Nature Viewing
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State Parks
There are many ways to enjoy nature at Colorado state parks, from watching birds and wildlife to enjoying wildflowers growing along the trails. You can also check out nature displays in many of the park visitor centers and join guided tours. Use our park finder to plan your trip!
State Fish Hatcheries
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has 19 hatcheries stocking 90+ million fish yearly. All are open year-round. Some have self-guided tours or guided tours during specific times. Call to check your chosen hatchery's offerings.
State Wildlife Areas
State Wildlife Areas are land owned by the state or privately that is open to the public for outdoor recreation. Many areas offer bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. Use our finder to plan your visit.
Colorado Natural Areas
The Colorado Natural Areas Program chose 96 State Natural Areas to protect as important natural places. Fifteen natural areas are open to the public. Some might have fees or need permission from the landowner for visits.
Experience Fall in Colorado
Many state parks are located along some of the most scenic drives in Colorado, providing the perfect landscape for a weekend getaway to enjoy Colorado’s fall splendor. Stay overnight and bask in the beautiful fall foliage. Take a few days to relax and reset among the reds and golds, and breathe in some much-needed fresh air. There's still plenty of good weather, so reserve your cabin, yurt, or campsite now.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Colorado River State Park
Crawford State Park
Eldorado Canyon State Park
Eleven Mile State Park
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Harvey Gap
Highline Lake State Park
Lathrop State Park
Mancos State Park
Mueller State Park
Navajo State Park
Paonia State Park
Pearl Lake State Park
Ridgway State Park
Rifle Falls
Rifle Gap
State Forest
Steamboat Lake
Sylvan Lake
Trinidad Lake State Park
Vega State Park
Explore Scenic Colorado
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Following trails that wind along Cherry Creek, visitors will find remnants of the Castlewood Dam, which burst on August 3, 1933.
Chatfield State Park
People have lived near Chatfield State Park for at least 8,000 years. The area where Chatfield is located, called the Plum Creek-South Platte River confluence, goes back over 11 million years to the Late Miocene Era. Fossils of ice-age animals have been found in the South Platte area. Lamb Spring, near Chatfield, holds well-preserved evidence of early human life, making it one of North America's oldest sites for human use.
John Martin Reservoir
Remnants of the Santa Fe Trail can be found near the park’s north shore.
Roxborough State Park
Over 200 artifacts have been found in Roxborough State Park, and several artifacts are on display in the park’s Visitor Center.
Staunton State Park
Staunton State Park is made up of properties that once belonged to early Colorado settlers. Remnants of some of these properties can still be found in the park.
Trinidad Lake State Park
Miles of trails winding through ancient and interesting local history, and spectacular scenery provide visitors and nature enthusiasts with great outdoor exploration opportunities.
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Following trails that wind along Cherry Creek, visitors will find remnants of the Castlewood Dam, which burst on August 3, 1933.
Chatfield State Park
People have lived near Chatfield State Park for at least 8,000 years. The area where Chatfield is located, called the Plum Creek-South Platte River confluence, goes back over 11 million years to the Late Miocene Era. Fossils of ice-age animals have been found in the South Platte area. Lamb Spring, near Chatfield, holds well-preserved evidence of early human life, making it one of North America's oldest sites for human use.
John Martin Reservoir
Remnants of the Santa Fe Trail can be found near the park’s north shore.
Roxborough State Park
Over 200 artifacts have been found in Roxborough State Park, and several artifacts are on display in the park’s Visitor Center.
Staunton State Park
Staunton State Park is made up of properties that once belonged to early Colorado settlers. Remnants of some of these properties can still be found in the park.
Trinidad Lake State Park
Miles of trails winding through ancient and interesting local history, and spectacular scenery provide visitors and nature enthusiasts with great outdoor exploration opportunities.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
The AHRA spans diverse topography, from the alpine highlands near Leadville to the open prairies near Pueblo. It includes portions of Browns Canyon National Monument, which encompasses a rugged and beautiful landscape.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Enjoy the mix of prairies and mountain woodlands and ponderosa forests along with views of Cheyenne Mountain and Pikes Peak.
Crawford State Park
Not far from the striking Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Crawford State Park is the perfect base camp for scenic mountain recreation.
