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Park Conditions
Park Conditions

  • Boating


    Highline Lake Boat Inspection Hours are changing! 

    August 5 - August 18                6 am to 9 pm
    August 19 - September 5         7 am to 9 pm
    September 6 - September 30   7 am to 8 pm
     
    Due to staff limitations,
    decontaminations (boats with  ballast tanks or bags)
      will ONLY be done:
              Monday - Thursday                   8 am to 4 pm
              Friday   - Sunday                      8 am to 8 pm
     
    Stop at the Visitor Center at the east park entrance or call the Visitor Center at 970-858-7208 to arrange for a decontamination.
     
    Boats must launch at the West ramp only!  
     
    Boats must have a 2019 registration, including an ANS Stamp, and be inspected for ANS before launching.
     
    Any boat that is launched without an inspection is subject to a fine and ejection from the lake! 
        

    If a boat has a motor or sail, or is on a trailer, it must be inspected prior to launching!​​​​

    Mack Mesa Lake is available to canoes, kayaks, and hand-launched boats (electric-or hand-powered) boats.   

     

    ​
    (Updated: 8/7/2019 2:53 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.
     
    Beginning January 1, 2019, you must make a reservation before occupying a site! A reservation may be made up to 6 months in advance.   
     
    Make reservations online​ or call 1-800-244-5613.  There IS NO FEE to make a reservation beginning January 1, 2019. 
     
    Contacting the Reser​​vation system​ is the ONLY way a site will be available for you when you arrive at the park!
     
    Plan your Highline Lake camping trip now!  The campground sites can be reserved up to 6 months in advance, and an available site can be hard to find from March through October.  
     
    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 shows 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!
      

     

     

    (Updated: 3/6/2019 9:27 AM)

  • Cell Phone Coverage

    Cell phone coverage in and around the park is usually great!  The campground has good reception; a low-lying area, such as near the west boat ramp and at Mack Mesa, may be spotty.
    (Updated: 3/6/2019 10:56 AM)

  • Fire Restrictions

    There are no current fire restrictions in place. 
    (Updated: 3/6/2019 10:57 AM)

  • Fishing Report

    Over 2,600 1.5 lb rainbow trout were stocked into Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake each on March 4!  

    Fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center.  Currently, Visitor Center hours are normally 8:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.  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 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: 3/12/2019 2:20 PM)

  • Park Entrance

    ​​The Visitor Center at the East entrance to the park is  usually open from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Call 970-858-7208 to be sure the Visitor Center is open.  

    At the Visitor Center you may purchase individual, daily, Annual, Aspen Annual, Multiple and Replacement passes and Hang Tag passes, as well as hunting and fishing licenses, and registrations for boats, OHVs and snowmobiles!

    You will also 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.

    The receipt for an Annual pass purchased from an automated machine is valid for 30 days only; redeem the receipt for a pass as soon as possible!

    Annual passes are not valid unless attached to the vehicle windshield, except for the new Hang Tag passes, which hang from the vehicle rear-view mirror.

    (Updated: 3/12/2019 2:22 PM)

  • Swimming Conditions

    The swimbeach is now open! 
    (Updated: 5/17/2019 4:07 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! 

    The trails are in fine shape and are seeing lots of activity from bikers and hikers alike!  However, always be prepared if you decide to go onto the trails at Highline Lake in Spring!

    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: 4/1/2019 1:48 PM)

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