Navajo State Park
State Park in Arboles, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mar.- Nov.; Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec.-Feb.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
1526 County Rd 982
Arboles, CO 81121
United States
Navajo State Park
State Park in Arboles, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mar.- Nov.; Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec.-Feb.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
1526 County Rd 982
Arboles, CO 81121
United States
Navigate to:
A motorboat glides over water lit orange from the sunset
Activities and Trails
What to Do at Navajo
Called Colorado’s Lake Powell, Navajo Reservoir extends 20 miles south into New Mexico and is a recreation paradise. Its 15,000 surface acres of water and 150 miles of shoreline provide nearly endless boating and fishing opportunities.
Activities
- Biking
- Boating
- Cross-country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Jet Skiing
- Picnicking
- Sailing
- Swimming
- Water Skiing
- Whitewater Rafting
- Wildlife Viewing
Best of Navajo
Navajo Reservoir
The park’s finest attraction is the 35-mile-long Navajo Reservoir, which begins in Colorado and ends in New Mexico. Visitors can boat, fish, jet ski, sail and water ski on the reservoir's 15,000 surface acres.
History
The area was once home to countless Ancestral Puebloan and later farming and ranching communities. Follow in historic footsteps; walk along the former railroad tracks and see abandoned railroad buildings, or even follow the 1776 Dominguez-Escalante Expedition.
Stargazing
At Navajo, light pollution is almost nonexistent under the thick smattering of stars. It’s just you and the constellations; sit back and enjoy the serenity. If you stare long enough, you might even catch a glimpse of a shooting star.
Hunting
In some areas of the park, deer, elk and bird hunting are permitted during at least part of the established seasons. Check with the park office for information on seasons and regulations. A valid park pass is required.
Upcoming Events
No Results.
There are no results to display at this time.
No Results.
There are no results to display at this time.
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
Trails
There are currently seven trails within Navajo State Park, most of which are connected. Horseback riding is permitted, but only along the Navajo State Park day-use areas off County Road 500. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife's Colorado Trail Explorer app for more information.
Closures
There are no closures at this time.
Nature Trail
1/4 mile, non-paved
Hiking only
The lake view nature trail begins in front of the Visitor Center. Go down the slight incline between the wood rails and turn to the left. This trail has an interpretive sign for the 1776 Dominguez-Escalante Expedition.
Rosa Trail
2/3 mile, non-paved
This trail begins in front of the Visitor Center. Go down the same incline as the Nature Trail but turn right instead of left. This trail winds around the Rosa Campground, overlooks the marina and ends at the road leading to the boat ramp.
Windsurf Beach Trail
1 1/2 miles, gravel
Beginning near the main entrance to the park, this gravel trail runs along the road for a short distance and then heads for Windsurf Beach Campground. It follows the old railroad grease, overlooks the lake, skirts the old railroad water tank and section house shed, and drops through the trees as it approaches the campground.
Piedra Trail South
1 mile, gravel
One completed section of the Piedra Trail begins just north of Windsurf Beach Campground main parking area and winds uphill to some beautiful view of the rivers that flow together to form Navajo Lake.
Piedra Trail North
1 1/2 miles
The other completed section begins at the Watchable Wildlife pavilion off Hwy 151 and winds south along the Piedra River until it nearly meets up with the southern part of the trail.
Piedra River Trail
¾ mile
This trail starts from the Watchable Wildlife area off Hwy 151 and heads east across the Piedra River towards Arboles Point Campground. This easy trail wanders through woodland, desert scrub, and marsh with great opportunities to look for wildlife and their signs.
Sambrito Wetlands Trail
⅔ mile, gravel
Turn left on Hwy 151 and travel almost 5 miles. As you are about to enter the town of Allison, turn left onto County Road 988. Go to the end of the road and park in the lot provided. A vault toilet and pavilion are provided. This trail begins at the pavilion and makes a loop, the far end of which overlooks Navajo Lake in the distance.
