James M Robb Colorado River State Park
State Park in Clifton, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Main Corn Lake Office: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Weekends/holidays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
361-32 Road
Clifton, CO 81520
United States
James M Robb Colorado River State Park
State Park in Clifton, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Main Corn Lake Office: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Weekends/holidays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
361-32 Road
Clifton, CO 81520
United States
Mesa County Stage 2 Fire Restrictions -
Effective immediately 6-26-26 until further notice: Building, maintaining, attending, or using an open fire, campfire, or open flame outdoors is PROHIBITED, including in developed campgrounds & picnic areas. This includes charcoal grills, BBQs, coal & wood-burning stoves. More Info: Mesa County.
River Sections
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park is divided into five river sections. Each section offers its visitors different experiences, activities and amenities. Boat access to the Colorado River is available at Corn Lake, Connected Lakes and Fruita. Rafting, tubing and canoeing are popular river activities to cool you off on a hot day. Several river outfitters located in the area provide guided rafting trips, lessons and equipment rentals.
Sections Broken Out by River Areas
Colorado River Wildlife Area & Pear Park
The Colorado River Wildlife Area was constructed to replace wetlands lost during the Grand Valley Salinity Control period starting in 1979. Recreation facilities have been kept to a minimum here, but hiking, wildlife observation, and limited fishing access are available.
The Colorado River from the confluence with the Eagle River to the Colorado-Utah border and West and East Lake at the Wildlife Area Section have the designation of “infested” for zebra mussels.
Connected Lakes
The Connected Lakes section is a day-use park that provides visitors with a network of trails that traverse a series of ponds. There are a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including warmwater fishing and accessible fishing piers, sheltered picnicking areas, hiking, paddle sports and birding opportunities.
Corn Lake
Corn Lake serves as headquarters for the park and is only open for day use. The section provides boaters and rafters a launching site for the Colorado River. A .9-mile hardpacked trail follows the lakeshore. The trail provides access to both the Colorado River and Corn Lake for fishing and is used by hikers and bicyclists. The park also offers ADA-accessible picnic sites and restrooms for physically challenged visitors.
Fruita
The Fruita section is open year-round for camping and day-use activities. The Fruita section is the first section of the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park that can be visited by travelers coming in from the West to Colorado from I-70. This section of the park provides visitors with beautiful views of the Book Cliffs area and the Colorado National Monument. Park visitors can enjoy camping facilities, lake fishing, boating and lovely picnic sites.
Red Rocks Lake in the Fruita Section has the designation of “infested” for zebra mussels.
Island Acres
Island Acres is open year-round for camping and day-use activities. The section offers a convenient and attractive place to fish, camp, picnic and/or hike along the Colorado River, or near any of the lakes in the park for visitors and residents alike. Island Acres gets its name from the island that was left in the middle of the river as a result of river flow and other erosional forces.
Colorado Water is Cold Water
Colorado waters are classified as "cold water" (anything under 70 degrees) for most of the year. Swimming in cold water risks cold water shock, which can lead to drowning even for strong, experienced swimmers. An unexpected fall into cold water can cause an involuntary gasp reflex (which can cause you to breathe in water). Cold water shock can also cause rapid heart rate and hyperventilation (excessive breathing). If you experience cold water shock, quickly regain control of your breathing and get into the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) by crossing your arms across your chest and pulling your knees up to your chest, as if hugging yourself, to retain body heat.
Deadly Combos
Alcohol and Water
Alcohol use is the leading factor in recreational boating deaths. The intense sunlight and heat you experience when boating can amplify the effects of beer, wine and hard liquor. Your balance, vision, alertness, reaction time and coordination can change more intensely than you’re used to. One drink on the water is equivalent to three drinks on land.
Alcohol can also increase the dangers of cold water immersion.
Wind and Water
Weather can change very quickly in Colorado. Most summer storms arise in the afternoon, and they can come in fast and furiously, generally from the west.
Be mindful of the clouds and wind. Don't wait until the weather is on top of you before seeking safety. Wind is the main cause of paddlers falling in the water. Once in the water, the wind can blow your craft away from you, and if the waves become intense, it becomes difficult to swim.
