Highline Lake State Park
State Park in Loma, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
1800 11.8 Road
Loma, CO 81524
United States
Highline Lake State Park
State Park in Loma, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
1800 11.8 Road
Loma, CO 81524
United States
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Lake Closed for Zebra Mussel Treatment -
Highline Lake has been drained, therefore there is no boating and the lake is NOT OPEN to Waterfowl hunting until Fall 2025. The park is planning to refill the lake Spring 2025. The remaining water is open to fishing as a salvage operation. All limits and size restrictions are lifted. A valid fishing license is still required. All limits and size restrictions still apply to Mack Mesa Lake.
A person mountain biking
Park Highlight
Explore Lakeside Trails
Trails and loops circle Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake — wander through a wetland area below the dam rich with wildlife and birds, and traverse through the unimproved north end of the park. Bikers, hikers and walkers have several trails and loops in the park to choose from.
More Fun Around the Lake
After your walk and picnic, stop by the Visitor Center and check out the wildlife displays. There are multiple educational mounts including a beaver, a bobcat and a great horned owl. The skins and skulls table offers curious visitors the opportunity to touch and get a really good look. We also have photos, paintings, and carvings of birds and wildlife seen in the park on the walls.
Picnic by the Lake
Bring a lunch and enjoy a picnic by the lake after you hike or bike the trails. There are 44 family picnic sites with tables and grills throughout the park that are available year-round, and are close to both Mack Mesa and Highline Lake. Some sites are in grassy areas with mature shade trees and others are cabanas near sand, just perfect for building castles!
Watch Wildlife
As you hike around the lakes, make sure to stop by and check out the Watachble Wildlife Kiosks. Wildlife and waterfowl are abundant year-round at Highline Lake, and there are Watchable Wildlife Kiosks at either side of Highline Lake. These accessible shelters contain viewing scopes for those up-close shots!
Trails
Mack Mesa S Trail
0.6 miles
Easily guaranteed to be one of the most fun trails in the, the Mack Mesa S Trail is full of windy downhill turns. Enjoy the views of the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa and even the Bookcliffs in Colorado AND Utah.
Blue Heron Marsh Trail
0.6 miles
This loop offers the best tour of riparian habitat around the lake. The trail is flat except for beginning and end when returning to the top of the dam. Wildlife commonly seen here include mule deer, racoons, red foxes and even bobcats.
Mack Mesa S Trail
0.6 miles
Easily guaranteed to be one of the most fun trails in the, the Mack Mesa S Trail is full of windy downhill turns. Enjoy the views of the Colorado National Monument, Grand Mesa and even the Bookcliffs in Colorado AND Utah.
Blue Heron Marsh Trail
0.6 miles
This loop offers the best tour of riparian habitat around the lake. The trail is flat except for beginning and end when returning to the top of the dam. Wildlife commonly seen here include mule deer, racoons, red foxes and even bobcats.
Greasewood Flats Loop
1.1 miles
Hiking, biking
Enjoy the sage and cedar smells on this easy loop. As one of the farthest trails from the swim beach, birds and other wildlife are easily seen.
Mack Mesa Loop
1.2 miles
Hiking, biking
Looking down from one of the highest points in the park, hikers and bikers can see nearly the entire park. Couple this trail with the Mack Mesa 'S' Trail for a full loop of birdwatching opportunities.
East Bluffs Loop
1.1 miles
Take a tour of Highline's east inlets with this narrow singletrack. This loop provides the only access, other than boat, to the cabanas along the east side of the lake, including a pebble beach. There are some steep sections to this trail, so please use caution.
Greasewood Flats Loop
1.1 miles
Hiking, biking
Enjoy the sage and cedar smells on this easy loop. As one of the farthest trails from the swim beach, birds and other wildlife are easily seen.
Mack Mesa Loop
1.2 miles
Hiking, biking
Looking down from one of the highest points in the park, hikers and bikers can see nearly the entire park. Couple this trail with the Mack Mesa 'S' Trail for a full loop of birdwatching opportunities.
East Bluffs Loop
1.1 miles
Take a tour of Highline's east inlets with this narrow singletrack. This loop provides the only access, other than boat, to the cabanas along the east side of the lake, including a pebble beach. There are some steep sections to this trail, so please use caution.
Highline Lake Trail
3.3 miles
Hiking, biking
This trail features excellent shore bird and mule deer viewing opportunities. Acting as the main trail to hike around the lake, several trails come off of Highline Lake Trail to add length and complexity to your ride or hike.
Engle Loop
Engle Loop adds approximately .9 miles to the 18 Hour Trail, bringing the trail's total length to 6.42 miles.
Highline Lake Trail
3.3 miles
Hiking, biking
This trail features excellent shore bird and mule deer viewing opportunities. Acting as the main trail to hike around the lake, several trails come off of Highline Lake Trail to add length and complexity to your ride or hike.
Engle Loop
Engle Loop adds approximately .9 miles to the 18 Hour Trail, bringing the trail's total length to 6.42 miles.
Featured Trail
18 Hours of Fruita Trail
For a real challenge, ride the world famous 18 Hours of Fruita Trail. This combined trail starts at the Highline Lake Trail and connects to other trails around the lake to create the 18 Hours of Fruita Trail.
Mountain bikers use this trail during the annual 18 Hours of Fruita at Highline endurance race that puts Highline Lake at the center of the mountain-biking world the first weekend of every May. The 18 Hours of Fruita at Highline Lake Trail is over 7 miles per lap!
Know Before You Go
Crossing Paths with Wildlife
Learn more about what to do if you see wildlife on trails.
Stay Safe on TrailsKokopelli Trail System
The trailhead for the world-famous Kokopelli Trail System from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah is just six miles south of Highline Lake State Park, on county roads through rural farmlands.
Find Out MoreFruita Trails
Access to the world-class Bureau of Land Management North Fruita Desert Trail System is mere minutes from Highline Lake State Park.
Find Out More