Lathrop

Fishing & Hunting In addition to a park pass, campers are required to purchase and properly display a valid camping permit at their campsite. History Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free without a pass, but camping fees still apply. Lathrop State Park, with 1,594 land acres, lies on a high plains grassland dotted with piñon and juniper that is typical of southeastern Colorado. Hidden among the trees and yucca are mule deer, rabbits, squirrels and a variety of birds and waterfowl. The park is a popular place to enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, camping and hiking. The Aspen Leaf Annual Pass is available at a discounted rate for Colorado residents age 64 and over. It allows admission to all state parks every day and discounted camping Sunday through Thursday nights, excluding holidays. Lathrop is a popular fishing area with many warmwater species. Martin and Horseshoe lakes are stocked with pike, rainbow trout, channel catfish, tiger muskie, bass, walleye, bluegill and crappie. In the winter, ice conditions are considered unsafe and ice fishing is not recommended. A youth fishing area is located near the Martin Lake Dam. Fishing licenses are required for everyone 16 years and older. The swim beach, ski beach, boat docks, the dam on Martin Lake and boat ramps are closed to fishing. A Daily Pass is valid from the day purchased until noon the following day. An Annual Pass is valid at any state park. For annual pass holders who own another vehicle, an additional pass is available at a reduced fee. The Spanish Peaks, 13,610 and 12,669 feet in elevation, tower over the park to the south and attract visitors with their majestic beauty, geological interest and historical legends. The peaks were used for many years as directional guides by trappers, prospectors, settlers and explorers. The plains Indians named the peaks Huajatolla (Wa-ha-toy-a), which means “Breasts of the World.” Visitors to Lathrop State Park are required to display a current Colorado State Parks Pass on their auto windshield. Two types of passes are available. Only the posted areas around Horseshoe Lake are open for waterfowl and small game hunting during regular seasons. Hunting is prohibited anywhere on the park from the Friday before Memorial Day until the Tuesday after Labor Day. Only shotguns and bows and arrows, and crossbows are permitted during open seasons. Hunting licenses are required. Fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased at the Visitor Center during business hours. Park Passes Boating & Swimming • All vehicles must display a valid parks pass at all times. • Park is closed 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless actively fishing or camping. • Quiet hours are enforced 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. • Build fires only in metal containers or grills and fire rings provided. Unattended fires are prohibited. • Keep vehicles on maintained roads or in parking areas. • Camp only in designated campsites. • Keep your pets on a leash no longer than six feet. • Pets are prohibited on the swim beach. • Please clean up after your pets. • Place litter in the receptacles provided. • Do not remove or destroy trees or other property. • Horses are allowed only on equestrian trails on the west side of Horseshoe Lake. Horses are prohibited in the campground. • Firewood gathering is prohibited. • Follow all boating and fishing regulations. • Please see the Visitor Center for a complete listing of regulations. First Aid The area surrounding the Spanish Peaks, the Valley of the Rising Sun, was believed by the Indians to be a strange, mysterious place inhabited by the gods of many lost tribes. Legends tell of great lost gold mines and a “garden of paradise” at the base of the peaks. The Indians used the mined gold only for worship, but some gold was taken to Mexico for coinage. The gods, angry at this, placed a demon in the peaks to bring bad luck or death to anyone who mines gold there. Lathrop State Park was built and is maintained for the safety of its visitors and the protection of our natural resources. Please obey the following regulations to help preserve the park and ensure the safety of all visitors. With the assistance of Huerfano County residents, Lathrop was opened in 1962 as Colorado’s first state park. It is named for the first director of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Harold W. Lathrop. Regulations Visitor Center Offering a beautiful view and easy access to the shoreline of Martin Lake, the Los Alamos Group Picnic Area is open for use by reservation only. This area can accommodate up to 50 people. It is ideal for family reunions, company picnics or a birthday party in the park. Please contact us for more information at (719) 738-2376. Martin Lake, with 240 surface acres, offers water-skiing, fishing, power and sail boating, wind surfing and swimming. Swimming is permitted only at the swim beach and is at the individual’s own risk. A lane for lap swimmers is now open outside the swimming area. The swim beach is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The