Man and woman kneel while ice fishing on lake with mountains in distance

Stay Safe on Frozen Waters

Before stepping onto a frozen lake, pond, or river, remember: never assume ice is safe in Colorado. It's especially important to be cautious given the warmer-than-usual temperatures and fluctuating weather so far this year. Taking a few minutes to read critical safety information could save your life.

Man and woman kneel while ice fishing on lake

Man and woman kneel while ice fishing on lake with mountains in distance

Man and woman kneel while ice fishing on lake

Stay Safe on Frozen Waters

Before stepping onto a frozen lake, pond, or river, remember: never assume ice is safe in Colorado. It's especially important to be cautious given the warmer-than-usual temperatures and fluctuating weather so far this year. Taking a few minutes to read critical safety information could save your life.

Rock ridges with trees at Eldorado Canyon State Park. ©Dustin Doskocil

Rock ridges with trees at Eldorado Canyon State Park. ©Dustin Doskocil

Colorado State Parks

With more than 4,600 campsites and 70 cabins and yur​​ts, 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. 

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Find a Park

Use our park finder to find the perfect state park.

Find out more
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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 more

Opportunities for Everyone

 Park visitors fishing from an accessible fishing pier at Staunton State Park.

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.

 Mountain vies at Ridgway State Park

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.

 Fantasy themed weddint at Ridgway State Park. Photo by Storm Cloud Photography,

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

Winter Recreation at Steamboat Lake State Park

Jan

16

Basic Survival for Kids

Friday, Jan 16

Mueller State Park

Kids discover tips and tricks, like Hug A Tree, for how to stay safe while spending time outside.

Winter Recreation at Steamboat Lake State Park

Jan

16

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Basic Survival for Kids

Friday, Jan 16

Mueller State Park

Kids discover tips and tricks, like Hug A Tree, for how to stay safe while spending time outside.

Ice Fishing

Jan

17

CANCELED : Stagecoach Ice Fishing Tournament

Saturday, Jan 17

Stagecoach State Park

The Stagecoach State Park Ice Fishing Tournament has been canceled!

 Due to lack of ice coverage and the continued warm weather...

Ice Fishing

Jan

17

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

CANCELED : Stagecoach Ice Fishing Tournament

Saturday, Jan 17

Stagecoach State Park

The Stagecoach State Park Ice Fishing Tournament has been canceled!

 Due to lack of ice coverage and the continued warm weather...

Jan

17

Birding Hike - Weekend

Saturday, Jan 17

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Tammy and Ira for a birding walk in the park. Learn about birds and other natural wonders at Barr...

Jan

17

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Birding Hike - Weekend

Saturday, Jan 17

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Tammy and Ira for a birding walk in the park. Learn about birds and other natural wonders at Barr...

Winter Recreation at Steamboat Lake State Park

Jan

16

Basic Survival for Kids

Friday, Jan 16

Mueller State Park

Kids discover tips and tricks, like Hug A Tree, for how to stay safe while spending time outside.

Winter Recreation at Steamboat Lake State Park

Jan

16

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Basic Survival for Kids

Friday, Jan 16

Mueller State Park

Kids discover tips and tricks, like Hug A Tree, for how to stay safe while spending time outside.

Ice Fishing

Jan

17

CANCELED : Stagecoach Ice Fishing Tournament

Saturday, Jan 17

Stagecoach State Park

The Stagecoach State Park Ice Fishing Tournament has been canceled!

 Due to lack of ice coverage and the continued warm weather...

Ice Fishing

Jan

17

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

CANCELED : Stagecoach Ice Fishing Tournament

Saturday, Jan 17

Stagecoach State Park

The Stagecoach State Park Ice Fishing Tournament has been canceled!

 Due to lack of ice coverage and the continued warm weather...

Jan

17

Birding Hike - Weekend

Saturday, Jan 17

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Tammy and Ira for a birding walk in the park. Learn about birds and other natural wonders at Barr...

Jan

17

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Birding Hike - Weekend

Saturday, Jan 17

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Tammy and Ira for a birding walk in the park. Learn about birds and other natural wonders at Barr...

Stay Overnight

Tent campsite at Yampa River State Park.

Camping

Go camping at one of 30 different Colorado parks.

Cabin at Vega State Park.

Cabins

Stay at one of 41 cabins available at 6 Colorado State Parks.

A yurt surrounded by trees at State Forest State Park.

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

    Guide to state parks

    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
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    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

    Guía De Los Parques Naturales

    ¡Dondequiera que vaya en Colorado, se encuentra un parque estatal esperándole para darle la bienvenida!

    Descargue una versión PDF
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    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 PDF
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    Request 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 Brochure
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    Managing 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
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    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.

    Colorado Outdoor Magazine Photography Issue

    Special Edition

    Colorado Outdoors Magazine

    2025 Photography Issue — View the contents.

    The 2025 Colorado Outdoors Photo Issue is here and brimming with stunning photos of Colorado's diverse wildlife, landscapes and recreation. Get your copy today!

    Snow better way to explore than with a Keep Colorado Wild Pass

    Buy a $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass with your next vehicle registration to help fund more accurate avalanche forecasts in Colorado, plus you get state park entry. 

    English

    ¿Revisas los pronósticos de avalanchas de Colorado antes de tus aventuras invernales, como lo hace Sierra? Dale las gracias a la ciencia de la nieve por esta información. Ayuda a financiar el Centro de Información de Avalanchas en Colorado cuando compres tu pase de Keep Colorado Wild de $29 con el registro de tu auto.