Passes & Permits
Accessibility
Fees are charged year round and pay for the operation
of park facilities. Passes are available at the visitor center,
west park entrance station and automated pass dispensers.
For your convenience the automated pass dispensers and
visitor center accept credit cards. All visitors are required
to display a current Colorado State Parks Pass on their
vehicle windshield.
The swim area is located 50-75 yards from the parking lot
and is accessible with assistance. The beach house, toilet
facilities and group shelter facilities are all accessible.One
handicapped-accessible campsite, site #25, is available.
A daily pass is valid from the day purchased until noon
the following day. An annual pass grants entrance to
all Colorado State Parks. For annual pass holders who
own another vehicle, a multiple pass is available for an
additional fee.
Aspen Leaf annual passes are available for Colorado
seniors (64 years and older) at a discounted rate. Aspen
Leaf pass holders can receive a discount on camping on
weekdays. A regular camping fee is charged on weekends
and holidays.
Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado Disabled
Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free without
a pass. A camping fee is charged in addition to a daily
pass fee. Campers are required to purchase and display a
camping permit at their campsite.
Wildlife
More than 200 species of birds have been observed at
Highline Lake State Park, and migrating ducks and geese
winter at Highline. Birds such as the great blue heron,
white pelican, snowy egret, whooping crane, golden eagle
and bald eagle are seen in the park. Visit the Watchable
Wildlife Overlook and Kiosk for more information about
specific species. A bird list is available at the park office.
Many animals make their home at Highline Lake and can
be seen at various times of the year. Natural areas within
the park allow visitors and school groups to observe
animals in their natural habitats.
Small game and waterfowl hunting at Highline Lake State
Park is allowed with specific regulations. Information on
seasons and regulations is available from a park ranger or
the hunting brochures.
Picnicking
The large turf area and shade trees close to the lake
provide cool picnic sites with grills and tables.
Boating & Water Recreation
Highline Lake opens to boating March 1st and continues
to September 30th. The lake provides an area for power
boating, jet-skiing and water-skiing. On weekends
during the summer, boat capacity is often reached.
Consider arriving early on weekends, or boat weekdays
and evenings.
The watchable wildlife overlook is accessible on the west
side as well as the kiosk on the east side. An accessible
fishing pier is available at Mack Mesa Lake.
Highline Lake
State Park
Help Protect Your Park
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
A complete copy of park regulations is available at the
entrance station.
Highline Lake State Park was built and is maintained for
your use and enjoyment. In the interest of safety and for the
preservation of your park, please observe the following:
1. Place trash in the receptacles provided.
All boats must carry the appropriate safety equipment
– see Colorado Boating Regulations and Statutes. Also
please note specific boating regulations on the map
attached. Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations are
enforced at Highline Lake. Inspection stations are located
at both east and west ramps. For information, choose the
Boating link at www.cpw.state.co.us.
2. Vehicles must remain on designated roads or
parking lots.
Park rangers patrol Highline Lake regularly to provide
emergency assistance and ensure safe operation.
6. Report any problems to a ranger or dial 911.
Swim Beach
With warm temperatures in the summer a buoyed-off
swim area is provided adjacent to the grassy picnic area.
The water is tested weekly and water temperatures run
from the high 60s to the 80s. The swimbeach is open from
the first weekend in May through the end of September.
Please observe posted swim beach rules and regulations.
Group Picnic Facility
This attractive area has facilities for groups of up to 150
and includes a large fire grill, covered eating area and
modern restrooms. Groups should reserve the area in
advance by calling the park office at (970) 858-7208, or
by email up to 1 year in advance. A fee is charged for
reserving this facility.
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
3. Please keep all pets off the beach and on a leash no longer
than six feet.
4. Fires may be built only in the fire rings or grills provided.
5. Camping is only permitted in designated campsites.
To prevent theft, please do not leave personal
belongings unattended on picnic tables or in tents and
lock your vehicles.
Highline Lake State Park
1800 11.8 Road • Loma, CO 81524
(970) 858-7208 • E-mail: highline.park@state.co.us
cpw.state.co.us
Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
CPW_RMHI_6K_3/18
cpw.state.co.us
W
elcome to Highline Lake State Park, the
center for water sports and recreation in
the Grand Valley. Its warm water provides a
comfortable setting for water-skiing, swimming, fishing
and picnicking. Highline Lake, completed in 1969, has
160 surface-acres for water recreation, while Mack Mesa
Lake provides good fishing and solitude away from
motorized boats. In winter, large numbers of migratory
birds use the park as a rest stop. Whether you visit
Highline Lake to rest or play, its diverse wildlife and
recreational opportunities will entertain you.
Camping
Highline Lake State Park offers 36 grassy campsites that
can accommodate tents and RVs. Showers are available.
Campers must have both a camping permit and a vehicle
pass; both are available at the visitor center and the
automated pass dispenser at the east entrance.
walk-in
tent sites
12 11 10
15
14
17
7
13
36
20
33
32
29
28
25
23
1
35
27
24
Visitor
Center
5
34
19
3
4
2
18
22
6
9
16
21
8
Highline Lake
State Park
26
31
30
BOOKCLIFF
CAMPGROUND
Greasewood Flats
Trail
Please camp only in designated sites and display the
camping permit in the markers at each campsite.
Due to the limited
number of campsites
available, the
campground routinely
reaches capacity
during the summer
months. Please use the
reservation system to
guarantee a campsite by
calling, 1-800-244-5613 or online at www.cpw.state.co.us.
There is a reservation fee in addition to the camping fee.
Bookcliff
Campground
East Boat
Ramp
EAST PARK
ENTRANCE
Fishing
Mack Mesa Lake is noted for its fine early season and fall
trout fishing, as well as its great ice fishing. Only hand or
electric powered boats are allowed.
Highline Lake has a unique barrier net system designed to
keep endangered and non-native fish apart, installed at the
outlet – this is the first fish screen in the United States to
be used to separate endangered fish from sport fishing.
Good warm-water fishing exists at both lakes, especially
for largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie. For
up-to-date fishing information visit us online at
www.cpw.state.co.us.
Boat Ramp
Trail Use
Trails circle both Mack Mesa Lake and Highline Lake.
The Highline Lake Trail is a 3.5 mile loop around
the lake featuring excellent shore bird and mule deer
viewing opportunities. This trail has a gravel surface and
accommodates hiking and mountain bikes. Single-track
trails have also been developed north of the lake. See map
for details. Access to world class mountain bike routes on
BLM property is close by.
LEGEND
Parking
Camping
Showers
Swim Beach
Dumpster
Entrace
EntranceStation
Station
Water Hydrant
Self
Serve
Restrooms
Dump Station
Wakeless
Wakeless
Vault Toilet
Fishing
Visitor Center
Group Picnic Area
Watchable Wildlife
HandicappedAccesssible
Accessible
Handicapped
Hiking/Mountain Biking
Laundry
ANS
Inspection
Station
Park Boundary
to
picnic
area
to
camp
ground
11.8 Road
