Ridgway State Park
State Park in Ridgway, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center/Office: Daily, 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:
28555 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO 81432
United States
Ridgway State Park
State Park in Ridgway, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitor Center/Office: Daily, 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:
28555 Highway 550
Ridgway, CO 81432
United States
Navigate to:
Ridgway State Park
Park Highlight
Explore the Reservoir
Come play at the stunning Ridgway Reservoir! Our lake offers 1,000 surface acres of pristine water and majestic views of the San Juan Mountains. Perfect for fishing, water-skiing, boating, sailing and windsurfing.
Reservoir Facilities
Facilities
The four-lane concrete boat ramp, located at the Dutch Charlie site, stretches to the lower limits of the water level, so boaters will be able to launch in low water conditions.
All vessels are required to be inspected for aquatic nuisance species prior to launching. See Mandatory Boat Inspections lower on the page.
Non-alcoholic beverages, ice cream, snacks, ice, bait worms, and boat and equipment rentals can be purchased at the Blue Heron marina office . The marina is located at Mear's Bay Cove in the Dutch Charlie Area on the southwest side of the reservoir. Dutch Charlie can be accessed from Highway 550.
Marina Hours
- The Marina opens May 15. It will be open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Labor Day. After this date, hours will be limited, as staffing allows.
Questions? Contact the marina manager at 970-318-9689, 970-626-5822 ext 21 for the Marina Store. You can also email them at [email protected].
Pontoon boats, paddle boards, short-term slips and buoy rentals are available May through September at the marina office. You can also borrow life jackets, fishing poles and tackle boxes from the marina office, free of charge.
Pontoon Boats
There are three pontoon boats available for rent.
- Two nine-person capacity pontoons with:
- 60hp motor, depth/fishfinder, optional towables available for rent, swim ladder, fishing pole racks
- Inflatable towables: Additional $25 half day or $50 full day
- One 5- to 7-capacity pontoon with:
- 40hp motor, live well, stereo w/Bluetooth, depth/fishfinder, swim ladder, fishing pole racks
Pontoon Rental Pricing
- Half day: $250 + tax, 9 am to 1 pm or 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Full day : $400 + tax, 9 am to 5 pm
- Overnight: add $150
Short-term Slip and Buoy Rental
Short-term boat slip and buoy rentals can be reserved in advance through the call center at 1-800-244-5613. Reservations made with less than a week in advance can be made in person or by calling the marina store at 970-318-9689.
Slip Rental Pricing
- $35 per night
- $175 per week
Buoy Pricing
- $30 per night
- $150 per week
Slip and Buoy Rental Guidelines
- Maximum 30-ft boat length
- Two slips available for under 24 ft
- Two slips for 24-ft to 30-ft boat length
- No electricity, fuel services or pump services available
- Maximum 14 days stay allowed in any 28-day period
- Buoy tender available for buoy rentals, free of charge
- $500,000 liability insurance coverage required for all slip and buoy rentals
Seasonal Slips and Buoys
Seasonal slips and buoys are in very high demand at the Blue Heron Marina. Please fill out the out the Marina Waitlist Form to be added to the waitlist.
Dry Storage
Ridgway State Park also offers dry storage for RVs, boats and other vehicles. Currently, this is a yearly lease at a rate of $400 per year. Please fill out the Dry Storage Waitlist Form to be added to the waitlist.
Two fishing piers are located on the park; one at the Uncompahgre River, just off the paved River Walk Trail, and the other just off the boat ramp on the Fish Tale Trail path. Both piers are accessible for people with disabilities. These piers are available year-round, as conditions allow.
Fish can be scaled and cleaned at the fish cleaning station located next to the bathroom to the south of the ponds in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area.
The swim beach at Dutch Charlie is open seasonally. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the beach area. The swim beach area is tested for water contaminants twice weekly to ensure a safe swimming experience.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
Boating at Ridgway State Park is a great way to beat the heat of the summer. Whether you are an avid angler, a sailor or just looking to enjoy the water, Ridgway is the place to go. Boat inspections for aquatic nuisance species are mandatory for all motorized boats before launch.
Fishing
In streams and reservoir, any bait or lure is allowed, and anglers can keep all fish, up to the legal limit. Boaters can reach secluded coves on the west shore of the reservoir to try their luck with catch-and-keep fishing. There are three main areas in the park for catch-and-keep fishing.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
Ridgway reservoir's waters are home to a range of fish species such as rainbow trout, brown trout, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, Kokanee salmon and walleye. See the Fishing Atlas for more fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for Ridgway
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.