Eleven Mile State Park
Enjoy the wildlife, wildflowers and unique geology in this mountain park and reservoir, surrounded by plains within a vibrant montane ecosystem.
Fishers Peak State Park
The 19,200-acre property connects grasslands to the east with foothills and mountains to the west, serving as an important corridor for wildlife movement.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Ranging in elevation from 7,600 to 10,400 feet, Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers visitors a variety of alpine experiences, including mountain biking and rock climbing.
Harvey Gap State Park
At an elevation of 6,500 feet, the mountain reservoir at Harvey Gap is a scenic getaway for boating, fishing and swimming.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park
On the edge of the Western Slope, the park, which comprises five sections, offers visitors five unique river and lake-based outdoor recreation opportunities.
Lake Pueblo State Park
The large lake and sunny days draw crowds. Visitors enjoy views of the Greenhorn and Wet mountain ranges to the southwest and the magnificent Pikes Peak to the north.
Lathrop State Park
Nestled in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks in Southern Colorado, the lakes at Lathrop are a haven for water enthusiasts.
Lory State Park
Nestled in the foothills just outside of Fort Collins, Lory is a popular destination for mountain biking and trail running.
Mancos State Park
On the edge of the Western Slope and not far from Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos is a great basecamp for a variety of outdoor adventures.
Mueller State Park
With views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains, Mueller offers a scenic mountain backdrop for activities like horseback riding and mountain biking.
Navajo State Park
Near the Colorado-New Mexico border, the huge reservoir at Navajo offers mountain views and memorable days on the water.
Paonia State Park
Steep mountainsides, pristine water, alpine scenery and peaceful environment make Paonia a haven for water and nature lovers.
Pearl Lake State Park
Perched in the mountainous terrain north of Steamboat Springs, this tranquil park offers lakeside camping with stunning views of Farwell Mountain.
Ridgway State Park
This scenic alpine lake park near Ouray, Colorado, offers visitors breathtaking mountain views and outdoor adventures.
Rifle Gap State Park
This mountain park and its reservoir offer a scenic getaway for visitors interested in camping, boating and more.
Spinney Mountain State Park
Nestled in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, Spinney Mountain offers great fishing and outdoor adventures.
St. Vrain State Park
St. Vrain State Park
Stagecoach State Park
Located in the Yampa Valley near Steamboat Springs, Stagecoach and its reservoir are popular spots for fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping.
State Forest State Park
The park stretches along the west side of the Medicine Bow Mountains and into the north end of the Never Summer Range, offering visitors 71,000 acres of forest, jagged peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife and miles of trails.
Staunton State Park
Staunton State Park spans diverse landscapes from 8,100-foot meadows to 10,000-foot granite cliffs, fostering unique plant communities, wildlife and outdoor activities in a rich mountain environment.
Steamboat Lake State Park
Hahn’s Peak is the backdrop for fishing, camping, picnicking and more at Steamboat.
Sylvan Lake State Park
Stunning mountain scenery, abundant recreation, wildlife watching and top-notch fishing and hiking provide year-round fun at Sylvan Lake.
Trinidad Lake State Park
In addition to a lake for water recreation, Trinidad Lake offers miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Vega State Park
At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Vega State Park’s high-mountain lake sits in a beautiful montane meadow on the northeast edge of Grand Mesa National Forest in Western Colorado.
Yampa River State Park
Located in the Yampa Valley west of Steamboat Springs, Yampa River State Park offers top-notch fishing, camping and swimming,
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
The AHRA spans diverse topography, from the alpine highlands near Leadville to the open prairies near Pueblo. It includes portions of Browns Canyon National Monument, which encompasses a rugged and beautiful landscape.
Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Enjoy the mix of prairies and mountain woodlands and ponderosa forests along with views of Cheyenne Mountain and Pikes Peak.
Crawford State Park
Not far from the striking Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Crawford State Park is the perfect base camp for scenic mountain recreation.
Eleven Mile State Park
Enjoy the wildlife, wildflowers and unique geology in this mountain park and reservoir, surrounded by plains within a vibrant montane ecosystem.
