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 State Park Issue - cover image

Special Edition

Colorado Outdoors Magazine's Annual State Park Issue

The 2025 Colorado state parks issue is full of ideas for recreating in our beautiful state. Read about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass, the Dark Sky Movement, Colorado's moths and butterflies, and much more. 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. 

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

bird watching survey

Apr

2

Guided Bird Walk at Barr Lake State Park

Wednesday, Apr 2

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Candice and Tim for a walk in the park! This walk is to introduce park visitors and birders at all levels to the park's birds and everything else in the park. There are over 370 species of birds at Barr Lake.
bird watching survey

Apr

2

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Guided Bird Walk at Barr Lake State Park

Wednesday, Apr 2

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Candice and Tim for a walk in the park! This walk is to introduce park visitors and birders at all levels to the park's birds and everything else in the park. There are over 370 species of birds at Barr Lake.

Apr

3

Astronomy Night Hikes (3 Mile)

Thursday, Apr 3

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Come join us for an adventurous night hike! This month the moon will be in its 1st Quarter (Half Full).

Apr

3

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Astronomy Night Hikes (3 Mile)

Thursday, Apr 3

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Come join us for an adventurous night hike! This month the moon will be in its 1st Quarter (Half Full).

Apr

3

Astronomy Night Hikes (1 Mile)

Thursday, Apr 3

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Come join us for an adventurous night hike! This month the moon will be in its 1st Quarter (Half Full).

Apr

3

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Astronomy Night Hikes (1 Mile)

Thursday, Apr 3

Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Come join us for an adventurous night hike! This month the moon will be in its 1st Quarter (Half Full).
bird watching survey

Apr

2

Guided Bird Walk at Barr Lake State Park

Wednesday, Apr 2

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Candice and Tim for a walk in the park! This walk is to introduce park visitors and birders at all levels to the park's birds and everything else in the park. There are over 370 species of birds at Barr Lake.
bird watching survey

Apr

2

Registration Required:

Event participants must register

Guided Bird Walk at Barr Lake State Park

Wednesday, Apr 2

Barr Lake State Park

Join volunteer naturalists Candice and Tim for a walk in the park! This walk is to introduce park visitors and birders at all levels to the park's birds and everything else in the park. There are over 370 species of birds at Barr Lake.

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.

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.

cpw-passport-delliveneri-8.jpg

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