Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Park Conditions

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Park Conditions

Park Conditions

Boat Ramps
Blue Heron Reservoir is closed to boating until March 1. No boating is allowed on any body of water until then.
(Updated: 12/28/2018 9:31 AM)
Boating
Boats with electric motors and non-motorized boats that are hand-launched are allowed on all of the ponds.
Blue Heron Reservoir allows for gas-powered motors under 10hp operated at wakeless speeds. Blue Heron Reservoir also has a boat ramp, trailer parking, and vault toilets for boaters.
Blue Heron Reservoir closes to all boating between Dec. 1-Mar.1. The Reservoir may stay closed past Mar. 1 if ice conditions persist.
All boats with a motor or a sail must have a current state boat registration in order to operate within the state. You may register your boat at the park entrance station.
For more information call (303) 678-9402.
(Updated: 8/16/2017 10:22 AM)
Camping
The north campgrounds are Sandpiper, Mallard and Pelican (sites 1-41); they are electric sites only.
Full-service campgrounds are Tail Feather, Red Tail, Bald Eagle, Coot, and Kestrel (sites 42-87); they are located on the south side of the park.
For camping rates and more information, please visit the Fees page.
St Vrain is part of a "reservation-only" pilot program. The program has eliminated the 3-day reservation window. Camping reservations are now available 24/7 online at https://www.cpwshop.com/home.page or by phone at 1-800-244-5613. All campers must make a campsite reservation prior to occupying the site.
If a campsite is available, a walk-up customer that is prepared to occupy the campsite may still purchase/reserve the site at the entrance station. However, we recommend making a reservation before you arrive to assure you have a campsite for the night.
Check-in for campsites is at 1 p.m. and check-out is at 12 noon.
Daily or Annual vehicle permits are required on all vehicles that enter the park. These fees are in addition to the camping reservation and may be purchased at the entrance station when checking in or after hours at the self-serve kiosk.
Some campground loops close in the winter months.
(Updated: 10/11/2018 11:33 AM)
Fire Restrictions
We currently do not have a fire ban. However, fires are only permitted in designated grills and fire rings. Fires must remain attended. Conditions are very dry, please be careful. FIREWORKS ARE NOT PERMITTED.
(Updated: 9/13/2018 12:56 PM)
Fishing Report
There are 11 fishable ponds at St. Vrain, that are stocked on a regular basis.
Ice fishing is allowed on all ponds except Pelican Pond, which has an aeration system that makes ice extremely dangerous. Ice fishing is not recommended when ice is less than 4" thick, cracking, or pocked. Check ice conditions below for updated information.
Bald Eagle Pond is artificial flies and lures only. Bald Eagle Pond and Blue Heron Reservoir are trophy bass fisheries: all bass caught on these 2 ponds must be immediately returned to the water! Only 1 catfish in your standard bag and possession limit can exceed 20" on Blue Heron Reservoir.
Blue Heron has been producing some good sized Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Saugeye on jigs and lures.
Trout fishing is very productive in spring and fall depending on stocking. Stocked trout are only 8-10" in length and we do not recommend keeping them until they have matured and are of a healthy size: around 12-24". Overfishing these waters results in smaller, less productive populations.
Check the state stocking report for more information.
Don't forget your fishing license!
(Updated: 2/26/2018 1:49 PM)
Icing Conditions
Avocet: ~2".
Bald Eagle: 0-3" , ~95% cover.
Blue Heron: 0-3", ~60% cover.
Coot: 1-3", thin pockets.
Killdeer: ~2", soft north side.
Mallard: 1-3", soft North shoreline, thickest near CSB.
Pelican: 0-3", NO ICE FISHING ALLOWED. May shoreline fish if open.
Pintail: ~2", soft ice.
Redtail: ~3", fairly good ice, no fish reported.
Sandpiper: 0-3", soft on north half w/ holes from shoreline anglers breaking ice.
Yellowlegs: ~2".
(Updated: 1/12/2019 8:32 AM)
Road Conditions
Dirt roads on the south side of the park can produce dust if vehicles travel above the posted 15 mph speed limit, and infractions will be enforced.
(Updated: 9/13/2018 12:49 PM)
Seasonal Closures
All bodies of water closed to boating Dec. 1- March 1.
Pelican, Coot, and Kestrel Campgrounds are closed.
Pelican Pond is closed to ice fishing.
(Updated: 12/28/2018 9:26 AM)
Swimming Conditions
For health and safety reasons there is NO WADING or SWIMMING in any water at the park. People may use waders as an aid to fishing.
(Updated: 5/11/2018 6:40 PM)
Trails
There are six trails open for use:
- Pelican Pond Trail is a 1.3 mile trail that encompasses Pelican Pond. The trail passes along the North Boundary along St. Vrain Creek and can be joined with Muskrat Run along Mallard Pond.
- Muskrat Run Trail is a 1 mile trail that encompasses Sandpiper, Avocet, Killdeer, and Mallard Ponds.
- Bald Eagle Pond Trail is a 1 mile trail that encompasses Bald Eagle Pond and can be joined with Coot Pond.
- Coot Pond Trail is a 0.6 mile trail that encompasses Coot Pond. The trail also passes by Bald Eagle and Pintail Ponds.
- Red Tail Pond Trail is a 0.35 mile loop that provides shoreline access to Red Tail Pond.
- Blue Heron Reservoir Trail is a 1.6 mile loop that provides shoreline access to Blue Heron Reservoir.
(Updated: 11/10/2017 1:30 PM)
Water Levels
Water levels vary from pond to pond. All of the ponds in the park fluctuate with rising and lowering groundwater and rainfall.

Blue Heron Reservoir's current maximum depth is marked in the concrete at the side of the boat ramp. Compare the depth mark to the bathymetric map on the boat safety sign in the parking lot to gauge depths more accurately while boating or fishing!
(Updated: 8/16/2017 10:31 AM)