State Forest State Park snowy mountains in distance, forest and wooden fence foreground

At Home in Nature - The History of Colorado's State Parks

The story of how Colorado's state parks came to be, featuring breathtaking photography and the voices of the staff and stewards of these magnificent public lands. The book delves into the rich history of Colorado's state parks, from their inception to the present day, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the state's natural and cultural heritage.

State Forest State Park snowy mountains in distance, forest and wooden fence foreground

State Forest State Park snowy mountains in distance, forest and wooden fence foreground

State Forest State Park snowy mountains in distance, forest and wooden fence foreground

At Home in Nature - The History of Colorado's State Parks

The story of how Colorado's state parks came to be, featuring breathtaking photography and the voices of the staff and stewards of these magnificent public lands. The book delves into the rich history of Colorado's state parks, from their inception to the present day, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the state's natural and cultural heritage.

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 4,000 campsites and 58 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. 

Colorado Outdoor Magazine Annual Fishing Guide - cover image

Special Edition

Colorado Outdoors Magazine's Annual Fishing Guide

The Colorado Outdoors Fishing Guide is a special annual edition of Colorado Outdoors magazine. View the contents.

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
purchase pass

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

Upcoming Events

Two young kids bending down near a pond.

Aug

9

Nature Detective - Insects and their habitats

Saturday, Aug 9

Ridgway State Park

Calling all young adventurers! Become a "Nature Detective" and uncover the fascinating world of insects and their habitats – a...

Two young kids bending down near a pond.

Aug

9

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Nature Detective - Insects and their habitats

Saturday, Aug 9

Ridgway State Park

Calling all young adventurers! Become a "Nature Detective" and uncover the fascinating world of insects and their habitats – a...

Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Aug

9

Nature Walk: Intro to Birding

Saturday, Aug 9

Jackson Lake State Park

Join our Ranger on a morning walk to see if you can spot some of the birds that frequent Jackson Jackson Lake. 

Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Aug

9

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Nature Walk: Intro to Birding

Saturday, Aug 9

Jackson Lake State Park

Join our Ranger on a morning walk to see if you can spot some of the birds that frequent Jackson Jackson Lake. 

An old partially breaking down wood cabin. It is on the edge of an open field and has a sign on the front that says danger keep out.

Aug

9

Hike to Cahill Cabin

Saturday, Aug 9

Mueller State Park

Hike to remnants of the Cahill cabin and a bootlegging whiskey still. Learn about some park history and nature on this 5 mile...

An old partially breaking down wood cabin. It is on the edge of an open field and has a sign on the front that says danger keep out.

Aug

9

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Hike to Cahill Cabin

Saturday, Aug 9

Mueller State Park

Hike to remnants of the Cahill cabin and a bootlegging whiskey still. Learn about some park history and nature on this 5 mile...

Two young kids bending down near a pond.

Aug

9

Nature Detective - Insects and their habitats

Saturday, Aug 9

Ridgway State Park

Calling all young adventurers! Become a "Nature Detective" and uncover the fascinating world of insects and their habitats – a...

Two young kids bending down near a pond.

Aug

9

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Nature Detective - Insects and their habitats

Saturday, Aug 9

Ridgway State Park

Calling all young adventurers! Become a "Nature Detective" and uncover the fascinating world of insects and their habitats – a...

Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Aug

9

Nature Walk: Intro to Birding

Saturday, Aug 9

Jackson Lake State Park

Join our Ranger on a morning walk to see if you can spot some of the birds that frequent Jackson Jackson Lake. 

Killdeer taken at Cherry Creek State Park

Aug

9

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Nature Walk: Intro to Birding

Saturday, Aug 9

Jackson Lake State Park

Join our Ranger on a morning walk to see if you can spot some of the birds that frequent Jackson Jackson Lake. 

An old partially breaking down wood cabin. It is on the edge of an open field and has a sign on the front that says danger keep out.

Aug

9

Hike to Cahill Cabin

Saturday, Aug 9

Mueller State Park

Hike to remnants of the Cahill cabin and a bootlegging whiskey still. Learn about some park history and nature on this 5 mile...

An old partially breaking down wood cabin. It is on the edge of an open field and has a sign on the front that says danger keep out.

Aug

9

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Hike to Cahill Cabin

Saturday, Aug 9

Mueller State Park

Hike to remnants of the Cahill cabin and a bootlegging whiskey still. Learn about some park history and nature on this 5 mile...

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.

Two people in wheelchairs fishing from an accessible fishing pier.

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.

Scenic view of 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.

The Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe have deep cultural, spiritual, ancestral, and historical ties to the majority of the land within Colorado, including much of the land that is now designated as state parks. They have served as stewards of these lands and the cultural and natural resources provided by them since time immemorial. 

The state has long recognized the unique political status of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, their special governmental relationship with the state, and the importance of establishing and maintaining a cooperative relationship with the Tribes and the Ute people.

Bride touching groom's cheek with a hand as they stand in a green meadow at Ridgway State Park. ©Steven Morris.

Colorado State Parks

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.

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.

    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.​

    A woman holding out a State Parks and Hatcheries Passport.

    Park Brochures and eNews

    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
    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
    park brochure

    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
    sign up for email newsletter

    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.

    Sign Up
    A Quick Guide to Colorado’s State Parks brochure cover

    DISCOVER, EXPLORE AND ENJOY

    A Quick Guide to Colorado’s 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.

    Scattered across the state, from prairies to peaks and suburbs to forests, the parks beckon with outdoor fun year-round. Most have options for overnights. And they’re especially family- and kid-friendly.

    So come discover Colorado’s state parks. They’re waiting for you!

    State Forest State Park.

    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. State Park Management Plans: 

    • Guide management of existing natural and cultural resources
    • Provide a framework for monitoring and maintaining state park resources
    • Identify park enhancement opportunities, including possible facility upgrades, new park facilities, restoration and rehabilitation projects, and other important management initiatives, and

    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.

    English

    Al obtener un Pase Keep Colorado Wild de $29 con el registro de tu vehículo, tendrás acceso a todos los parques estatales de Colorado durante todo el año. Además, tu compra contribuye a apoyar a los voluntarios de búsqueda y rescate, programas de educación al aire libre, el Centro de Información sobre Avalanchas de Colorado, la conservación de la vida silvestre y mucho más.