Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Park Facilities

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Park Facilities

Park Facilities

Amphitheater
Programs provided on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
(Updated: 9/9/2015 8:13 AM)
Boat Ramps
Trinidad Lake has one boat ramp, which is closed for the winter season.
ANS Advisory: The program to prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) in Colorado’s waterways will continue this year. Call ahead at (719) 846-6951, for ANS inspections outside the regular inspection hours.
All boats must be inspected before launch and when coming off the lake.
Before leaving a lake or other waterway, boaters should: DRAIN the water from the boat, live well and lower unit of the engine; INSPECT all exposed surfaces; REMOVE all plant and animal material; CLEAN the hull of your boat; DRY the boat, fishing gear, and equipment.
BOATING ALERT: Due to water being released, boaters be aware of underwater hazards. Not all hazards will be marked.
(Updated: 12/1/2020 8:24 AM)
Camper Services Building
The family restrooms in the Camper Services Building are open year round and offer coin-operated showers. Main restroom and laundry facilities are open between mid May and mid October. Shower and laundry facilities are for camping guests only.
(Updated: 6/5/2020 11:12 AM)
Campgrounds
There are two campgrounds with a total of 73 modern campsites for RV's, tents and trailers. The Carpios Ridge campground with 63 sites sits on a ridge above the lake. An additional 10 sites are available in the South Shore Campground. Year-round camping is available in the Carpios Ridge Campground.
Check out the Camping page for additional information.
Check-in time for campsites is 1:00PM and check-out time is 12 noon.
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: 5/14/2020 11:32 AM)
Dump Station
A year-round dump station is available just outside the Carpios Ridge campground next to the Visitor Center. The water at the dump station has been turned off for the winter season.
If you are not camping with us, there is a dump fee to use these facilities.
(Updated: 10/23/2020 12:31 PM)
Group Campground
The Piedmont Group Camping Area with eight camping-vehicle sites is located away from the main campground and includes the Piedmont Group Picnic Shelter with all its amenities. There are electrical hookups at three of the camp sites as well as electricity at the pavilion. Vault toilets and water are also available. Dump station facilities, flush toilets, laundry facilities, and showers are accessible in the main campground.
For information about reserving the Group Camping Area, call the Visitor Center at (719) 846-6951.
(Updated: 6/24/2020 3:21 PM)
Group Picnic Area
Groups of up to 25 can enjoy great amenities like tables, grills, fireplaces and electricity in lighted shelters.
For additional information, see the Group Picnicking page.
(Updated: 6/24/2020 3:19 PM)
Picnic Sites
Tables, grills, shelters and access to restrooms are on the ridge overlooking the lake. Plus, there are some lakeside tables near the boat ramp as well as lakeside along the South Shore for easy water access.
(Updated: 6/24/2020 3:21 PM)
Playground
A state-of-the-art children's playground is now available next to the Carpios Ridge Campground.
(Updated: 12/1/2020 8:24 AM)
Retail Store
A retail store located in the Visitor Center carries an assortment of items including books, maps, hiking accessories, clothing, firewood, and finger puppets. Between May and early October, ice and worms are also available.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:38 PM)
Showers
Pay showers are available year-round in the family restrooms and in the main camper services building between mid May and mid October.
(Updated: 6/5/2020 11:14 AM)
Trails
There are approximately ten miles of trails on the park with 1.6 miles (two trails) being ADA-compliant. Horses are allowed on the South Shore Trail.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:39 PM)
Visitor Center
Stop in for information about the park and the Trinidad area. The Visitor Center is located next to the campground on Carpios Ridge. Visitors can browse the retail store (books, clothes, maps, gear and specialty items) and buy firewood, worms, and ice seasonally. State Park passes, OHV, boat, & snowmobile registrations, along with hunting and fishing licenses are also available.
The Visitor Center is the only place on the park where a park pass is not required to visit.
(Updated: 6/5/2020 11:15 AM)

Learn More

Alert
Construction during the months of April, May, June & July 2021: Some sites at Carpios Ridge Campground will be undergoing construction. Not all sites will be available for reservation during this time.

To make a reservation, please visit www.cpwshop.com or call 1-800-244-5613.
To limit exposure to our local residents, our local county is asking that visitors take the necessary precautions and bring all necessary items with you for your camping trip so that you are not traveling into the City of Trinidad and aren't visiting the local stores and restaurants.
Please bring hand sanitizer, soap, and all toiletries, fill up with fuel, and purchase groceries before you leave your local community.
If you have any symptoms or believe you have been exposed to Covid-19, please stay home.
Please use cpwshop.com to purchase annual park passes and hunting and fishing licenses.
For daily or annual parks passes, please use the Iron Ranger for credit card transactions or the park's self-service stations for cash or check transactions. These are both located at each entrance.
For updates regarding CPWs response to COVID-19, including reservation refunds, hunting questions, or steps to recreate responsibly outdoors, please visit CPW's COVID-19 page.