lake is divided into zones by buoys that designate swimming and specialized activity on the lake. Please review the zoning system posted at the boat ramp. With 180 surface acres and two boat ramps, Horseshoe Lake offers wind surfing and sailing, boating at wakeless speeds and fishing. Group Picnic Area The Visitor Center boasts a historical mural and interactive interpretive displays for visitors of all ages. Equestrian trail users can enjoy a trail on the west side of Horseshoe Lake. Horsetrailers can park at two parking lots marked with equestrian signs, and 1.5 miles of marked trail is available for horses around the west side of the park. Horses are prohibited everywhere in the park, including campgrounds. Boaters must observe all regulations as published in Colorado Boating Statutes and Regulations, which is available at the Visitor Center. Boaters may also purchase boat registrations at the Visitor Center. The Cuerno Verde Trail is an exceptionally scenic multi-use non-motorized, asphalt trail that encircles Martin Lake. This trail is just less than three miles and is a closed loop trail. This handicap-accessible trail is popular with bicyclists as well as walkers and is within walking distance from both campgrounds. All motorized use is prohibited. Archery Range Located on the west side of the Hogback Trail, hikers can enjoy a short 500 foot walk into history to the William Henry Jackson Overlook, which is located at the actual spot where the famed photographer took a photo of the park in 1885. An interpretive sign at the overlook tells more about Jackson and displays a copy of the photo he took at the same location. Lathrop has a range where archers can practice at either a twenty yard or eighty yard target. The range entrance is located approximately one half mile west of the main park entrance on Highway 160. Broadheads, smoking, firearms and overnight camping are prohibited at the archery range. Along the two-mile Hogback Trail, marker posts have been installed to accompany a self-guided brochure containing information about the area’s plants, animal life and history. The brochures are complimentary and are available at the trailhead or at the Visitor Center. Bicycles and horses are prohibited on this designated nature trail. The Visitor Center provides park passes, camping permits, bagged ice, firewood, bait, worms, snacks, and outdoor necessities such as sunscreen. Visitors can also pick up brochures on Colorado State Parks and local attractions, listings of ranger activities, and park regulations. The Visitor Center also has a gift shop that offers items such as maps, books, guides, post cards and other local nature-oriented novelties. Hogback, Cuerno Verde, and equestrian trails are located in the park. The Hogback Trail winds through sandstone formations and then climbs up the rocky Hogback Ridge that forms the park’s northern boundary. As the trail follows the top of the ridge, majestic views of the Spanish Peaks, Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountain Ranges can be enjoyed. ©CPW/CHRIS STARK Trails C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E First aid may be obtained from any park ranger or at the Visitor Center. In case of an emergency, dial 911. Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center is also located across the highway from the park entrance and has a 24-hour emergency room. Location From Walsenburg go three miles west on Hwy. 160. Lathrop State Park ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS Camping Reservations Reservations can be made three days to six months in advance by calling 1-800-678-CAMP(2267) or (303) 470-1144 in the Denver metro area. Make your reservation online at cpw.state.co.us More detailed camping information and a campground map are inside this brochure. Walsenburg Golf Course Walsenburg Golf Course is open to the public. This beautiful nine-hole golf course is located adjacent to the park and overlooks Martin Lake and the Spanish Peaks. It is within walking distance to Piñon Campground. The spacious clubhouse features a restaurant, lounge, pro shop and wifi. For more information call (719) 738-2730. Lathrop State Park 70 County Road 502 Walsenburg, CO 81089 (719) 738-2376 • Fax (719) 738-2388 E-mail: lathrop.park@state.co.us cpw.state.co.us Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado through Colorado Lottery proceeds. CPW_SELA_3/17 cpw.state.co.us Camping Lathrop State Park offers its visitors 103 campsites on two campgrounds and three group camping areas. Campgrounds accommodate motor homes, trailers and tents and offer either a basic or improved camping experience. Amenities include showers, dump station, community hydrants (no hookups) and trash receptacles. Lathrop State Park All campers are required to register at the Visitor Center before setting up at one of the campgrounds. Campers arriving after the Visitor Center has closed may purchase passes at the self-service station in the campground, or at the visitor center. To improve your camping experience, please observe the following: • Camping is permitted