Celebrate Colorado Day -
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all Colorado state parks on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. Learn more.
John Martin Reservoir State Park
State Park in Hasty, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
30703 Co. Rd. 24
Hasty, CO 81044
United States
John Martin Reservoir State Park
State Park in Hasty, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
30703 Co. Rd. 24
Hasty, CO 81044
United States
Navigate to:
West Boat Ramp Closed -
The West ramp is closed to trailered vessels due to low water. Hand-launched canoes and kayaks can continue launching. Guests with smaller crafts can launch their boats from the East Boat Ramp instead, but those with large boats should not attempt it. More information: see Closures.
John Martin Reservoir and cottonwood trees, with the dam in the background
Welcome to John Martin Reservoir State Park
Sometimes called a sapphire on the plains, John Martin is a peaceful paradise for recreation and wildlife. It's not too far from historic sites, but it's remote enough for nature and recreation lovers to enjoy all year-round. In the Lower Arkansas River Valley, John Martin offers modern campgrounds, excellent fishing, a variety of wildlife and even historical signs of the past. The reservoir provides uncrowded boating, waterskiing and spectacular conditions for wind water sports.
12,286
acres
213
campsites
20
picnic sites
4.5
miles of trails
Accessing the Park
Directions
From Highway 50 West
Take US Highway 50 west from Lamar approximately 20 miles to Hasty. Turn south on CR 24 (School Street) and proceed approximately 2 miles. The Visitor Center is on the right just past the curve.
The John Martin Reservoir Visitor Center is located north of the reservoir on State Park Road.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
East Boat Ramp
The east boat ramp is located closest to the dam on the northeast side of the reservoir. It is a low water ramp with a low grade slope.
West Boat Ramp
The West boat ramp is located on the northeast side of the reservoir approximately 500 yards west of the east ramp. It is a high water ramp with a high grade slope.
For more information on John Martin Reservoir‘s boat ramps and mandatory boat inspections, see the Park Highlights page. For more statewide boating information visit the CPW Statewide Boating page.
Closures
West Boat Ramp Closed - Due to low water, the ramp is closed to use by trailers. Hand-launched canoes and kayaks can continue launching. Guests with smaller crafts can launch their boats from the East Boat Ramp instead, but those with large boats should not attempt it.
For more information, see the news release and Park Highlights page > Facilities > Boat Ramps.
For more information on drought closures, see the Summertime Drought Management section on the Fishing page.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants with Colorado license plate |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants with out-of-state license plate |
1 Day |
$15-$17 |
|
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 |
Colorado resident 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
John Martin Reservoir State Park sits on a high desert prairie and supports a diverse community of wildlife. The area abounds with high rocky bluffs and short grass. Commonly seen animals include deer, coyotes, rabbits, raccoons, squirrels and prairie dogs. Resident and migratory birds can often be seen at John Martin, making the park a bird-watcher's paradise.
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
- Bald eagles
- Golden eagles
- Least tern (endangered)
- Mallard duck
- Piping plover (threatened)
- Scaled quail
- Turkey vultures
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
- Mule deer
- Bobcat
- Coyote
- Black-tailed prairie dog
- Black-tailed jackrabbit
- Desert cottontail
- Common raccoon
- Fox squirrel
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
- Six-lined racerunner
- Striped bark scorpion
- Texas brown tarantula
- Typical jumping spider
- Woodhouse's toad
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into John Martin Reservoir State Park's iNaturalist app, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
John Martin Reservoir State Park is located in Southeast Colorado and sits on a high desert prairie. The area abounds with high rocky bluffs and short grass prairie. Although at first glance the area looks dry and barren, the flora and fauna of the area are extensive.
The most recognized plant in the park is the prickly pear cactus blooms, yucca or soap-weed plant, which has many medicinal uses dating back to the Native American tribes that once roamed the area. Also spotted are sagebrush, buffalo grass and many tree species.
Upcoming Events
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Sep
10
Hiring Q&A — Parks and Wildlife Officers
Sep 10, 2026 · 6:00pm - Sep 10, 2026 · 7:00pm
We're hiring! Join us on Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. for a Q&A about the hiring process to become a Parks or...
Sep
10
Hiring Q&A — Parks and Wildlife Officers
Sep 10, 2026 · 6:00pm - Sep 10, 2026 · 7:00pm
We're hiring! Join us on Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. for a Q&A about the hiring process to become a Parks or...
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Aug
3
Celebrate Colorado Day by Visiting State Parks for Free
Aug 3, 2026 · 5:00am - Aug 3, 2026 · 10:00pm
To celebrate Colorado Day and the state's 150th birthday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all...
Sep
10
Hiring Q&A — Parks and Wildlife Officers
Sep 10, 2026 · 6:00pm - Sep 10, 2026 · 7:00pm
We're hiring! Join us on Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. for a Q&A about the hiring process to become a Parks or...
Sep
10
Hiring Q&A — Parks and Wildlife Officers
Sep 10, 2026 · 6:00pm - Sep 10, 2026 · 7:00pm
We're hiring! Join us on Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at 6 p.m. for a Q&A about the hiring process to become a Parks or...
History
In the past, people came to the Lower Arkansas River Valley for shelter, food from hunting and plants, and water. Petroglyphs in the area suggest that Native Americans camped here. Explorers like Lt. Zebulon Pike and Kit Carson traveled along the Arkansas River. Later on, traders and settlers traveled through the region on the mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail. You can still see parts of this historic trail on the North Shore of the park. The dam creating John Martin Reservoir was built from 1939 to 1948 as a project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for irrigation and flood control. Since October 2001, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has managed the Lake Hasty area below the dam, the surface of John Martin Reservoir and a part of the north shore through a lease agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.