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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.

Purchase your copy!

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.

Purchase your copy!
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. 

map destination

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

Mar

27

Toddler Story Time

Thursday, Mar 27

Barr Lake State Park

Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack!
View Details

Mar

27

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Toddler Story Time

Thursday, Mar 27

Barr Lake State Park

Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack!
View & Register
Ice Fishing

Mar

29

Ice Fishing 101 - CANCELED

Saturday, Mar 29

Staunton State Park

<strong>This event has been cancelled due to warmer temperatures making the ice unsafe. Participants who have registered will be notified.</strong> Ever wanted to give ice fishing a try but didn't know where to start? Are you new to ice fishing and looking for some tips to help you catch more fish? &nbsp;Then, this is the class for you!
View Details
Ice Fishing

Mar

29

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Ice Fishing 101 - CANCELED

Saturday, Mar 29

Staunton State Park

<strong>This event has been cancelled due to warmer temperatures making the ice unsafe. Participants who have registered will be notified.</strong> Ever wanted to give ice fishing a try but didn't know where to start? Are you new to ice fishing and looking for some tips to help you catch more fish? &nbsp;Then, this is the class for you!
View & Register

Mar

29

Dark Sky Park

Saturday, Mar 29

Mueller State Park

Did you know that Mueller is applying to become a Dark Sky Park through DarkSky International? This is a long process. Find out why keeping our skies dark at night is so important to us and the natural world, making it a worthwhile goal. Meet at the Visitor Center.
View Details

Mar

29

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Dark Sky Park

Saturday, Mar 29

Mueller State Park

Did you know that Mueller is applying to become a Dark Sky Park through DarkSky International? This is a long process. Find out why keeping our skies dark at night is so important to us and the natural world, making it a worthwhile goal. Meet at the Visitor Center.
View & Register

Mar

27

Toddler Story Time

Thursday, Mar 27

Barr Lake State Park

Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack!
View Details

Mar

27

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Toddler Story Time

Thursday, Mar 27

Barr Lake State Park

Join us at Barr Lake's Nature Center for a story time program, including a craft, activity, and a snack!
View & Register
Ice Fishing

Mar

29

Ice Fishing 101 - CANCELED

Saturday, Mar 29

Staunton State Park

<strong>This event has been cancelled due to warmer temperatures making the ice unsafe. Participants who have registered will be notified.</strong> Ever wanted to give ice fishing a try but didn't know where to start? Are you new to ice fishing and looking for some tips to help you catch more fish? &nbsp;Then, this is the class for you!
View Details
Ice Fishing

Mar

29

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Ice Fishing 101 - CANCELED

Saturday, Mar 29

Staunton State Park

<strong>This event has been cancelled due to warmer temperatures making the ice unsafe. Participants who have registered will be notified.</strong> Ever wanted to give ice fishing a try but didn't know where to start? Are you new to ice fishing and looking for some tips to help you catch more fish? &nbsp;Then, this is the class for you!
View & Register

Mar

29

Dark Sky Park

Saturday, Mar 29

Mueller State Park

Did you know that Mueller is applying to become a Dark Sky Park through DarkSky International? This is a long process. Find out why keeping our skies dark at night is so important to us and the natural world, making it a worthwhile goal. Meet at the Visitor Center.
View Details

Mar

29

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Dark Sky Park

Saturday, Mar 29

Mueller State Park

Did you know that Mueller is applying to become a Dark Sky Park through DarkSky International? This is a long process. Find out why keeping our skies dark at night is so important to us and the natural world, making it a worthwhile goal. Meet at the Visitor Center.
View & Register

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.

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.​

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    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!

    Plan your next visit with the Quick Guide!
    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