Winter Adventures in Colorado
Colorado's pristine snow and ice make it a winter wonderland. The state offers many outdoor activities, from the thrill of snowmobiling to the tranquility of wildlife watching and yurt camping. Embarking on a winter adventure in the great outdoors is an exciting experience. But before you set out, remember that mastering the art of navigating Colorado’s extreme winter weather is the key to a safe and enjoyable trip.
Winter Adventures in Colorado
Colorado's pristine snow and ice make it a winter wonderland. The state offers many outdoor activities, from the thrill of snowmobiling to the tranquility of wildlife watching and yurt camping. Embarking on a winter adventure in the great outdoors is an exciting experience. But before you set out, remember that mastering the art of navigating Colorado’s extreme winter weather is the key to a safe and enjoyable trip.
Rock ridges with trees at Eldorado Canyon State Park. ©Dustin Doskocil
Colorado State Parks
With more than 4,600 campsites and 70 cabins and yurts, located throughout the state, Colorado State Parks’ affordable accommodations offer something for everyone. From the outdoor enthusiast to the family looking for a relaxing weekend, the perfect escape is only a click or phone call away.
Visit a Park
Looking for an adventure or a relaxing weekend? Plan your escape to a Colorado State Park.
Colorado’s state parks are as diverse as the state itself, and they offer something for everyone. Enjoy a family picnic, cast a line in the water, take a hike, ride a horse, try snowshoeing or discover geocaching.
Purchase a Park Pass
All state parks require an entry pass. You can purchase a pass online, at all park visitor centers and CPW offices, and at any authorized sales agent.
Find out moreOpportunities for Everyone
Park Visitors Experiencing Disabilities
CPW parks offer accessible campsites, park passes, track-chairs, paved walkways, and accessible fishing piers to visitors experiencing disabilities. You can request Sign Language Interpretation, Assistive Listening Equipment or other ADA accommodation services.
Free state park access for Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Members
Governor Jared Polis signed HB 25-1163 on May 29, giving members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe free access to Colorado’s 43 state parks beginning August 5, 2025.
The bill allows enrolled members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe to enter state parks managed by CPW without paying an entrance fee when they present a current tribal identification card with an intact photo.
Weddings and Special Events
Celebrate Together: State Parks offer lovely backdrops for outdoor family or company gatherings, weddings, receptions, and pictures. 9 Colorado parks offer overlooks, group picnic areas, amphitheaters, or designated scenic areas for your special event.
Upcoming Events
Nov
16
Elk Meadow Hike
Sunday, Nov 16
Mueller State Park
A favorite of many visitors this two mile, moderate trail is a good starting place for people new to the park.
Nov
16
Elk Meadow Hike
Sunday, Nov 16
Mueller State Park
A favorite of many visitors this two mile, moderate trail is a good starting place for people new to the park.
Nov
20
Toddler Story Time
Thursday, Nov 20
Barr Lake State Park
Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack! Each month will feature...
Nov
20
Toddler Story Time
Thursday, Nov 20
Barr Lake State Park
Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack! Each month will feature...
Nov
22
Kids' Fishing Clinic
Saturday, Nov 22
Nov
22
Kids' Fishing Clinic
Saturday, Nov 22
Nov
16
Elk Meadow Hike
Sunday, Nov 16
Mueller State Park
A favorite of many visitors this two mile, moderate trail is a good starting place for people new to the park.
Nov
16
Elk Meadow Hike
Sunday, Nov 16
Mueller State Park
A favorite of many visitors this two mile, moderate trail is a good starting place for people new to the park.
Nov
20
Toddler Story Time
Thursday, Nov 20
Barr Lake State Park
Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack! Each month will feature...
Nov
20
Toddler Story Time
Thursday, Nov 20
Barr Lake State Park
Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack! Each month will feature...
Nov
22
Kids' Fishing Clinic
Saturday, Nov 22
Nov
22
Kids' Fishing Clinic
Saturday, Nov 22
Stay Overnight
Camping
Go camping at one of 30 different Colorado parks.
Cabins
Stay at one of 41 cabins available at 6 Colorado State Parks.
Yurts
Stay at one of 12 yurts available at 6 Colorado State Parks.
Colorado's Ultimate Road Trip
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Passport
Colorado has some amazing places to visit. Now, you can add visiting all state parks and 15 fish hatcheries to your personal bucket list using the CPW Passport.
Visit a state park or hatchery and ask for your free passport, while supplies last.
Staff will stamp your passport in the visitor centers and stamps are sometimes located at the fee collection station(s). Go out and discover as many as you can! Challenge yourself to collect ALL the stamps.
Use #COParksPassport to share your adventures. Log your memories in the CPW Passport while traveling the state.
If you collect all state park stamps, your prize is an all star patch. If you collect all 15 hatcheries, your prize is a mug. Once you've collected all your passport stamps, fill in the required contact information and have a Colorado Parks and Wildlife employee certify/sign page 58 of the passport. Then, email a clear and legible photo of the certified page 58 to [email protected] and your prize will be sent to you.
Park Brochures and Management Plans
Your Full Guide to State Parks
The Guide to State Parks gives you an overview of each of Colorado's State Parks including locations and what activities and amenities are offered.
Download the Brochure
A Quick Guide to State Parks
Hike a mountain. Ride a trail. Toss up a tent. Throw a line in a stream. Raft a rapid. Ski, paddle or sail on blue water. Or just kick back and enjoy the view. There’s something for everyone, of every age, at Colorado’s state parks.
Download the Brochre
Guía De Los Parques Naturales
¡Dondequiera que vaya en Colorado, se encuentra un parque estatal esperándole para darle la bienvenida!
Descargue una versión PDF
Guía Rápida de los Parques Estatales
Escala una montaña. Recorre un sendero. Acampa. Pesca en un arroyo. Desciende rápidos en balsa. Esquía, rema o navega en aguas cristalinas. O simplemente relájate y disfruta del paisaje. En los parques estatales de Colorado hay algo para todos, de todas las edades.
Descargue una versión PDFRequest a Park Brochure
You can download specific park brochures from each park homepage, or you can request a 3-page Quick Guide paper copy be sent to you.
Request a BrochureManaging State Parks
State Park Management Plans serve as an overarching management guide for each park by outlining short- and long-term visitor, recreation, resource, and infrastructure management visions for the park. It charts the management priorities and specific management directions for current and future park staff.
View Park Management Plans
Signup for State Park eNews
CPW publishes weekly newsletters, with each edition focused on topics including Colorado's state parks, fishing, hunting, trails and recreation, and conservation. Choose the topics that are most important to you.
Special Edition
Colorado Outdoors Magazine
2025 September/October Issue — View the contents.
In the issue: Tips for hunting Colorado's fall wild turkey season, first day pheasants, conservation efforts for declining fireflies, the study of Colorado's bobcats, and much more!
Keep Colorado Wild Pass — Opens more than state park gates
Explore every corner of Colorado’s state parks while giving back to search and rescue volunteers when you get a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your vehicle registration. The pass also helps fund state parks and recreation, the Colorado Avalanche Information Center, wildlife conservation and outdoor education opportunities.