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. March through November; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. December through February

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

Contact:

970-883-2208

[email protected]

The expanse of the reservoir with boats, and mountains in the background.

Navajo State Park

State Park in Arboles, CO

The expanse of the reservoir with boats, and mountains in the background.

Hours:

Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 
Office: Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March through November; Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. December through February

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

Contact:

970-883-2208

[email protected]

Navigate to:

Fishing in the shallows

Fishing in the shallows

Park Highlight

Explore Navajo Reservoir

The park’s finest attraction is the 35-mile-long Navajo Reservoir that begins in Colorado and ends in New Mexico. The reservoir’s 15,000 surface acres, including 3,000 surface acres on the Colorado side, offer a challenge to the angler and unlimited pleasure to the boater. Since two-thirds of the reservoir is located in New Mexico, please review New Mexico’s regulations online before entering New Mexico waters.

Reservoir Facilities

Facilities

    Navajo State Park's boat ramp is one of the longest in the state: It extends 110 feet down to the river channel. 

    Boat Inspections - Launching is permitted only after an inspection of aquatic nuisance species (ANS). See hours and more information below under the Mandatory Boat Inspections section. 

    Navajo State Park has its own full-service marina. The Two Rivers Marina is located just south of where the Piedra and San Juan rivers meet. Two Rivers Marina sells fuel, ice, tackle, boating supplies, snacks and accessories; has boat slips and mooring buoys; and has rental pontoon boats. The marina has more than three acres of dry storage for boats or RVs. Call the Marina at 970-883-2628 for information, prices and reservations.

    Boat Rentals

    • 4 standup paddle boards
    • 18, 20 or 22 foot pontoon boats
    • 30-foot party hut with slide
    • 20-foot party barge
    • Boat slips
    • Dry storage
    • Mooring balls

    Boating and Fishing

      Boating

      Navajo Reservoir’s 15,000 surface acres of water and 150 miles of shoreline are a haven to all types of boaters: those with power boats, personal w​atercraft, sailboats and sailboards. 

      Boat Inspections

      Out-of-state boats may launch with a valid registration from any state, however, all boats launching from Colorado require an aquatic nuisance species stamp. These are good for one year and may be purchased from the visitor center or online. See hours and more information below under the Mandatory Boat Inspections section.

      Sailing

      Sailing is permitted and a common boating activity on Navajo Reservoir.  Sailboats must be registered or documented.  Sailboats must be inspected for aquatic nuisance species prior to launching.  Launching is only permitted at the boat ramp.​

      Sailing tours and sailing lessons are available with Peaks and Tides, a local Sailing School and Sailing Adventure Company. Please see the ​​​Peaks and Tides website​ for more information and reservations or call 970-903-6036.

      Fishing

      Whether fishing from a boat or from a remote shoreline, fishing is great at Navajo State Park.  If you plan to fish across the New Mexico state line, be sure to purchase your New Mexico fishing license

      Parking lots off CO Hwy 151 and County Road 500 to Pagosa Junction give access to good fishing spots on the Piedra and San Juan rivers. Please remember to bring sunscre​en, insect repellent and clothes appropriate for changes in the weather.

      New Mexico Fishing Licenses

      New Mexico fishing licenses can be purchased online at New Mexico Fishing Licenses​ before you visit Navajo State Park. 

      Fish Species and Bag Limits

      See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.

      Fishing Awards and Records for Navajo

      Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.

      Clean 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.

      Bring the Brochures with You

      Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Navajo Reservoir

      To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection is required. 

      Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear

      Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.

      Inspection icon

      Inspection Hours

      Aquatic nuisance species inspections are available from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the ANS station by the boat ramp on the north side of the reservoir by Carracas campground.

      NOTE: Starting May 17, inspection hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

      Mandatory Inspections and Seals
      Alert icon

      Eurasian watermilfoil

      Eurasian watermilfoil has been detected in the reservoir at Navajo.

      It is an aquatic noxious weed that forms dense mats which restrict swimming, fishing, and boating. The mats shade and choke out native aquatic plants that are needed by aquatic fish and animals for shelter, habitat and food. The decaying plants foul beaches and decrease oxygen levels in the water, destroying habitat and food needed by fish and birds.

      Stop the Spread of Eurasian watermilfoil

      Oh, SHELL NO

      Be a Pain in the ANS

      Recreation in Colorado’s water could be impacted by the spread of invasive species in the water. Aquatic nuisance species(ANS) are invasive species that damage bodies of water. This can have huge impacts on many of the industries and products we all know and love: wine, corn, beer, peaches, drinking water, outdoor recreation and many more. If you’re recreating in the water, you can be a Pain in the ANS — and stop the spread of invasive species. Take Action: Clean, drain and dry your watercraft and gear.

      Oh Shell No 169.png

      Water Activities

      Jet skiing

      Jet Skiing

      This is a great lake for all types of boats. It's about 30 miles from the boat ramp to the dam so bring plenty of gas and energy! Jet skis are required to have much of the same safety equipment as standard boats. Check the regulations before launching. Jet skis can tow tubes, wakeboards and water-skiers only with an active observer watching. The use of mirrors is not a permitted observation method.

      Water

      Swimming

      Navajo State Park has no designated swim beach but swimming is permitted in most of the lake during daylight hours. Swimming is forbidden 150 feet from any boat ramp, marina, breakwater, dock or anywhere where it's posted. When swimming from a boat, display your orange or red flag to tell other boaters you have someone in the water.

      Water skiing

      Water Skiing

      Enjoy mid-day skiing on glass! Stay on the Colorado side to avoid the crowds.

      Man fishing off boat

      Fishing

      The reservoir is one of the deepest in Colorado offering a fun challenge to anglers. The Piedra River and San Juan River, which feed the reservoir, offer great fly fishing and are easily accessible from the park's many day-use areas. Accessible fishing can be accessed from the Piedra River day-use area.