Colorado Parks & Wildlife - Park Activities

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Park Activities

Park Activities

Biking
Bicycling is enjoyed around the park on our 7 miles of paved and gravel roads and inside the campgrounds.
Note: Bicycles are not allowed on the nature trails.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:13 AM)
Birding
The hummingbirds have arrived along with many migratory and resident birds. You should easily spot Colorado bluebirds, wild turkeys and red-tailed hawks, common ravens and a variety of raptors, waterfowl and shorebirds.
The Ospreys have built a nest on the roosting pole near the South Road and just recently on the platform on the east end of the lake. The Osprey return to the park each year.
An August 28, 2010 Audubon Bird Count identified 84 species of birds at Vega Park including a rare sighting of the Sabine's Gull.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:14 AM)
Boating
In addition to fishing, water sports such as water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and jet skiing are popular on Vega’s high-mountain lake (8,000-ft. elevation). Swimming is permitted within the no wake zones in Vega Reservoir.
All boat ramps and ANS inspections open by the end of April or early May depending on ice conditions. ANS inspections run from Mid May to end of October each year depending on ice off and water levels.
Beginning May 2021, to prevent boats from launching during hours that ANS inspections are not available, the park has installed new gates and one-way spike strips. The spike strips will allow boats to exit the lake after hours at the Island boat ramp but will prevent anyone from entering the lake during non-inspection hours. Boaters that plan to exit the lake after inspection hours should park and use the Island boat ramp so that they are not behind locked gates after hours. Early Settlers and Oak Point boat ramps will be locked daily after the ANS inspection gate closes each day at 8:30 p.m.
For the safety of all boaters, Colorado Boating Statutes and Regulations are strictly enforced at Vega.
Colorado Off Highway Vehicle, Snowmobile, and Boat registrations, Non-resident ANS stamp and re-printing of temporary tags are available at the Park Visitor Center.
(Updated: 4/23/2021 3:19 PM)
Cabins and Yurts
Vega has 5 rustic cabins available throughout the year and are located adjacent to a great sledding hill. Cabins include heat, a microwave and refrigerator. Pets are allowed in three of the cabins for an additional $10 a night. Due to COVID 19 our cabin check in time is now 4:00 p.m. to allow for extra cleaning.
Check out our Cabins page for detailed information.
(Updated: 7/28/2020 9:38 AM)
Camping
The park’s 109 campsites in three campgrounds surround the lake. The campsites range from pull-through sites with electric hookups to 10 walk-in tent sites in the Pioneer Campground.
Handicap accessible sites are available and can be reserved by calling 1-800-244-5613.
All camp sites have a picnic table, fire pit with grill cover and a view of the lake or surrounding mountain landscape. One holding tank dump station is located just north of the Visitor Center available for use with a valid camping permit and day pass.
Visit Vega's Camping page for additional information and pricing.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:18 AM)
Cross-country Skiing
Vega offers amazing cross country skiing opportunities on our South Road and near the dam. Come join us each and every winter for skiing on the park.
(Updated: 11/18/2021 4:26 PM)
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the park as long as:
they are on a six foot or shorter leash at all times
their waste is properly disposed of
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:17 AM)
Education Programs
Vega's Great Outdoors Colorado Naturalists offer fun family programs in the spring and summer. Come and enjoy great programs on Friday and Saturday afternoon and evenings. Park rangers and volunteers present programs year-round that feature the area's history, flora & fauna, astrology and more! See the CPW Calendar for upcoming events!
Call the park at (970) 487-3407 to schedule programs for your school and other groups.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:17 AM)
Fishing
All boat ramps are closed for the season due to extreme low water levels.

