State Park Finder
There’s something for everyone, of every age, at Colorado’s state parks, and water sports are a great way to have fun in the sun while cooling off during the summer heat. Please remember your life jacket before recreating. Whether swimming in a lake, canoeing down a river or setting out on a boating trip, safety should be top of mind when you embark on any aquatic adventure.
State Park Finder
There’s something for everyone, of every age, at Colorado’s state parks, and water sports are a great way to have fun in the sun while cooling off during the summer heat. Please remember your life jacket before recreating. Whether swimming in a lake, canoeing down a river or setting out on a boating trip, safety should be top of mind when you embark on any aquatic adventure.
Water Activities at Parks with Smaller Lakes and Reservoirs
Highline
The area is perfect for families looking to enjoy a day at the lake. Highline Lake provides a 160-surface acre warm water setting for water-skiing, fishing and other water activities. Access to picnic areas with grills and a buoyed-off swimming area are nearby.
Mack Mesa Lake has a handicapped-accessible fishing pier, and is perfect for paddleboards, kayaks and small fishing boats with electric-motors only.
Lathrop
Lathrop offers 330 surface acres of water with two lakes. At Martin Lake visitors can power boat, sail, windsurf, water ski, kayak and fish. There is a swim beach, along with covered picnic tables and grills.
Horseshoe Lake offers sailing, boating at wakeless speeds, wind surfing, as well as fishing. The smaller, wakeless lake makes it a perfect haven for kayakers and canoeists.
Lathrop’s location in southern Colorado allows its waters to average 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer.
Mancos
Surrounded by the stunning scenery of the San Juan Mountains and the archaeological mysteries of southwestern Colorado, Mancos is a great destination. The park's main attraction is the 216-surface acre reservoir. Jackson Gulch Reservoir is a great place for fishing and hand-powered crafts such as kayaks, canoes and sailboats. Jackson Gulch is a wakeless reservoir. Water skiing, jet skiing and swimming are not permitted.
The reservoir provides quality fishing opportunities year-round for various species of trout, as well as yellow perch.
Pearl Lake
Nestled in the mountains north of Steamboat Springs, this peaceful park sits in a serene and quiet lakeside setting. Excellent fly and lure fishing for native cutthroat trout can be found. Paddleboarders, kayakers and sailors clamor for a chance to launch on Pearl's expansive and still waters. Pearl Lake is a wakeless lake. Water skiing, jet skiing and swimming are not permitted. Paddle boards are available for rent from a vendor on the weekends.
St. Vrain
Spanning 228 sparkling acres, St. Vrain is the perfect escape for anglers and outdoor lovers alike. Catch and release bass fishing on Blue Heron Reservoir is popular with gas motors and hand-launched vessels operated at wakeless speeds allowed. Explore several peaceful ponds, where twelve fish species can be found. Hand-launched vessels that are hand or foot propelled or with electric trolling motors, along with inflatable devices with two or more chambers, are permitted. Accessible fishing piers are available at Pelican and Sandpiper Ponds. Stone fishing platforms are scattered across five ponds.
Featured Issue
Colorado Outdoors Magazine
2026 Annual State Parks Issue — View the contents.
The annual state park issue is full of recreation ideas: Bird watch at Barr Lake, go into the backcountry at State Forest, experience whitewater thrills at Arkansas Headwater.
A great gift
At Home in Nature - The History of Colorado's State Parks
Order online or stop by your favorite park to pick up a copy!
The story of how Colorado's state parks came to be, featuring breathtaking photography and the voices of the staff and stewards of these magnificent public lands. The book delves into the rich history of Colorado's state parks, from their inception to the present day, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the state's natural and cultural heritage.
Colorado's Ultimate Road Trip
Colorado State Parks Passport
Visit a state park or hatchery and ask for your free passport. Ask any state park or hatchery staff to stamp your passport. Collect all 57 (42 parks, 15 hatcheries) stamps and receive a completion prize.