will be used to support the State Wildlife Action Plan, which helps fund wildlife and habitat conservation work for the 960 species that CPW manages.

Local Communities—Your pass supports our natural resources and helps grow outdoor accessibility and educational programs in local communities.