Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Park Conditions

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Park Conditions

Park Conditions

Boat Ramps
The boat ramp is open for the spring and summer season.
- All boaters must stop at the inspection station before launching.
- Inspection times occur daily from 8am-4pm.
- Decontamination hours are daily from 10am-2pm.
- The boat ramp will be closing on November 15th.
Motorboats and sailboats must have an ANS Stamp prior to launching in Colorado since 2019.

Boat owners are required to purchase the ANS Stamp and operators must retain proof of purchase (electronic or printed receipt) on his or her person, the motorboat or sailboat, when operating the vessel (C.R.S. 33-10.5-104.5).
Motorboats and Sailboats from Colorado - $25.00
Colorado residents will purchase the ANS stamp at the time of registration. If you register/renew your vessel online or via a registration renewal postcard, the cost of the ANS stamp appears as part of your total amount due. You do NOT need to manually add another $25 to your payment for the ANS stamp.
Residents with motorboats or sailboats documented by the U.S. Coast Guard or otherwise exempt from in-state registration can purchase the ANS stamp online at cpwshop.com, or at any CPW office or sales location beginning January 1, 2019.
Motorboats and Sailboats from Another State - $50.00
Non-residents can purchase their ANS stamp online at cpwshop.com, or at any CPW office or sales location beginning January 1, 2019.
Funding contributes to prevention and management of ANS in the state.
(Updated: 9/30/2023 1:11 PM)
Boating
The boat ramp has opened for the sping and summer seasons.
- All boaters must stop at the inspection station before launching.
- Inspection times occur daily from 8am-4pm.
- Decontamination hours are daily from 10am-2pm.
- The boat ramp will be closing on November 15th.
Motorboats and sailboats must have an ANS Stamp prior to launching in Colorado since 2019.

Boat owners are required to purchase the ANS Stamp and operators must retain proof of purchase (electronic or printed receipt) on his or her person, the motorboat or sailboat, when operating the vessel (C.R.S. 33-10.5-104.5).
Motorboats and Sailboats from Colorado - $25.00
Colorado residents will purchase the ANS stamp at the time of registration. If you register/renew your vessel online or via a registration renewal postcard, the cost of the ANS stamp appears as part of your total amount due. You do NOT need to manually add another $25 to your payment for the ANS stamp.
Residents with motorboats or sailboats documented by the U.S. Coast Guard or otherwise exempt from in-state registration can purchase the ANS stamp online at cpwshop.com, or at any CPW office or sales location beginning January 1, 2019.
Motorboats and Sailboats from Another State - $50.00
Non-residents can purchase their ANS stamp online at cpwshop.com, or at any CPW office or sales location beginning January 1, 2019.
Funding contributes to prevention and management of ANS in the state.
(Updated: 9/30/2023 1:10 PM)
Camping
Campsites 1-23, 62 and 63 in the Carpios Ridge Campground are open. These sites all offer electrical hook-up. Sites 1-4, 6, 62-63 are full hook-up sites. Water is available throughout the Carpios Ridge Campground at community hydrants.
The Camper Services building is OPEN.
The South Shore Campground is OPEN. These 10 sites are basic campsites with no electrical or water hook-up.
All campsites are available by reservation only. Occupation of a site without a reservation will not be permitted. The 3-day reservation window does not apply at this park; sites are available for reservation 24/7. Self-service camping permits will no longer be valid. But as always, a park pass is required for every vehicle on the park. It is our goal to improve customer service with this change. To make a reservation or to check availability, please call 1-800-244-5613 or visit www.cpwshop.com .

(Updated: 5/1/2023 3:24 PM)
Cell Phone Coverage
Cell phone coverage is spotty depending on location and carrier. Typically Verizon and At&t have service throughout the park.
(Updated: 3/21/2022 12:51 PM)
Fire Restrictions

Fire Ban Information
A Stage I Fire Ban is in effect. Campfires are allowed in permanent fire rings in developed camgrounds and picnic areas.
(Updated: 8/5/2022 1:36 PM)
Fishing Report
The lake is at 619 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6179.40 ft. The water level is decreasing slightly. Islands have appeared and some hazards may not be marked.
Nightcrawlers continue to be the bait of choice for shore fishermen reporting success on perch and trout. Some are still having success on wiper and bass using perch as live bait, as well as nightcrawlers and powerbait.
Boat fishermen have also reported success on walleye and wiper using nightcrawlers, artifical minnows and crank baits.
The water temperature is around 63 degrees.
The boat ramp is OPEN for the season.
(Updated: 9/30/2023 1:21 PM)
Hunting
Hunting is allowed in designated areas of the park between the first Tuesday after Labor Day and the Friday prior to Memorial Day. The only methods of take allowed are archery equipment and shotguns with birdshot only.
(Updated: 9/30/2023 1:24 PM)
Road Conditions
Carpios Ridge is paved - all other areas of the park are dirt and gravel roads.
(Updated: 10/22/2015 9:05 AM)
Trails
All trails are open.
(Updated: 8/17/2023 2:35 PM)
Water Levels
The lake is currently at 619 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6179.40 feet.
(Updated: 9/30/2023 1:25 PM)
Water Temperature
Surface water temp is around 63 degrees.
(Updated: 9/30/2023 1:26 PM)
Weather
Weather varies here at Trinidad Lake. Windy conditions are common in the area, with occasional rainfall in the afternoon.
(Updated: 5/10/2023 10:37 AM)