Celebrate Colorado Day -
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is offering free entry to all Colorado state parks on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026. Learn more.
Lake Pueblo State Park
State Park in Pueblo, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 9 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:
640 Pueblo Reservoir Road
Pueblo, CO 81005
United States
Lake Pueblo State Park
State Park in Pueblo, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 9 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:
640 Pueblo Reservoir Road
Pueblo, CO 81005
United States
Navigate to:
Lake Pueblo Aircraft Fire Response Operations Underway
Boaters should stay at least a 1/2 mile from the dam, from N1 Cove to Sailboard Beach; keep alert to / clear of all aircraft activity.
Pueblo County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions
Effective immediately, Pueblo County Sheriff has issued a Stage 2 Fire Ban. Lake Pueblo State Park and all of Pueblo County are under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions due to dry conditions, high heat, and extreme wildfire risk. Read a list of prohibited and allowed activities, penalties for violations and how to keep up on fire-related information.
Child paddle boarding on Lake Pueblo
Welcome to Lake Pueblo State Park
Lake Pueblo, rated a fishing hot spot, provides over 4,600 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline and almost 10,000 acres of land. Water recreation opportunities include sailing, motor-boating, waterskiing and river tubing. Visitors enjoy views of the Greenhorn and Wet mountain ranges to the southwest and the magnificent Pikes Peak to the north.
14,600+
acres
400
campsites
150
picnic sites
15.4
miles of trail
Accessing the Park
Directions
South Park Entrance
Take I-25 to Pueblo. Turn west on US Hwy 50 (Exit 101). Drive four miles to Pueblo Blvd. Turn south and go four miles to Thatcher Blvd (Hwy 96). Turn west and go four miles to the south park entrance.
North Park Entrance
Take I-25 to Pueblo. Turn west on US Hwy 50 (Exit 101). Drive 7 miles to McCulloch Blvd. Turn south and go 4 miles to Nichols Road. Turn south and go 1 mile to the north park entrance.
The Lake Pueblo State Park office is located on the south side of the park on South Marina Road.
Winter Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Summer Hours: Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
North Boat Ramp
The North Boat Ramp, located next to North Shore Marina, has six launch lanes and two courtesy docks.
South Boat Ramp
The South Boat Ramp, located next to South Shore Marina, has six launch lanes and one courtesy dock.
For more information on Lake Pueblo‘s boat ramps, including seasonal openings and mandatory boat inspections, see the Park Highlights page. For statewide boating information, visit the CPW Statewide Boating page.
Conditions
Effective immediately, Pueblo County Sheriff has issued a Stage 2 Fire Ban. Lake Pueblo State Park and all of Pueblo County are under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions due to dry conditions, high heat, and extreme wildfire risk.
Please take these restrictions seriously to help protect our community, public lands, and first responders.
STRICTLY PROHIBITED (Not Allowed):
- No Campfires or Open Fires: Building, maintaining, or using any open flame or campfire is strictly prohibited. This includes wood-burning campfires, fire pits, and charcoal grills/barbecues, even within developed campgrounds or private residences.
- No Smoking Outdoors: Smoking is completely banned outdoors unless you are inside an enclosed vehicle or building. Always dispose of smoking materials safely in a proper receptacle—never throw them from a vehicle window!
- No Fireworks: The possession, sale, or use of all fireworks (including those normally considered "permissible") is completely banned.
- No Incendiary Devices: The use of explosives, exploding targets, rockets, or tracer ammunition is strictly illegal.
Violations of Stage 2 Fire Restrictions can result in heavy fines, court appearances, and legal liability for any fire suppression costs if a wildfire is started.
Let's all do our part to keep Pueblo safe. If you see smoke or a suspected fire violation, dial 911 immediately.
Closures
There are no closures at this time.
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
Lake Pueblo's diverse habitats create a home for various wildlife. The river corridor hosts mule deer, raccoons and coyotes, while beaver dams and lodges are common. A bobcat family is a frequent sight, and different bird species like cormorants, western grebes, great blue herons and pelicans can be spotted around the lake throughout the year.
Visitors often find themselves wondering, "Did I just see a pink snake?" No need to doubt your eyes or question your vision: You might indeed come across a pink snake at Lake Pueblo. Locals refer to them as Red Racers, but they are actually Coachwhips.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides are available on Lake Pueblo State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
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
- Mergansers
- Cormorant
- Roadrunner
- Egret
- Bald eagle
- Red tail hawk
- Osprey
- Great horned owl
- American kestrel
- Turkey vulture
- Scaled quail
- Wild turkey
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
- American beaver
- Fox squirrel
- American badger
- Western deer mouse
- Mule deer
- Coyote
- Pronghorn
- Bobcat
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
- Coachwhip
- Pond slider
- Spiny softshell
- Mexican spadefoot
- Western tiger salamander
- American bullfrog
- Prairie rattlesnake
- Bull snake
- Coachwhip
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into Lake Pueblo State Park's iNaturalist, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
Geology at This Park
Lake Pueblo Park has a fascinating geologic history shaped by three key processes:
- Deposition of sedimentary rocks: During the Cretaceous Period, an inland sea covered the region, collecting sediments from western mountains (present-day Nevada). Over time, these sediments formed rock layers of sandstone, shale and limestone, preserving plant and animal fossils.
- Uplift and mountain building: Toward the end of the Cretaceous, the Rocky Mountains uplifted, creating the ranges west of Lake Pueblo and elevating the eastern high plains. The Tertiary period, which followed the Cretaceous, witnessed the deposition of non-marine sediments on the high plains, originating from the uplifting Rockies.
-
Erosion and landscape evolution: In the Tertiary, river systems developed, including the Arkansas, which carved the valley now occupied by Lake Pueblo. This erosion shaped steep bluffs on the lake's north and south sides, exposing sedimentary rocks from the Cretaceous.
Notable rock layers in the park include Dakota Sandstone, Graneros Shale, Lincoln Limestone, Hartland Shale, Bridge Creek Limestone, Fairport Chalky Shale, Blue Hill Shale, Codell Sandstone and Ft. Hayes Limestone. These can be observed along the dam spillway, through Rock Canyon and up to the Liberty Point area.
Lake Pueblo's Rock Canyon is a global reference point, Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), for a specific boundary on the geologic time scale. Geologists worldwide visit to study this site. Although fossils are common, collecting rocks or fossils is prohibited in the park.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
- Russian olive
- Great Plains yucca
- Small-flowered sand verbena
- Silky sophora
- Pinyon-juniper woodlands
- Riparian and wetland communities
- Mixed grassland communities
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...