Spinney Mountain State Park
State Park in Lake George, CO
Hours:
Half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Season: Park opens after spring ice through Nov. 15 annually, unless ice comes on sooner.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
4229 County Road 92
Lake George, CO 80827
United States
Spinney Mountain State Park
State Park in Lake George, CO
Hours:
Half hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Season: Park opens after spring ice through Nov. 15 annually, unless ice comes on sooner.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
4229 County Road 92
Lake George, CO 80827
United States
Navigate to:
An angler on a boat
Park Highlight
Explore Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Thanks to its 2,444-surface-acre reservoir and prime locations along the South Platte River, the park offers visitors exceptional boating and picnicking, but the prized attraction is its nationally renowned Gold Medal Waters fishing. Islands within the reservoir and the fenced area directly below the dam are closed to all public use at all times.
Reservoir Facilities
Facilities
Spinney is open for the season, but low water levels mean only hand-launched, motorized recreation is allowed at this time. This will continue until boat ramps are in place, which is unlikely to happen soon given current conditions in the South Platte Basin.
During the regular season, docks are for loading and unloading boats only. There is an enforced five-minute use limit while mooring at the dock.
Spinney Mountain does not have a marina available to visitors. Visitors can use the marina at nearby Eleven Mile State Park. Groceries, camping and fishing supplies, fishing equipment and boat rentals, licenses, firewood and snacks are available at the 11 Mile Marina.
Colorado Water is Cold Water
Colorado waters are classified as "cold water" (anything under 70 degrees) for most of the year. Swimming in cold water risks cold water shock, which can lead to drowning even for strong, experienced swimmers. An unexpected fall into cold water can cause an involuntary gasp reflex (which can cause you to breathe in water). Cold water shock can also cause rapid heart rate and hyperventilation (excessive breathing). If you experience cold water shock, quickly regain control of your breathing and get into the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) by crossing your arms across your chest and pulling your knees up to your chest, as if hugging yourself, to retain body heat.
Deadly Combos
Alcohol and Water
Alcohol use is the leading factor in recreational boating deaths. The intense sunlight and heat you experience when boating can amplify the effects of beer, wine and hard liquor. Your balance, vision, alertness, reaction time and coordination can change more intensely than you’re used to. One drink on the water is equivalent to three drinks on land.
Alcohol can also increase the dangers of cold water immersion.
Wind and Water
Weather can change very quickly in Colorado. Most summer storms arise in the afternoon, and they can come in fast and furiously, generally from the west.
Be mindful of the clouds and wind. Don't wait until the weather is on top of you before seeking safety. Wind is the main cause of paddlers falling in the water. Once in the water, the wind can blow your craft away from you, and if the waves become intense, it becomes difficult to swim.
Remember that after you get out of the water, wind chill can cause you to lose heat very quickly.
Life Jackets and Water
The majority of water-related fatalities happen when people are swimming in cold water or paddleboarding or kayaking while not wearing a life jacket. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board.
Weight and Water
Don't go over the maximum capacity or weight on boats, kayaks or stand up paddleboards. They can capsize or sink. Remember that coolers can change the total weight and weight distribution on your vessel.
Swimming and Drop Offs
The bottoms of lakes are inconsistent. “Drop offs” are spots in lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers with sudden changes in depth. These abrupt changes can be risky and catch swimmers off guard.
Swimming and Water Depth
Most reservoirs average 40-100 feet deep, making them unsuitable for those with limited swimming abilities.
Swimming and Unmarked Hazards
Lower water levels this summer can expose unmarked hazards that swimmers would usually not expect. Hazards could include trees, rocks, etc.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
All types of boating are popular on this large reservoir including: Kayaking, canoeing, sailing and motor boating. Whether it’s a lazy early morning pontoon-boat cruise or challenging the afternoon high winds with a windsurf board, this reservoir provides enough water to meet your needs.
Hours
Boating hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset daily. All users, including river users, must be OUT of the park by 1 hour after sunset. The park is closed during overnight hours to all activities.
Winds at the Reservoir
Please be aware that area winds can blow in gusts up to 40 mph and create five-foot waves on the reservoir. Storms develop very quickly and a bigger boat is always better on this reservoir.
Reservoir Fishing
Spinney Mountain is a Gold Medal fishery in a quiet and secluded portion of South Park. This reservoir is known internationally for its trophy-sized northern pike, rainbows, cutthroats and browns that are taken all summer long. Anglers continue to marvel at the reservoir's resurgence as a trophy trout fishery. The comeback is due to the successful techniques used by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to manage the reservoir's trout and pike fisheries.
Rules:
- The park closes to all fishing activity one half hour after sunset during the open season.
- Fishing is strictly flies and lures only; nothing with a scent and nothing with a taste.
- Bait fishing and snagging are both prohibited.
- Areas closed to fishing include the fenced area directly below the dam, the face of the dam, the Homestake Conveyance Channel and from any island or boat ramp.
- Fishing from the docks is prohibited.
- Fishing from the face of the dam is prohibited.
- Ice fishing is prohibited.
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 Spinney Mountain
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.
South Platte River Fishing
All fish caught on the South Platte River below (east of) the reservoir and continuing to Eleven Mile Reservoir must be immediately released back to the water. This is a Gold Medal catch and release fishing area only. Bait fishing and snagging are both prohibited above and below the reservoir and is strictly enforced.
Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Spinney Mountain
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 & Decontamination Hours
Mandatory boat inspections are available from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset during regular boating season.
Any boat found to be contaminated will be refused admittance to the reservoir until decontaminated. After inspection, if a decontamination is needed the ANS Inspector will direct the boater where to go during the hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New Zealand Mudsnail
New Zealand mudsnails have been confirmed in Spinney Mountain Reservoir. They negatively affects aquatic insect larvae, native snails, as well as fish populations.
Stop the Spread of New Zealand MudsnailsOh, 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.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the Brochure Land and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure
Windsurfing
Water Activities
Water-contact sports including swimming, wading, scuba diving and water skiing are prohibited, but visitors can windsurf on the reservoir. With frequent wind gusts of 30–40 mph, windsurfing can be exciting. Windsurfing with a full-body wetsuit is recommended due to the very cold water temperatures.
Parks Nearby
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Want more water fun? Spinney Mountain Park visitors can explore nearby Eleven Mile State Park that also has a reservoir.
Visitors can also rent equipment from Eleven Mile to use at Spinney Mountain. The 11-Mile Marina has boat rentals available that include a 20-foot pontoon and a couple of 16-foot Lund aluminum V-Hulls. See the Marina website or call the marina for details at 719-748-0317. All persons under the age of 13 must wear their life jacket at all times when in any vessel that is on the water.
Visit the North Shore Aquatic Nuisance Inspection Station for personal flotation devices for loan for children and adults.