Fishing at Pa-Co-Chu-Puck
The Pa-Co-Chu-Puck area features two ponds stocked with rainbow trout for the Huck Finn Days program in the summer where kids learn about fishing. Participants only need a daily park pass to attend. Parents are encouraged to join their children for the program. For the avid fly angler, there is a fantastic one-mile section of catch-and-release-only fishing in the Uncompahgre River below the dam. Only artificial flies and lures are allowed. Great fishing days can happen here at any time of the year.
Fishing at Mear’s Bay Cove in the Dutch Charlie Area
Enjoy great shoreline fishing, especially on the south shore of the cove where it opens out into the main body of the reservoir. It’s close to picnicking sites, a playground and a modern, universally accessible fishing pier. Fish can be scaled and cleaned at the fish-cleaning station located next to the bathroom beside the boat ramp.
Fishing at the Dallas Creek Day Use Area
Highlights include a long shoreline for river or reservoir fishing with convenient drive-up areas and parking spaces. The best fishing is often found where the Uncompahgre River empties into the main body of the reservoir. Snag Kokanee salmon here during their autumn run in the area where the Dallas Creek and Uncompahgre River flow together.
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 BrochureACCESSIBILITY
Activities for Visitors with Disabilities
At Ridgway, visitors with disabilities can wade at the swim beach and boat, fish and paddle board in the reservoir using accessible equipment or assistance available at the park. All restroom and shower buildings are accessible.
Please inquire with the Blue Heron Marina at 970-318-9689 to reserve the mobi-chair, accessible paddle board or with any questions.
Boaters with disabilities are urged to board their vessel prior to entering the launch area or use the marina platform with assistance. The marina is located at Mear's Bay Cove in the Dutch Charlie Area on the southwest side of the reservoir. Dutch Charlie can be accessed from Highway 550.
The modern, universally accessible fishing pier is located at Mear's Bay Cove in the Dutch Charlie Area on the southwest side of the reservoir. Dutch Charlie can be accessed from Highway 550.
The park offers Mobi-Chairs® for accessible swimming and wading at the swim beach for adults and children with accessibility needs. A Mobi-Chair is a high-quality floating beach wheelchair that floats thanks to its wheels and armrests. It can also be used on sand and soft surfaces.
The SOLFiesta accessible paddle board is five feet six inches wide and 15 feet six inches long, with rings to mount a variety of accessible supports.
Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Ridgway
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the 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
Inspection hours are as follows:
April 1 to May 1: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 1 to Memorial Day: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Memorial Day to Labor Day: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Labor Day to October 1: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The ANS inspection station is located at the top of the boat ramp at Dutch Charlie on the south side of the reservoir.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussel, quagga mussel, New Zealand mudsnail, 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
Paddle Boarding
Take in the park's stunning mountain views as you engage in a fun, full-body workout. Paddle boards can be rented at the marina and the Dallas Creek site (Memorial Day to Labor Day only). The combination of high-mountain winds, cold waters and potential exhaustion creates a higher level of risk and an absolute necessity for safety precautions.
Swimming
The Dallas Creek Open swimming area allows swimming from the shoreline in the designated no-wake area only. Swimming in this area is at your own risk. The water is not tested at this site. There are three no-swimming areas on the reservoir, which are located in Mears Bay, at the dam, and the in-flow river to the reservoir. No swimming is allowed in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk section of the park.
Water Skiing
The warm weather during the summer season makes the reservoir extremely attractive for water skiers and wakeboarders alike. Watch for floating driftwood during times of rapid runoff, and don't forget your red or orange flag!
Whitewater Rafting
Whitewater rafting is available on the Uncompahgre River south of the park (as conditions allow). Recommended for small rafts and kayaks only. No boats are allowed in Pa-Co-Chu-Puk on the river below the dam. Small crafts are available for rent at the Ridgway Outdoor Experience.
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is popular during the summer and most launch from the Dallas Creek shoreline. Watch for floating driftwood during times of rapid runoff.
Borrow Equipment
Forget your gear? Borrow ours! The visitor center, Dallas Creek entrance station, boat ramp and marina office all have gear you can borrow while you're at the park.
Life Jackets
Did you forget to bring your life jacket? Loaner life jackets are available at the Dallas Creek entrance station, the boat ramp and the marina office located at the swim beach.
Fishing Equipment
Loaner fishing poles and tackle boxes are available from the visitor center and the marina office.