Eleven Mile State Park
State Park in Lake George, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday - Tuesday. Closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Seasonal Closures
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
4229 County Road 92
Lake George, CO 80827
United States
Eleven Mile State Park
State Park in Lake George, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Friday - Tuesday. Closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Seasonal Closures
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
4229 County Road 92
Lake George, CO 80827
United States
Trees on rocky terrain leading to water's edge
Welcome to Eleven Mile State Park
Eleven Mile’s large reservoir is famous among anglers for its outstanding fishing. When not reeling in a trophy rainbow, brown, cutthroat, kokanee or pike, visitors can explore nearly five miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. Note: bikes are not allowed on the Black Bear Trail.
7,662
acres
258
species of birds
326
campsites
3,405
reservoir surface acres
Accessing the Park
From Colorado Springs
Drive 38 miles west of Colorado Springs on US 24 to one mile west of the town of Lake George, then turn left (south) on County Road 90 and drive for six miles to County Road 92. Continue south on 92 for five miles to the park.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Colorado residents 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Nature and Wildlife
This mountain park and reservoir offer opportunities to observe the wildlife, wildflowers and geology of a plains environment situated on a mountain slope, known as a montane ecosystem.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all 258 bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Horned Lark
- American Peregrine Falcon
- White Pelican
- Bald Eagle
Upcoming Events
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History
The cultural history of Eleven Mile State Park likely began about 12,000 years ago. Archaeological evidence recovered from surveys in parts of the park indicates that the Folsom, Plano, Archaic and Woodland prehistoric cultures were all present. The earliest year-round inhabitants of the area were the Ute tribes, who found an abundance of wildlife here. The intrusion of the Spanish and French explorers in the 1500s caused the Ute to leave the area temporarily, resettling here during the late 1600s after the first quest for gold was ended.
- 1806: President Thomas Jefferson sends Lieutenant Zebulon Pike with 21 men to explore the South Park Area.
- 1859: The first mining era begins with the rediscovery of gold in the northern and western portions of South Park, and the Ute are once again forced to leave their favorite hunting grounds.
- 1861–1870: Nearly 11,000 miners converge on South Park and establish permanent settlements. Several towns sprout in the Eleven Mile Canyon area. The influx of people leads to the establishment of many trails and wagon roads, which provide a logical route for the railroads to follow.
- 1887: Population growth makes it profitable to open the Colorado Midland Railroad, the first broad-gauge line into the Colorado Rockies. The railroad transports wealthy visitors from Colorado Springs to what is now Eleven Mile Reservoir so that they can enjoy the numerous wildflowers that grow along the banks of the South Platte River.
- 1930–1932: The Eleven Mile Canyon Dam is completed and heralded as an “engineering triumph.” The dam creates the largest artificial body of water in Colorado at the time. The Denver Water Department currently owns the dam, the water and most of the land that surrounds the reservoir. Eleven Mile is one of seven reservoirs that provide drinking water for Denver. Because of the obvious need to protect against pollution, strict regulations prohibiting certain recreational activities are in effect.
- 1960: The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation assumes management of the area under a lease agreement with the Denver Water Board.
Today, the waters of Eleven Mile Reservoir cover the ranches and towns that once prospered long ago. The water line cut some ranches in half while others were totally submerged. Surrounding mountains and campgrounds in Eleven Mile State Park have been named after a few of the ranchers whose lands now lie underwater.