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Fall in Colorado

Many state parks are located along some of the most scenic drives in Colorado, providing the perfect landscape for a weekend getaway to enjoy Colorado’s fall splendor. Stay overnight and bask in the beautiful fall foliage. Take a few days to relax and reset among the reds and golds, and breathe in some much-needed fresh air.

Find a State Park

Woman holding a State Parks and Hatcheries Passport.

Fall in Colorado

Many state parks are located along some of the most scenic drives in Colorado, providing the perfect landscape for a weekend getaway to enjoy Colorado’s fall splendor. Stay overnight and bask in the beautiful fall foliage. Take a few days to relax and reset among the reds and golds, and breathe in some much-needed fresh air.

Find a State Park
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. 

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

Oct

17

Full Moon Hike - Hunters Moon

Thursday, Oct 17

Barr Lake State Park

Explore Barr Lake at dusk!
View Details

Oct

17

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Full Moon Hike - Hunters Moon

Thursday, Oct 17

Barr Lake State Park

Explore Barr Lake at dusk!
View & Register

Oct

18

Nature Crafts

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Make cool things with help from Mother Nature. Ages 3 and up. Meet at the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
View Details

Oct

18

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Nature Crafts

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Make cool things with help from Mother Nature. Ages 3 and up. Meet at the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
View & Register

Oct

18

Pumpkin Hike at Mueller

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Calling all fall enthusiasts! Want to show off your pumpkin carving skills? Drop off a carved pumpkin at the Visitor Center between 9am-3pm on October 16 and 17 or between 9am-5pm on October 18. Pumpkins will be placed along the trail for visitors to see and vote for their favorite! The winner will receive a prize from the gift shop. There will also be a storyteller to unravel the mysteries surrounding the hunter’s moon and the Mueller disappearance of Sumner Osborn. Learn about glowing animal eyes on a nocturnal animal hike. End by warming up in the Visitor Center with some hot chocolate and candy. Come prepared with a headlamp or flashlight and warm clothes. The storyteller will tell their tales at 6, 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m. Nocturnal animal hikes will begin at 6 and 7 p.m. Snacks and pumpkin viewing will be available the entire time. If the Visitor Center parking lot is full, Outlook Ridge and Preacher’s Hollow are within walking distance. Contact Anna Miller with questions at 719-687-2366 ex 107.
View Details

Oct

18

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Pumpkin Hike at Mueller

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Calling all fall enthusiasts! Want to show off your pumpkin carving skills? Drop off a carved pumpkin at the Visitor Center between 9am-3pm on October 16 and 17 or between 9am-5pm on October 18. Pumpkins will be placed along the trail for visitors to see and vote for their favorite! The winner will receive a prize from the gift shop. There will also be a storyteller to unravel the mysteries surrounding the hunter’s moon and the Mueller disappearance of Sumner Osborn. Learn about glowing animal eyes on a nocturnal animal hike. End by warming up in the Visitor Center with some hot chocolate and candy. Come prepared with a headlamp or flashlight and warm clothes. The storyteller will tell their tales at 6, 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m. Nocturnal animal hikes will begin at 6 and 7 p.m. Snacks and pumpkin viewing will be available the entire time. If the Visitor Center parking lot is full, Outlook Ridge and Preacher’s Hollow are within walking distance. Contact Anna Miller with questions at 719-687-2366 ex 107.
View & Register

Oct

17

Full Moon Hike - Hunters Moon

Thursday, Oct 17

Barr Lake State Park

Explore Barr Lake at dusk!
View Details

Oct

17

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Full Moon Hike - Hunters Moon

Thursday, Oct 17

Barr Lake State Park

Explore Barr Lake at dusk!
View & Register

Oct

18

Nature Crafts

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Make cool things with help from Mother Nature. Ages 3 and up. Meet at the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
View Details

Oct

18

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Nature Crafts

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Make cool things with help from Mother Nature. Ages 3 and up. Meet at the Visitor Center 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
View & Register

Oct

18

Pumpkin Hike at Mueller

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Calling all fall enthusiasts! Want to show off your pumpkin carving skills? Drop off a carved pumpkin at the Visitor Center between 9am-3pm on October 16 and 17 or between 9am-5pm on October 18. Pumpkins will be placed along the trail for visitors to see and vote for their favorite! The winner will receive a prize from the gift shop. There will also be a storyteller to unravel the mysteries surrounding the hunter’s moon and the Mueller disappearance of Sumner Osborn. Learn about glowing animal eyes on a nocturnal animal hike. End by warming up in the Visitor Center with some hot chocolate and candy. Come prepared with a headlamp or flashlight and warm clothes. The storyteller will tell their tales at 6, 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m. Nocturnal animal hikes will begin at 6 and 7 p.m. Snacks and pumpkin viewing will be available the entire time. If the Visitor Center parking lot is full, Outlook Ridge and Preacher’s Hollow are within walking distance. Contact Anna Miller with questions at 719-687-2366 ex 107.
View Details

Oct

18

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Pumpkin Hike at Mueller

Friday, Oct 18

Mueller State Park

Calling all fall enthusiasts! Want to show off your pumpkin carving skills? Drop off a carved pumpkin at the Visitor Center between 9am-3pm on October 16 and 17 or between 9am-5pm on October 18. Pumpkins will be placed along the trail for visitors to see and vote for their favorite! The winner will receive a prize from the gift shop. There will also be a storyteller to unravel the mysteries surrounding the hunter’s moon and the Mueller disappearance of Sumner Osborn. Learn about glowing animal eyes on a nocturnal animal hike. End by warming up in the Visitor Center with some hot chocolate and candy. Come prepared with a headlamp or flashlight and warm clothes. The storyteller will tell their tales at 6, 6:30, 7, and 7:30 p.m. Nocturnal animal hikes will begin at 6 and 7 p.m. Snacks and pumpkin viewing will be available the entire time. If the Visitor Center parking lot is full, Outlook Ridge and Preacher’s Hollow are within walking distance. Contact Anna Miller with questions at 719-687-2366 ex 107.
View & Register

Stay Overnight

Tent campsite at Yampa River State Park.
Camping

Go camping at one of 30 different Colorado parks.

Find a Campsite
Cabin at Vega State Park.
Cabins

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

Find a Cabin
A yurt surrounded by trees at State Forest State Park.
Yurts

Stay at one of 12 yurts available at 6 Colorado State Parks.

Find a Yurt
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.

Park Activities and Amenities
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.

Find a Venue

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.

Find a State Park Find a Hatchery
    1. Get Your Passport

    Visit a state park or hatchery and ask for your free passport.

    2. Collect Stamps While Visiting State Parks and Hatcheries

    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. 

    3. Share Your Adventures

    Use #COParksPassport to share your adventures. Log your memories in the CPW Passport while traveling the state.

    4. Claim Your Prize

    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, Park Guides, Passports, and eNews

    guide to state parks

    Your 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 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
    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
    View Park Management Plans