Remember that after you get out of the water, wind chill can cause you to lose heat very quickly.
Life Jackets and Water
The majority of water-related fatalities happen when people are swimming in cold water or paddleboarding or kayaking while not wearing a life jacket. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket at all times while on board any paddleboard, boat or kayak.
Weight and Water
Don't go over the maximum capacity or weight on boats, kayaks or stand up paddleboards. They can capsize or sink. Remember that coolers can change the total weight and weight distribution on your vessel.
Water Levels
Heavy rain and high wind can raise water levels quickly and without notice. Late May and early June are typically when the amount of melted snow that flows down the mountains and into rivers and streams is highest, causing water levels to rise for a few weeks.
Even without heavy rain, rivers and streams can have "drop offs," spots with sudden changes in depth, which can catch swimmers off guard.
Strong Currents
Prepare carefully, especially during high flows. Know the conditions, bring friends and have the right equipment. If using a paddleboard, remember that not all boards are made for strong currents. Unlike flatwater paddleboards, river paddleboards have a curved-up design for riding currents and rapids. To prevent drowning, river boards have built-in safety leashes that “break away” if the board or the swimmer get stuck on an object. Flatwater boards do have leashes, but they do not break away.
River Hazards
Know and be aware of river “hazards” – both natural and man-made: holes, wrap rocks, undercuts, rock sieves, horizon lines across the river, low head dams as well as significant rapids and “strainers” (trees in the river).
Aquatic Nuisance Species in the CO River & Red Rocks Lake
The Colorado River from the confluence with the Eagle River to the Colorado-Utah border and West and East Lake at the Wildlife Area Section have the designation of “infested” for zebra mussels. Red Rocks Lake in the Fruita Section also has the designation of “infested” for zebra mussels. Please be aware and help stop the spread!
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections, but users are strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders and fishing equipment, making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.
Self-Cleaning Stations
To assist in keeping your exempt vessels and fishing gear clean, drained and dry, the park offers two self-decontamination stations - one at the Fruita section and a basic one at the Corn Lake river section.
For more information, email the park at [email protected] or call the specific park section - Fruita, 970-858-9188, Corn Lake, 970-434-3388, or Island Acres, 970-464-0548.
Zebra or Quagga Mussels
Zebra, quagga and golden mussels are considered the most serious threat to Colorado’s waters. They attach themselves in large, densely packed groups to water storage, treatment and distribution systems, causing clogs and other disruptions. This causes devastating problems for municipal, agricultural and industrial infrastructure.
Stop the Spread of MusselsClean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
River Outfitters
River rafting is an exciting outdoor adventure for people of all experience levels. Find out how to book a guide or become a guide.
Visitors Seeking a River Guide
Many people use a river outfitter to enjoy a scenic float or exhilarating whitewater rafting adventure. Look up a river rafting or fishing outfitter, photographer or shuttle service in the Outfitter List.
River Outfitter List River Outfitters Wanting to Guide
All river outfitters operating in Colorado are required to first obtain a river outfitter license from Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Visit the River Outfitter Licensing Page to learn more.
River Outfitter LicensingRiver Etiquette
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Avoid Private Land
The river passes through areas of private property. Don’t trespass! Please respect the river’s neighbors. Pay attention to the private/ public signing system implemented for the river users’ benefit to indicate where private properties are located. Bring a map.
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Trash? Bring it out with you.
Did someone else leave it? Why not bring it out too?
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Pack Out Your Waste
Visitors on overnight float trips are encouraged to carry all waste out of the river corridor.
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Firepan Required
Use a firepan to confine ashes and charcoal and keep the ground clean. Use only fallen deadwood or driftwood for campfires. A firepan is required.
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Wash Dishes Away from Camp
Strain wash water and pack out strainer garbage. Always use biodegradable soap.
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Keep Noise Down
Please keep noise to a respectable level for wildlife, nearby homeowners and others enjoying the river.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the Brochure Land and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure Boating Regulations Handbook
Boaters, please follow all Colorado's boating statutes and regulations.
Download the Brochure