John Martin Reservoir

C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E John Martin Reservoir State Park FACT SHEET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 Who we are John Martin Reservoir was the first state park in southeastern Colorado and is called a “sapphire on the plains.” When full, John Martin Reservoir is one of the largest reservoirs in the state, and it is known for its excellent fishing, boating and waterfowl hunting. The park is also a bird-watcher’s paradise with a diverse community of over 400 resident and migratory birds. The mild southeast Colorado weather provides year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visitors to John Martin State Park spend about $8.7 million annually at local businesses.1 Top attractions • The reservoir provides uncrowded boating and waterskiing, as well as spectacular conditions for a wide variety of wind watersports. • Many fishing and hunting opportunities. Casting from shore or boat, anglers catch walleye, saugeye, bass, wiper, crappie, perch and catfish. • The park is recognized as one of the premier birding locations in the interior U.S., including a designation by the Audubon Society as an “Important Bird Area.” • The park is close to several southeastern Colorado historic landmarks, including: Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site in La Junta, the Big Timbers Museum in Lamar, the Kit Carson Museum in Las Animas, the Camp Amache National Historic Landmark in Granada, the Boggsville Historic Site in Las Animas, and the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in Eads. • Year round wildlife viewing and camping. • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Bent County • Southeast Colorado Regional Tourism Group Challenges we face • Working with U.S. Army Corps to improve our delivery of programs to the public. Although we can no longer take advantage of costsharing opportunities, we should seek to combine efforts where possible to ensure that visiting this eastern plains park remains a pleasant outdoor experience for customers. • Identifying opportunities to purchase water in order to maintain water levels for boating and other flat water recreation activities. • Developing a marketing plan that targets boaters, campers and anglers along the Front Range of Colorado and nearby states. • Continuing to work toward a more comprehensive trail management and improvement plan. • Supplementing operational and staffing costs by expanding our volunteer forces, particularly during the high season. Volunteer Activities The campground host program provides valuable services to campers and assists park staff during the long camping season. 1Source: Corona Research, Colorado State Parks Marketing Assessment, “Visitor Spending Analysis 2008-2009” (adjusted for inflation). COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us VIC SCHENDEL/CPW Our partners 30703 Co. Rd. 24, Hasty, CO, 81044 (719) 829-1801 • Email: john.martin.park@state.co.us Park Manager: Dan Kirmer As of July 1, 2017 Trails Biking: 4.5 miles Hiking: 4.5 miles Horseback: 3 miles Total: 4.5 miles Employees Permanent: 4 Temporary: 12 Volunteers: 23 Volunteer Hours: 908 Geography Region: Southeast County: Bent Year Acquired: 2001 Elevation: 3,851 ft Miles From Denver: 215 Roads Paved: 4.5 miles Unpaved: 8 miles Annual Visitation 413,383 Acreage Total Acres: 12,286 Facilities 3 Boat Ramps Dump Station 3 Group Picnic Areas Laundry 20 Picnic Sites Showers (coin-operated) Visitor Center Governmental US Cong Dist: 4th CO Senate: 35th CO House: 64th Recreation Boating Fishing Ice Fishing Ice Skating Ice Fishing Ranger/Nature Programs Sailboarding Swimming Wildlife/Bird Viewing Winter Camping Walden Fort Collins Craig Hayden Steamboat Springs Sterling Estes Loveland Park Greeley Oak Creek Fort Brush Morgan Meeker Kremmling Wray Brighton Denver Golden Avon Vail Rifle Frisco Glenwood Springs Breckenridge Collbran Fruita Aspen Leadville Castle Rock Limon Burlington Camping Campsites (basic, seasonal): 42 Campsites (basic, year-round): 62 Campsites (electrical, seasonal): 55 Campsites (electrical, year-round): 54 Group Facilities (year-round): 3 Fairplay Grand Junction Delta Paonia Hotchkiss Buena Vista Crawford Colorado Springs Kit Carson Cripple Creek Olathe Gunnison Montrose Salida Canon City Pueblo Ridgway Ouray Lamar La Junta John Martin Reservoir Dove Creek Walsenburg Monte Vista Dolores Cortez Durango La Veta Springfield Trinidad THOMAS KIMMEL/CPW Mancos Alamosa Pagosa Springs COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 (303) 297-1192 cpw.state.co.us THOMAS KIMMEL/CPW John Martin Reservoir State Park