Pearl Lake State Park
State Park in Clark, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Sunday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
PO Box 750
Clark, CO 80428
United States
Pearl Lake State Park
State Park in Clark, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Sunday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
PO Box 750
Clark, CO 80428
United States
An aerial view of Pearl Lake
Park Highlight
Explore Pearl Lake
The park's main attraction is the 167-surface-acre lake. Nestled in the mountains north of Steamboat Springs, this peaceful park sits in a serene lakeside setting. Excellent fly and lure fishing for native cutthroat trout can be found. Paddleboarders, kayakers and sailors clamor for a chance to launch on Pearl's expansive and still waters. Pearl Lake is a wakeless lake — boaters cannot create a wake here, and water skiing, jet skiing and swimming are not permitted.
Facilities
Boat Ramp
There is one boat ramp located in the lower day use area of Pearl Lake.
Starting May 23, 2025, hours of operation for the boat ramp will be:
- Sunday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
NOTE: Pearl is a wakeless Lake. Boats need to be inspected at nearby Steamboat Lake prior to launching. See the Mandatory Boat Inspections section lower on the page for more information.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
Pristine and quiet with great fishing and wakeless-only (including gas/electric) boating, it’s what a mountain lake should be. In order to keep Pearl Lake and other lakes this way, all trailer-launched vessels and those powered by motor or sail must be inspected prior to launch. Campers can leave their boats along shore or trailered in the boat ramp parking lot.
The lake is open approximately from the end of May through November 1 each year.
Fishing
Pearl Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities. Excellent fly and lure fishing for native cutthroat trout can be found in Pearl Lake's wakeless waters. The best fishing of the year tends to be mid-to-late May during ice off and again in the fall.
Ice Fishing
The lake is available for ice fishing during the winter months but is restricted to flies and lures only. Ice fishing for cutthroat trout and grayling are allowed. Ice fishers will have to snowshoe or cross-country ski a half mile to reach the lake. Ice conditions can vary dramatically, and falling through can be fatal. Please use caution and carry self-rescue equipment, such as ice awls.
- Fishing at Pearl Lake is restricted to flies and artificial lures.
- No bait is allowed.
- A two-fish bag limit is enforced and each fish must be over 18 inches.
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 Pearl Lake
Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish. 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
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the BrochureLand and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the BrochureMandatory Boat Inspections for ANS need to be made at Steamboat PRIOR to arriving
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the ANS inspection station located at the Steamboat Marina Boat Ramp 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 Hours
Required inspections are done at the nearby Steamboat Lake Marina Boat Ramp. Starting May 23, 2025, hours of operation for the Steamboat boat ramp will be Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
However, if boaters have a green seal and white receipt, please deposit the tag and receipt in the ANS container that is available by the Pearl boat ramp.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANSOh, 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.
Water Activities
Kayaking
Kayaking leisurely around the lake is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Canoeing
The wakeless waters of the lake are perfect for canoeing.
Paddle Boarding
Please remember your life jacket before launching in our waters. Paddle boards are available for rent from a vendor on the weekends. We recommend (required for children 13 and below) the use of a life jacket when going on the lake.
Sailing
Come sail and enjoy the picturesque lake.