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Park Conditions
Park Conditions

  • Boating


    ​Highline Lake is CLOSED to boating for the season. The lake will reopen on March 1, 2019, weather-permitting.

    Mack Mesa Lake is iced over.​​​​

    (Updated: 12/28/2018 1:54 PM)

  • Camping

    T​he campground and Camper Services Building are open year round!  The heated Camper Services building has coin-operated hot showers and laundry facilities, and there is a change machine outside the camper services building for your convenience.

    Plan your Highline Lake camping trip now!  Each year, the campground fills quickly with reservations, from March through October.
     
    Beginning January 1, 2019, you can make a reservation up to 6 months in advance, and you must make a reservation before occupying a site.  
     
    Make reservations online​ or call 1-800-244-5613.  There IS NO fee to make a reservation beginning January 1, 2019.  
     
    Please check the campground map on the Highline Lake web pages,​ or the Reservations​ page, to make sure of the site number you want before making a reservation!      
     
    If you are having problems reserving a particular site that is showing it is already reserved, try logging on to the reservation system​ again and again! You may end up in "the right place at the right time" to reserve a just-cancelled reservation for the dates and site you want!
      

    Contacting the Reser​​vation system​ is the ONLY way a site will be available for you when you arrive!

     

    (Updated: 1/4/2019 11:37 AM)

  • Cell Phone Coverage

    Cell phone coverage in and around the park is usually good with most carriers; some carriers can be spotty, due to the low-lying areas and small hills in the park, such as near the west boat ramp and Mack Mesa.
    (Updated: 12/28/2018 2:11 PM)

  • Fire Restrictions

    There are no current fire restrictions in place. 
    (Updated: 12/28/2018 2:11 PM)

  • Fishing Report

    Fishing has picked up, with both Highline and Mack Mesa Lakes iced over! Ice thickness is unknown at this time;  If you decide to go onto the ice, be sure to "measure as you go". 

    There are several ice rescue stations around Mack Mesa and Highline Lakes; before you go on the ice, take note of their locations.  Ice safety tips are available at Colorado Parks and Wildlife Ice Safety Information.     

    For the avid ice fisherman, it may be worth a trip to Highline to check out conditions in person!  If you find conditions to be good, please let us know!  Stop by the Visitor Center, contact a Ranger or give us a call at 970-858-7208.  Thank you!

    Fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center.  Currently, Visitor Center hours are normally 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.  During the winter months, contact the park at 970-858-7208 to be sure the Visitor Center is open. 

    You must have a valid ID and social security number, or a CID number and an email address to purchase a fishing license.  If you have a license from a previous year, the process of purchasing a current license will be much easier!     

    ​If you would like a photo of you and your "Big  Fish"  posted on our Big Fish Board, stop by the Visitor Center.  We will take your photo and post it!  Or, email your photo and fish information  to  highline.park@state.co.us. Then stop by the Visitor Center to find your photo, and check out what others have caught!   

    (Updated: 1/4/2019 11:56 AM)

  • Park Entrance

    ​​The Visitor Center at the East entrance to the park is  usually open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  During the winter months, contact us at 970-858-7208 to be sure the Visitor Center is open.  

    At the Visitor Center you may purchase daily, Annual, Aspen Annual, Multiple and Replacement passes, hunting and fishing licenses, and registrations for boats, OHVs and snowmobiles.

    You will find a wide variety of merchandise in our Visitor Center, where we have required flotation devices and fire extinguishers for boaters; books for all ages; Highline logo  ball caps; a zoo of stuffed animals in a variety of sizes; and lots of camping and picnic items that you may have forgotten to bring!     

    For your convenience, there is an automated machine at both East and West entrances to the park, where you can buy daily passes and annual passes. Both automated machines accept credit cards ONLY; no cash is accepted at the machines! 

    If you purchase an Annual pass from either of the automated machines, you may redeem the receipt at any manned CPW entrance for the physical pass to attach to the vehicle windshield.

    Annual pass receipts are valid for only 30 days, and may  turn black and be invalid if left in the sun!  Redeem the receipt for a pass as soon as possible!

    Passes are not valid unless attached to the vehicle windshield.

    (Updated: 12/28/2018 2:22 PM)

  • Swimming Conditions

    The Lakeview Swim Beach is CLOSED for the season.
    (Updated: 12/28/2018 2:22 PM)

  • Trails

    ​All of our trails are open year round, BUT be prepared for adverse weather by checking the Highline Lake Home Page Weather​ for the most up-to-date information! 

    When you hit the trails biking and hiking this time of year,  be sure to dress in layers and bring appropriate gear for the fickle Western Slope weather!  You know the saying, "if you don't like the Western Colorado weather, just wait 15 minutes . . . ! ​ It might change!" 

    Climb to the top of Mack Hill to watch the sunrise or sunset and the beautiful 360 degree scenery of the entire Grand Valley a totally awesome way to start or end any day.  

    Thank you!  For helping to keep the park and trails clean by leashing and picking up after your pet, whether it is a small dog or even a horse!  Pets must be on a leash 6' or less at all times in the park -  including the trails!

    There are free doggie/trash bags available at the trail heads, at the Visitor Center, at the Camper Services Building, or from any park staff member. Please report any issues on the trails to the Visitor's Center.  For more information, visit our Trails page​.

    (Updated: 12/28/2018 2:23 PM)

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