Fishers Peak State Park
The 19,200-acre property connects grasslands to the east with foothills and mountains to the west, serving as an important corridor for wildlife movement.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Ranging in elevation from 7,600 to 10,400 feet, Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers visitors a variety of alpine experiences, including mountain biking and rock climbing.
Harvey Gap State Park
At an elevation of 6,500 feet, the mountain reservoir at Harvey Gap is a scenic getaway for boating, fishing and swimming.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park
On the edge of the Western Slope, the park, which comprises five sections, offers visitors five unique river and lake-based outdoor recreation opportunities.
Lake Pueblo State Park
The large lake and sunny days draw crowds. Visitors enjoy views of the Greenhorn and Wet mountain ranges to the southwest and the magnificent Pikes Peak to the north.
Lathrop State Park
Nestled in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks in Southern Colorado, the lakes at Lathrop are a haven for water enthusiasts.
Lory State Park
Nestled in the foothills just outside of Fort Collins, Lory is a popular destination for mountain biking and trail running.
Mancos State Park
On the edge of the Western Slope and not far from Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos is a great basecamp for a variety of outdoor adventures.
Mueller State Park
With views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding mountains, Mueller offers a scenic mountain backdrop for activities like horseback riding and mountain biking.
Navajo State Park
Near the Colorado-New Mexico border, the huge reservoir at Navajo offers mountain views and memorable days on the water.
Paonia State Park
Steep mountainsides, pristine water, alpine scenery and peaceful environment make Paonia a haven for water and nature lovers.
Pearl Lake State Park
Perched in the mountainous terrain north of Steamboat Springs, this tranquil park offers lakeside camping with stunning views of Farwell Mountain.
Ridgway State Park
This scenic alpine lake park near Ouray, Colorado, offers visitors breathtaking mountain views and outdoor adventures.
Rifle Gap State Park
This mountain park and its reservoir offer a scenic getaway for visitors interested in camping, boating and more.
Spinney Mountain State Park
Nestled in the mountains west of Colorado Springs, Spinney Mountain offers great fishing and outdoor adventures.
St. Vrain State Park
St. Vrain State Park
Stagecoach State Park
Located in the Yampa Valley near Steamboat Springs, Stagecoach and its reservoir are popular spots for fishing, hiking, picnicking and camping.
State Forest State Park
The park stretches along the west side of the Medicine Bow Mountains and into the north end of the Never Summer Range, offering visitors 71,000 acres of forest, jagged peaks, alpine lakes, wildlife and miles of trails.
Staunton State Park
Staunton State Park spans diverse landscapes from 8,100-foot meadows to 10,000-foot granite cliffs, fostering unique plant communities, wildlife and outdoor activities in a rich mountain environment.
Steamboat Lake State Park
Hahn’s Peak is the backdrop for fishing, camping, picnicking and more at Steamboat.
Sylvan Lake State Park
Stunning mountain scenery, abundant recreation, wildlife watching and top-notch fishing and hiking provide year-round fun at Sylvan Lake.
Trinidad Lake State Park
In addition to a lake for water recreation, Trinidad Lake offers miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Vega State Park
At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Vega State Park’s high-mountain lake sits in a beautiful montane meadow on the northeast edge of Grand Mesa National Forest in Western Colorado.
Yampa River State Park
Located in the Yampa Valley west of Steamboat Springs, Yampa River State Park offers top-notch fishing, camping and swimming,
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area includes portions of Browns Canyon National Monument, with its rugged, beautiful landscape. The Arkansas River winds through valleys, canyons and through the Royal Gorge.
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon is a popular destination for rock climbers, with walls up to 60 feet and canyon face climbing available for all skill levels.
Crawford State Park
With the majestic Black Canyon of the Gunnison so close by, it's easy to imagine the fantastic mountain scenery found here.
Eldorado Canyon State Park
Visitors are drawn to Eldorado Canyon for the towering, golden sandstone cliffs and the over five hundred technical rock climbing routes.
Eleven Mile State Park
The reservoir’s shoreline can be rugged in places, giving great views from both the water and shore.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
The park encompasses 12,000 acres along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, including portions of Promontory Ridge. Rock climbing opportunities can be found throughout the park.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park
The spectacular Navajo and Mesa Verde sandstone formations of Colorado National Monument are easily visible from all parts of the Fruita section of the park.