Lone Mesa State Park
State Park in Mancos, CO
Hours:
Visitor Center: There are no regular off-season (October to mid-May) hours. Call ahead before planning to visit the Visitor Center.
Entrance Fees:
Hunting Access By Permit
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
42545 Road N
Mancos, CO 81328
United States
Lone Mesa State Park
State Park in Mancos, CO
Hours:
Visitor Center: There are no regular off-season (October to mid-May) hours. Call ahead before planning to visit the Visitor Center.
Entrance Fees:
Hunting Access By Permit
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
42545 Road N
Mancos, CO 81328
United States
Navigate to:
The green landscape with trees, meadows, and ponds at Lone Mesa
Park Highlight
Hunting at Lone Mesa
Elk, deer and black bear hunting is permitted on Lone Mesa by a limited number of special use permits. Lone Mesa hunting access permits are issued by an annual draw held in June of each year. Hunters must also possess a valid hunting license.
The park can now be accessed for spring turkey hunting season with a valid over-the-counter (OTC) license and as conditions allow. Please contact the Dolores Ranger District at 970-882-7296 to check on the status of Forest Service road closures. No permit is necessary for spring OTC turkey hunting.
Available Big Game Permits for 2025
Hunt Type |
Available Permits |
Season |
Fee Due |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Archery |
Up to 20 |
September 2–30 |
August 2 |
|
Muzzleloader |
Up to 12 |
September 13–21 |
August 13 |
|
1st Rifle |
Up to 15 |
October 15–19 |
September 15 |
|
2nd Rifle |
Up to 25 |
October 25–November 2 |
September 25 |
|
3rd Rifle |
Up to 25 |
November 8–16 |
October 8 |
|
4th Rifle |
Up to 25 |
November 19–23 |
October 19 |
|
Tribal |
10% of the total available permits will be offered to the combined Tribes and Bands and their members who are provided access to historic area hunting grounds under the Brunot Agreement of 1873. |
Apply for a Big Game Permit
How to Apply
A Google application form will be available May 27, 2025 at 9 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, 2025. This corresponds to the big game hunting results. There is no advantage to when you apply during this time period.
2025 Youth Permit Application Process Change: Youth are now able to apply for a permit without having a current limited license from the primary draw due to youth ages 12-17 years old receiving priority in the secondary draw. A limited license or valid over-the-counter (OTC) big game license for 2nd and 3rd rifle season is still needed to hunt, but just not for the application for a permit.
We are unable to wait for all adult applicants for the secondary draw because the hunting regulation for Lone Mesa State Park states that the draw must occur 60 days prior to the beginning of the first big game hunting season. Historically a large number of adults applied for permits that did not have valid licenses, which resulted in time-consuming delays in notification to successful hunters. If you need assistance with the permit application form, please call Mancos State Park at 970-533-7065.
Selected hunters for the permit must also possess a valid hunting license for game management unit 711.
Annual Draw
Lone Mesa big game hunting access permits will be issued by an annual draw, which will be held June 27, 2025 at 5 p.m. at Mancos State Park.
Lone Mesa State Park sits in game management unit (GMU) 711 (PDF). During this draw, applicants are given their draw order number. Successful applicants will be notified later if they are selected as a permitted hunter. Tribal permits unissued prior to the June annual draw will be added back to the general allocation.
Successful Applicants
After the draw, all successful hunters will be notified by email and will need to pay the permit fee no later than 30 days prior to the first day of the hunt. For details on hunt fees refer to section b.5 in the hunter protocol (PDF).
The email to successful hunters will contain all information needed to hunt including directions, an online orientation, instructions on how to pay the fee, and a link to an orientation quiz. When all required information is obtained by staff, permits will be emailed to successful hunters. Successful applicants are allowed to bring one non-hunting companion with them into Lone Mesa State Park. No camping is allowed at Lone Mesa State Park but there is dispersed forest service camping in the area.
Unsuccessful Applicants
Unsuccessful hunters are put on a waiting list in the order of their draw number. When cancellations occur, the next hunter on the list will be notified to see if they are interested in a hunting opportunity at Lone Mesa State Park.
Know Before You Go
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times and their waste is properly disposed of. They are not allowed to engage in hunting.
Off-highway Vehicles
Hunters accessing the park with a permit may use off-highway vehicles (aka ATVs, four-wheelers, etc.). Off-highway vehicles are restricted to established motor vehicle routes and must be currently registered.
Horseback Riding
Hunters accessing Lone Mesa with a permit may use horses. No overnight facilities are currently available on the park, but staff can assist with finding good horse camping on Forest Service Lands just off-park. All hay brought into the park is required to be certified weed free.
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