Lathrop State Park
State Park in Walsenburg, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center Office and Drive Up Window: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
70 County Road 502
Walsenburg, CO 81089
United States
Lathrop State Park
State Park in Walsenburg, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center Office and Drive Up Window: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
70 County Road 502
Walsenburg, CO 81089
United States
Navigate to:
A boat moving through the water
Welcome to Lathrop State Park
Colorado’s first state park, Lathrop is 1,451 acres of recreational enjoyment nestled in the shadow of the Spanish Peaks in Southern Colorado. The park’s two lakes offer a variety of water recreation, including boating and angling opportunities.
1,451
acres
40
picnic sites
103
campsites
8
miles of trails
Accessing the Park
Directions
From Walsenburg
Take Highway 160 three miles west from Walsenberg. Turn right on County Road 502. Continue one mile to the park entrance.
The Lathrop Visitor Center and Fee Station is located southeast of the park.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Horseshoe Lake Boat Ramp
The Horseshoe Lake boat ramp is located on the north side of the lake.
Martin Lake Boat Ramp
The Martin Lake boat ramp is located on the southwest side of the lake.
Accessible Canoe/Kayak Launch
The ADA-accessible canoe/kayak launch is located on the south side of Horseshoe Reservoir.
Seasonal Closures
There are no closures at this time.
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
At Lathrop State Park, a pinyon-juniper woodland, diverse wetland, shoreline and aquatic plant communities, as well as many migratory birds and several species of raptors, piñon and scrub jays, await the nature enthusiast.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides are available on Lathrop State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Bushtit
- Western wood-pewee
- Great blue heron
- Ruddy duck
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- Muskrat
- Mule deer
- Desert cottontail
- Bobcat
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Prairie rattlesnake
- Eastern collared lizard
- Woodhouse's toad
- Six-lined racerunner
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into iNaturalist, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
Geology at This Park
Lathrop State Park covers 1,594 acres of land and boasts two reservoirs — Horseshoe and Martin — covering 320 acres and fed by the Cucharas River from nearby mountains. The park features the unique Walsen Ridge, a volcanic dike located on the northern boundary and formed by volcanic activity during the Eocene and Oligocene periods.
Geologically, Lathrop is framed by the Spanish Peaks and Sangre De Cristo Mountains. The Spanish Peaks, distinct as "stocks,” which are large masses of igneous (molten) rock, formed in a different way than the uplifted Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Notably, the mountains showcase large dikes — intrusive igneous rock formations — that radiate like wheel spokes. Erosion has revealed walls of hard rock, attracting global geologists who've identified over 400 of these remarkable features.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
Ecologically, Lathrop is dominated by pinyon-juniper woodland and mixed-grassland communities. Short-statured pinyon pine and one-seed juniper dominate the woodland, while blue grama, western wheatgrass, purple threeawn and sand dropseed are common grassland species. Common plants associated with both communities include yucca, cholla cactus, rabbitbrush and four-winged saltbush. Diverse wetland, riparian and aquatic plant communities have become established around the reservoirs and dams. Wetlands associated with waterfowl habitat ponds contribute to important watchable wildlife areas.
Upcoming Events
Nov
28
Fresh Air Friday with Free Park Entrance
Friday, Nov 28
As the Thanksgiving holiday ushers in the bustling shopping season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife extends a unique invitation to...
Nov
28
Fresh Air Friday with Free Park Entrance
Friday, Nov 28
As the Thanksgiving holiday ushers in the bustling shopping season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife extends a unique invitation to...
Nov
28
Fresh Air Friday with Free Park Entrance
Friday, Nov 28
As the Thanksgiving holiday ushers in the bustling shopping season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife extends a unique invitation to...
Nov
28
Fresh Air Friday with Free Park Entrance
Friday, Nov 28
As the Thanksgiving holiday ushers in the bustling shopping season, Colorado Parks and Wildlife extends a unique invitation to...
History
During the late 1600s, Spanish conquistadors entered New Mexico and enslaved many Native Americans. Many were able to escape and fled to southern Colorado. In 1778, a battle was initiated between the Spanish troops and the Comanche. After seven battles, which occurred only 20 miles north of Lathrop State Park, the Comanche were defeated, and the chief of the tribe was killed at the base of Greenhorn Mountain along the Greenhorn creek. Both the mountain and the creek were named after the chief.
Lathrop State Park was introduced as Colorado’s first state park in 1962 and was named after Harold W. Lathrop, who was the first Director of the state parks and recreation board from 1957–1961. The park’s two lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, offer a variety of boating and angling opportunities. Visitors can also take advantage of the fantastic southern Spanish Peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range views while playing a round of golf or hiking along prairie trails.