Caleb Hingtgen
Audio By Carbonatix
As I-70 fills up early on Saturday mornings and lift tickets quickly sell out, it sometimes seems like all recreational opportunities for the next few months will revolve exclusively around Colorado’s greatest obsession. But there are many more reasons to get outside during the winter, even if you don’t ski.
While Colorado’s state parks are most frequently associated with summer activities such as camping, hiking and fishing, there is still plenty to do in the parks once the birds migrate and the leaves fall off the trees.
Keep reading for the best state parks to visit in the winter (make sure to check their websites to learn more about the rules to follow for your personal safety and the conservation of natural resources):
Chatfield State Park
11500 North Roxborough Road, Littleton
Just a short way from southwest Denver, Chatfield is a great place for people to try ice fishing for the first time once Chatfield Reservoir freezes over. The park is open for horseback riding, hiking and biking year-round, too.
Will you step up to support Westword this year?
At Westword, we’re small and scrappy — and we make the most of every dollar from our supporters. Right now, we’re $23,000 away from reaching our December 31 goal of $50,000. If you’ve ever learned something new, stayed informed, or felt more connected because of Westword, now’s the time to give back.
Cherry Creek State Park
4201 South Parker Road, Aurora
Cherry Creek is the closest state park to downtown Denver, and by default the best place to spend an unexpected snow day. Winter visitors frequently use the park for sledding, snowtubing or ice fishing. Others may be interested in events such as semi-regular archery clinics and the annual opportunity to meet Santa at the swim beach!
Eleven Mile State Park
4229 County Road 92, Lake George
Passionate fishermen owe Eleven Mile Reservoir a visit for some of the best ice-fishing opportunities in the country (so long as the weather cooperates). In the coldest years, ice fishing can start as early as Thanksgiving week, and Eleven Mile Sports hosts an ice -ishing tournament series each year for the most competitive fishers; an ice-skating rink has also been put on the reservoir when the ice is thick enough. But if you make it up to the park just one weekend this winter, show up for the winter carnival in mid-February, which typically features ice-fishing demos, ice skating and various games and prizes.
Tim Weighart
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
92 Crawford Gulch Road, Golden
One of the closest backcountry experiences to Denver, Golden Gate Canyon is open for all sorts of outdoor recreation throughout the winter. Although most campsites will be closed until May, those looking to stay in trailers, RVs and the park’s cabins and yurts can reserve a site and get a taste of winter life in the Rocky Mountains. Adventurous souls may be interested in ice skating at Ranch Ponds (bring your own broom to sweep snow off the ice), or a quiet winter hike with the help of Yaktrax or snowshoes, depending on trail conditions. The park hosts clinics dedicated to teaching people how to ice fish in late February and early March. Next year, consider putting your name into a lottery at the beginning of November for a chance to cut down your own Christmas tree at the park.
Mancos State Park
42545 Road N, Mancos
Stay at a yurt for a few nights while taking full advantage of the ice-fishing opportunities at Jackson Gulch Reservoir, as well as venturing through a snowbound Mancos Park on snowshoes in hopes of seeing wildlife. If you’re really lucky, the park will get enough snow and ice to build igloos that will be open for reservations like any other campsite, but that is a highly weather-dependent opportunity.
Anna Miller
Mueller State Park
21045 Highway 67 South, Divide
Locals and visitors alike in the Colorado Springs area will find plenty to enjoy at Mueller State Park. Skiers will be pleased to find that the campground roads are kept well-groomed by the park’s trail crew once the roads are closed for the winter. Mueller’s Black Bear and Homestead trails are groomed for hikers, snowshoers, bikers and cross-country skiers looking for a more rigorous outing, and the snow coverage of each groomed trail is kept updated on COTrex and Mueller’s Facebook page. Many sledders also seek out the park for a ride down Preacher’s Hollow and Peak View Hill, while other visitors may reserve a campsite with provided electricity for their trailers or RVs. Mueller also offers a series of guided nature hikes throughout the winter, with one held on New Year’s Day as an annual tradition for hikers and naturalists.
Navajo State Park
1526 County Road 982, Arboles
Fishermen and boating enthusiasts who miss the open water should check out the Navajo Reservoir, 3,000 acres of which are within the boundaries of Navajo State Park. While not exactly warm, the reservoir rarely freezes, offering a quieter time on the water to reflect, spend time with loved ones, and keep an eye out for the spectacular wildlife that will be much more visible without the summer crowds scaring it off.
Ridgway State Park
28555 Highway 550, Ridgway
Have you ever heard of ice sailing? It’s basically sailing a boat that’s like a giant ice skate blown across a frozen lake. If you like the sound of that, Ridgway Reservoir is the place for you! And after you spend a day out on the ice, cozy up in one of the park’s wonderful camping yurts.
Caleb Hingtgen
State Forest State Park
56750 Highway 14, Walden
The largest state park in Colorado, State Forest has a wide variety of winter recreational opportunities. Fishermen can enjoy a weekend of ice fishing at North Michigan Reservoir while staying at one of the campground’s six heated cabins, which provide a view of the water. The park also offers great trails for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; the Gould Loop Trail is a major highlight for skiers, as it is regularly groomed by park staff. State Forest also holds an annual Christmas tree cut in a specifically marked-off area of the park the weekend after Thanksgiving, as well as a staff-led moonlit snowshoe/ski hike on Gould Loop each year on the last Saturday of January.
Staunton State Park
12102 South Elk Creek Road, Pine
For urban dwellers who want just a short trip but plenty of options for winter activities, Staunton is the place. Between ice fishing, fat mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing, it has a little something for everyone. And snowshoers and cross-country skiers may find good runs if they get to the park right after a major snowstorm.
Vega State Park
15247 North 6/10 Road Unit A, Collbran
Vega is the best state park for snowmobile access, bar none. While the park itself isn’t big, its trails provide visitors with access to hundreds of miles of trails within the Grand Mesa National Forest that are open to Off-Highway Vehicles like snowmobiles. Other visitors may be interested in the park’s heated cabins that are available year-round; they can also ice skate or fish on an alpine lake and explore backcountry trails on skis and snowshoes.
Curtis Jones
Roxborough State Park
4751 East Roxborough Drive, Littleton
Since it’s just south of the city, there’s never a bad time of year to check out the stunning rock formations at Roxborough State Park. People who are looking to try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing for the first time should enjoy the Willow Creek and Fountain Valley trails, both of which are less than three miles long. And Fountain Valley will give winter adventurers an incredible view of the Fountain Rock Formation.
