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Park Conditions
Park Conditions

  • Boat Ramps

    Blue Heron Reservoir is now open. It is the only body of water at the park with a boat ramp. Trailered-launch and gas powered motors are not permitted on any of the other ponds in the park.

    (Updated: 3/31/2020 1:38 PM)

  • Boating

    All ponds and reservoirs are open to boating.

    (Updated: 3/10/2020 10:28 AM)

  • Camping

    For more information, see the Camping page.
    (Updated: 3/27/2020 10:26 AM)

  • Fall Colors

    Some poplar varieties have begun to change colors on the park after our hottest year on record.

    (Updated: 9/2/2020 4:18 PM)

  • Fire Restrictions

    We are under a statewide level I fire ban. However, fires are permitted in the park's designated grills and fire rings. Fires must remain attended. Conditions are very dry, please be careful. FIREWORKS ARE NOT PERMITTED.

    (Updated: 9/2/2020 4:16 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 produced some good sized Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Saugeye on jigs and lures.

    ​Trout fishing is very productive from fall through spring, especially for ice-fishing. Stocked trout are not picky and will be easy to catch by any legal method using a fly, lure, or bait. However, trout populations do very poorly in the summer at St. Vrain as water temps can reach the mid 80s.

    Bluegill, Sunfish, Pumpkin Seed, and other smaller fish and panfish will do well on small jigs, flies, and spin bait, and small live bait where legal.

    Bass, Saugeye, Perch, and Crappie do well on jigs, spinners, streamers, poppers, seasonal flies, or live bait rigs where allowed. water temperature and spawning time will affect productivity.

    Carp and Catfish are plentiful, but fairly picky. Smelly bait, where legal, is productive. Cottonwood seed and topwater flies can be productive in the summer in the shallows for Carp.

    Pike and Walleye will also chase larger swim baits and spoons, but we recommend suspending only a few feet down, as most ponds with Pike are very shallow at St. Vrain. Pike and Walleye will also chase streamers and poppers, but will usually require some form of a leader to prevent breaking free.

    Check the state Stocking Report for trout stocking.

    For on-the-go fishing information about St Vrain State Park check out the CPW Fishing App.

    Don't forget your fishing license!

    Buy a Fishing License

    (Updated: 1/2/2020 2:03 PM)

  • Hunting

    ​No hunting permitted, including collection of sheds.

    (Updated: 3/14/2019 1:11 PM)

  • Park Entrance

    Open for Credit Card Purchases only.

    Cash and check may be used for daily parks passes at the Self-Serve Kiosk.

    Daily Parks Passes, Annual Pass Vouchers, and Hang-Tag vouchers can be purchased at the Self-Serve Kiosk Credit Card machine after hours.

    Hunting and Fishing Licenses, Big Game Licenses, Registration Renewals, and Annual Passes can also be purchased online at www.cpwshop.com or over the phone at 1-800-244-5613.

    All other inquiries can call 303-678-9402 to speak to a staff member.

    (Updated: 9/2/2020 4:19 PM)

  • Road Conditions

    Roads may be dusty on south side; speed limit enforced at 15mph.
    (Updated: 6/4/2020 7:49 PM)

  • Swimming Conditions

    Swimming is never permitted at any time on any body of water at St. Vrain State Park.

    Water quality, high bacteria levels, fish hooks, snapping turtles, potentially toxic algae, make swimming unsafe.

    Swimming also has a negative impact on pond health and fish habitat due to chemical changes, litter, and disturbances of pond biology. Our ponds are managed for trophy quality fishing and low impact recreation.

    Union Reservoir 3 miles west has a public swim beach with regular water quality testing.

    (Updated: 9/2/2020 4:25 PM)

  • Trails

    Trails are in good condition. Some sections connecting Pelican Pond to Blue Heron Reservoir can be muddy in low areas and rutted along the service road.
    (Updated: 1/27/2020 2:14 PM)

  • Water Temperature

    ~75*F
    (Updated: 9/2/2020 4:26 PM)