in designated campsites only. • Respect quiet hours – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. • Pets must always be on leash and in control. Properly dispose of pet waste. • Keep vehicles on designated roads and parking areas. Only two vehicles are allowed at each campsite. • Cutting/gathering of firewood is unlawful. • Campfires must be attended. Please extinguish fires before vacating site. • Check out time is noon. • No more than one single family or single group, limited to six people, one camping unit, and one tent may occupy one campsite. • In order to avoid damaging trees and shrubs, the tying of ropes or clotheslines is not allowed. • Put trash in receptacles. Do not put trash in fire pits. • Please do not keep hoses connected to water hydrants. They are for public use. • Smoking in restrooms is prohibited. • Horses are prohibited in the campground. CAMPING FEES A park pass is required on each vehicle in addition to the camping fee. Piñon Electric - $24.00/night Yucca Non-Electric - $20.00/night Group Non-Electric - $60.00/night Los Alamos Group Electric - $198.00/night Aspen Leaf passholders recieve $3.00 discount Sunday- Thursday nights, excluding holidays. RESERVATIONS • Individual sites can be reserved three days to six months in advance by calling 1-800-678-CAMP(2267) or (303) 470-1144 in the Denver metro area or online at www.cpw.state.co.us • To reserve group sites call the park at (719) 738-2376 Piñon Campground Piñon Campground features 83 sites with pull-through parking spaces, electrical hook-ups, flush toilets, tent pads, shower houses, a playground and access to the amphitheater. g Ho Yucca Campground Yucca Campground is located within walking distance of Martin Lake and offers 21 non-electric camping sites for tents, small trailers and camping vans. A picnic table and fire grill are provided at each site. The campground has gravel back-in spaces and vault toilets. Water is available at hydrants throughout the campground. Group Camping Los Alamos electric group campsite is located within walking distance of Martin Lake’s popular ski beach, boat ramp and swim beach. Los Alamos provides seven electric pedestals in a group picnic setting near the lake’s shoreline, a group picnic shelter with seven tables, a water hydrant, fire pit, large barbecue grill, volleyball court and horseshoe pit. Flush toilet facilities are located nearby. The Group-A non-electric campsite, perfect for a large tent-camping group, provides three large tent pads, an oversized campfire ring, a stand-up grill, three picnic tables, a water hydrant and benches. The Group-B non-electric campsite accommodates up to seven motor-homes or camping units and six additional vehicles. This site provides two covered picnic shelters, two picnic tables, a campfire ring, a stand-up grill and benches. Group sites A and B are non-electric and a vault toilet is accessible to both sites. Call the Visitor Center for group camping reservations at (719) 738-2376. ge Rid Hogback Trail Clubhouse Cuerno Verde Trail r Pa Nine Hole Golf Course ry da un o kB nd Youth Fishing Pond Fishing Jettys Isla Martin Lake P o n d Horseshoe Lake (WAKELESS) Wildlife Area Viewing Blind Duck Ponds NO WAKE AREA Fishing Jetty Maintenance Area Pond Elevation 6,400 ft. LEGEND LEGEND Accesssible Entrance Station Playground Trail Head Amphitheater Fishing Access Restrooms Water Bird Watch Area Foot Trail RV Camping Boat Ramp Group Camping Self Service Station Hunting Boundary Dam Group Camping/Picnic Showers Park Boundary Dump Station Information Dumpster Swim Beach/Lap Lane Trail No Electrical Hookups Tent Camping Electrical Hookups Picnic Area Water-Skiing Beach 94 Hogback Trail Access Piñon Campground The following sites have tent pads: Loop A 23, 26, 29, 34, 37 Loop B 45, 47, 50, 51, 61 Loop C 67, 75, 76, 78 Loop D 86, 90, 93, 95, 98 LOOP B 52 53 LOOP A 51 28 26 30 25 29 33 34 36 55 22 54 23 31 32 24 56 47 49 38 37 39 91 88 87 100 LOOP D 90 89 101 86 85 102 84 83 79 45 82 78 76 46 43 61 60 80/81 74 75 77 44 LOOP C 72 73 57 58 92 99 71 62 64 65 67 69 66 41 35 95 97 98 48 50 93 96 Loop B remains open year-round for summer and winter camping opportunities. Note: the only restroom facility that remains open during the winter months is the vault toilet between sites 48 and 46. Electric The campground is within walking distance of Martin Lake, the Hogback Trail and a nine-hole public golf course adjacent to the park, allowing easy access for fishing, hiking and golfing. Each site is equipped with 20, 30, and 50 amp electric, a picnic table and fire grill. k bac 70 68 42 40 The following campsites are accessible: To Visitor Center To Horseshoe Reservior GROUP B Yucca Campground Non-electric Non-Electric RV site GROUP A walk-in site 18 6 4 5 To Visitor Center 1 Restrooms in Yucca Campground are vault toilets (no electricity or running water.) Potable water is available through hydrants situated around the campground. Site 13 is charged at the cost of two sites and may be reserved by calling the Visitor Center at 719-738-2376. 3 2 11 10 7 8 9 17 14 (Double Site) 13 19 20 16 21 12 one way 15