(Updated: 9/5/2021 4:11 PM)
Group Picnicking
For large gatherings of up to 100 people, call the park office at (970) 487-3407 and reserve the Meadows Group Picnic Area for a family reunion, company picnic or wedding.
This is a nice open pavilion that rents for only $80 per day (9 AM to 9 PM). It is located adjacent to the Aspen Grove Campground, complete with a covered shelter over plenty of picnic tables and food serving countertops with electricity for your appliances. There's also an extra large BBQ grill for cooking.
A horseshoe pit is available with plenty of open grass meadows for any kind of play.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:19 AM)
Hiking
Hikers can enjoy a two-mile natural surface trail through the beautiful aspen forest and mountain shrub vegetation. This trail doubles as a snowshoe trail in winter months. The trail begins at the Snowmobile/OHV parking lot and ends east of Cattleman's Meadows. There is also a two-mile trail on the north side of the lake which can be accessed on the north side of Oak Point campground and leads all the way to the dam on the west end of the lake. Visitors can also access trails atop the Grand Mesa for hiking, trail biking, and four wheeling in the summer.
Visit Vega's Trails page for more information.
(Updated: 12/5/2020 2:56 PM)
Horseback Riding
Take a leisurely ride around the lake on your four-legged friends! Approximately 7 miles of paved and dirt roads make for a nice easy ride, or for the more adventuresome hundreds of mile of trails can be accessed on the Grand Mesa National Forest.
Horse corrals are available to rent near the Vega Pioneer cabins. The corrals can be reserved by calling the park office at (970) 487-3407. The fee to rent the horse corrals is $10 per head per night.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:18 AM)
Hunting
The park is open for hunting by archery or shotgun loaded with birdshot only during established hunting seasons from the first Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. Many hunters camp or rent Vega's cabins and then access the vast hunting areas on the Grand Mesa. Hunting licenses are available for purchase at the Visitor Center.
Call the park office at (970) 487-3407 for more information on rules for hunting in the park.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:19 AM)
Ice Fishing
Ice-fishing is available during the winter months. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.
For recent conditions, visit the Vega park Conditions page, or call the park office at (970) 487-3407.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:19 AM)
Ice Skating
Ice Skating is available when ice conditions are favorable. Although park staff does not clear snow from the ice, park visitors may clear it with snow shovels.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:20 AM)
Jet Skiing
Although jet skiing is available, lake water temperatures are always very cool even in the summer months. Please dress accordingly and respect the rights of anglers and boaters and remain at least 150 feet from other recreationists as required by law.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:20 AM)
OHV Riding
The OHV/Snowmobile staging area is located in the southwest corner of the park provides trailer parking with easy access to hundreds of miles open trails in the Grand Mesa National Forest.
No OHV riding is permitted in the park, except for access to and from Forest Service RD 262 (Park Creek RD), and the Early Settlers CG or the Pioneer Cabins and Pioneer Tent-site area. Colorado Off Highway Vehicle, Snowmobile, and Boat registrations, Non-resident ANS stamp and re-printing of temporary tags are available at the Park Visitor Center.
Note: If camping in the Aspen Grove or Oak Point campgrounds, OHVs are required to be hauled to the OHV lot adjacent to Park Creek Road. A daily or annual park pass is required to use the OHV lot.
(Updated: 7/20/2019 2:28 PM)
Paddle Boarding
The lake at Vega State Park offers the perfect paddle boarding opportunity, with stunning views and expansive waters! Participants must have a properly sized PFD readily available while paddle boarding. Plan ahead: dress for cold waters, and obtain boards before entering the park. Vega Lodge, privately owned, adjacent to the park does rent Stand Up Paddle Boards.
For more information and how-to's on stand up paddle boarding, visit our paddle boarding pages.
(Updated: 12/5/2020 2:58 PM)
Photography
The summer wild flowers are blooming and colorful from mid June to mid July. The summer clouds and storms provide a great backdrop for photographs. In addition, there are wildlife that can be photographed - from a distance.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:22 AM)
Picnicking
Vega has wonderful scenic picnic sites located around the reservoir, including Cattleman’s Meadows, Turtle Shell Day Use area and the Overlook picnic area. The Meadows Group Picnic Area is a reservations-only large group picnicking site with plenty of room for volleyball or badminton if you bring your own equipment.
Stop by the Visitor’s Center to checkout the horseshoes for the horseshoe pit.
For picnic locations, visit the Vega Maps and Directions page.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:22 AM)
Sledding
Sledding is available with appropriate snow conditions with one of the best hills adjacent to our heated cabins.
See the Winter Activities and Conditions pages for more information.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:23 AM)
Snowmobiling
The OHV/Snowmobile Staging Area located in the southwest corner of the park, provides trailer parking with easy access to hundreds of miles of Grand Mesa National Forest trails.
Please make sure you have a daily or annual parks pass on your vehicle when parking in this area. Winter Recreation Grand Mesa maps are available for sale at the Visitor Center.
Colorado Off Highway Vehicle, Snowmobile, and Boat registrations, Non-resident ANS stamp and re-printing of temporary tags are available at the Park Visitor Center. can be processed at the Visitor Center Friday to Tuesday 8:00am to 4:00pm.
(Updated: 7/20/2019 2:28 PM)
Snowshoeing
Our two mile nature trail is an excellent jaunt for snowshoers of all levels.
See the Winter Activities and Conditions pages for more information.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:23 AM)
Snowtubing
Available with appropriate snow conditions.
See the Winter Activities and Conditions pages for more information.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:23 AM)
Swimming
While there is no designated swim beach located on the reservoir, swimming is allowed in all no-wake zones.
(Updated: 6/15/2021 10:07 AM)
Volleyball
Bring your own gear and set up in any number of open areas!
The Meadows Group Picnic Area has plenty of room; call for reservations (970) 487-3407.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:23 AM)
Water Skiing
Skiing on the reservoir is allowed. Please remember to ski only in a counter-clockwise direction; avoid the no-wake zones and dress warmly due to cooler waters.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:24 AM)
Wildlife Viewing
Depending upon the time of year and time of day, you can view various wildlife, including marmots, chipmunks, foxes, beavers, porcupines, and on rare occasions - a bear. Always maintain a safe distance from wildlife. There is a possibility you might even see a moose!
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:24 AM)
Winter Camping
Since some campsites may be open for winter camping, please call the park for daily conditions. Some roads are kept plowed, but campsites within the campgrounds may or may not be plowed. Some winter vault toilets remain open.
Cabins in Pioneer Campground are available during the winter season and are well-heated.
Centrally located water hydrants and vault toilet facilities are available. The showers in Early Settlers campgrounds close for a portion of the winter season from November - April and re-open in May.
If you are interested in winter camping, call (970) 487-3407 for more details.
(Updated: 5/3/2019 11:25 AM)