Nature Trail
1/4 mile, non-paved
Hiking only
The lake view nature trail begins in front of the Visitor Center. Go down the slight incline between the wood rails and turn to the left. This trail has an interpretive sign for the 1776 Dominguez-Escalante Expedition.
Rosa Trail
2/3 mile, non-paved
This trail begins in front of the Visitor Center. Go down the same incline as the Nature Trail but turn right instead of left. This trail winds around the Rosa Campground, overlooks the marina and ends at the road leading to the boat ramp.
Windsurf Beach Trail
1 1/2 miles, gravel
Beginning near the main entrance to the park, this gravel trail runs along the road for a short distance and then heads for Windsurf Beach Campground. It follows the old railroad grease, overlooks the lake, skirts the old railroad water tank and section house shed, and drops through the trees as it approaches the campground.
Piedra Trail South
1 mile, gravel
One completed section of the Piedra Trail begins just north of Windsurf Beach Campground main parking area and winds uphill to some beautiful view of the rivers that flow together to form Navajo Lake.
Piedra Trail North
1 1/2 miles
The other completed section begins at the Watchable Wildlife pavilion off Hwy 151 and winds south along the Piedra River until it nearly meets up with the southern part of the trail.
Piedra River Trail
¾ mile
This trail starts from the Watchable Wildlife area off Hwy 151 and heads east across the Piedra River towards Arboles Point Campground. This easy trail wanders through woodland, desert scrub, and marsh with great opportunities to look for wildlife and their signs.
Sambrito Wetlands Trail
⅔ mile, gravel
Turn left on Hwy 151 and travel almost 5 miles. As you are about to enter the town of Allison, turn left onto County Road 988. Go to the end of the road and park in the lot provided. A vault toilet and pavilion are provided. This trail begins at the pavilion and makes a loop, the far end of which overlooks Navajo Lake in the distance.
Safety during Hunting Season
Most of Colorado's outdoors is multi-use and intended to be shared. Hunters and nonhunters should show respect and courtesy to all users engaged in outdoor recreation.
- Learn where and when hunting is taking place. Stay out of designated hunt areas.
- Stay on designated trails. Enjoying activities only on designated trails will reduce the likelihood of entering designated hunt areas.
- Make yourself easily visible by wearing bright clothing. Choose colors that stand out, like bright, fluorescent red, orange or green.
- For protection, it is recommended to keep your dog on a leash. Tie a brightly-colored bandana around your dog’s neck or purchase a blaze orange dog vest to make your dog more visible.
- Make noise. Alert hunters to your presence by whistling, singing or carrying on a conversation as you walk.
- If you hear shooting, raise your voice and let hunters know you are in the vicinity.
- Be courteous. Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise that disturbs wildlife. Avoid conflict. Please note it is illegal to intentionally interfere with hunters.
Swimming
Swimming in the lake is allowed, but only in New Mexico. Swimming is currently not allowed on the Colorado side of the lake because there is no swim beach.
- No swimming in Marina Cove, Mooring Field, Mooring Cove or within 150 feet of the breakwaters.
- No swimming from sunset to sunrise.
- Children under 13 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
It is recommended to wear a life jacket and shoes when in the water.
Wildlife Viewing
Two areas of Navajo State Park offer visitors the opportunity to view a large variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, fox, beavers, muskrats, prairie dogs, river otters, jackrabbits, raccoons and many species of birds. Environmental educational programs are offered at both of the sites during the summer months. See Navajo Nature and Wildlife.
For statewide and watching wildlife safely information, see the Nature and Wildlife Viewing page.
Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area
The Navajo State Park watchable wildlife viewing area is an outstanding location to observe wildlife. This area is located next to the narrow gauge railroad bridge that spans the Piedra River near State Highway 151.
Sambrito Wetlands Area
The Sambrito Wetlands area of the park is another beautiful place to view wildlife as it contains ponds, marshes and a wonderful view of the lake. This area is located two miles south of State Highway 151 on Archuleta County Road 988.