Regulations
Trinidad Lake State Park was built and is maintained
for your enjoyment. In the interest of safety and for
the preservation of your park, we must insist that you:
1. Keep all vehicles on designated roads and pull-offs.
Off-road driving can damage the resources and
wildlife habitats.
2. Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet to avoid
confrontations with people, other pets or wildlife.
3. Build fires only in grills and barbecues, not on
the ground.
4. Camp only in designated sites.
5. Avoid using fireworks.
6. Report any vandalism or littering to a Park Ranger.
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
Trinidad Lake
State Park
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
T
rinidad Lake State Park, nestled in the Southern
Colorado foothills of the Culebra Range of the
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is a 2,700-acre park
filled with wildlife and natural beauty. At an average
elevation of 6,300 feet, the lake, forest, hills and wetlands
of the park offer a wide variety of recreational activities.
Ten miles of trails wander through the pinon and
juniper forests at the park, which is part of the
Purgatoire River Valley. The park’s 800-acre lake
provides ample opportunities for boating and
fishing while individual and group picnic facilities
make getting together with family and friends a
memorable experience.
The Carpios Ridge Campground provides modern
facilities for overnight stops and longer stays for those
exploring Southern Colorado and Northern New
Mexico. The park is bordered by the Scenic Highway of
Legends and the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Four
of Southern Colorado’s finest museum complexes are
located in Trinidad just three miles east.
First Aid/Emergencies
Park rangers are trained to give first aid. In case
of emergency, go to or call the Visitor Center,
(719) 846-6951; the Las Animas County Sheriff,
(719) 846-2211; State Patrol, (719) 544-2424; or call 911.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the dam that
created Trinidad Lake as an irrigation and floodcontrol project in 1978. The park has been managed by
Colorado State Parks since 1980.
Passes & Permits
Visitors to Trinidad Lake State Park are required to
display a current Colorado State Parks Pass on their
vehicle windshield. A daily pass is valid from the day
purchased until noon the following day. An annual pass
is good at any Colorado State Park. Annual pass holders
with additional vehicles may purchase multiple passes
at a reduced fee. Passes are sold at the Visitor Center,
park entrances and self-service dispensers.
Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado DV plates
do not need a pass. Colorado seniors, 64 years of age or
older, qualify for the Aspen Leaf annual pass at a discounted
rate. In addition to a parks pass, campers are required to
purchase and display a camping permit at their campsite.
Trinidad Lake State Park
32610 Hwy. 12. Trinidad, CO 81082
(719) 846-6951 • E-mail: trinidad.lake@state.co.us
cpw.state.co.us
CPW_SETR_3/17
Fishing
Funded in part by Great
Outdoors Colorado through
Colorado Lottery proceeds.
Fishing is permitted anywhere on the lake except in
the boat launching and docking area. Species caught
at Trinidad Lake include rainbow and brown trout,
largemouth and smallmouth bass, channel catfish,
walleye, saugeye, crappie, bluegill, perch and wipers.
cpw.state.co.us
Camping
The 63-site Carpios Ridge Campground accommodates
RVs, trailers or tents and includes shared water taps,
electrical hook-up, laundry, showers and flush toilets.
Seven sites are full hook-up. Basic campsites are
available seasonally on the South Shore. It is illegal
to dump waste and sewage, including dishwater,
anywhere except into the dump station so please use
the facility conveniently located near the Carpios Ridge
Campground entrance.
Campsites may be reserved in advance by calling
1-800-678-CAMP (2267) or (303) 470-1144 in the
Denver metro area. Reservations may also be made
online at www.cpw.state.co.us.
Please, camp only in designated sites and display your
camping permit in the site marker. Checkout time is
noon. The campgrounds are patrolled for your safety
and to assure quiet hours after 10 p.m.
The 10-site South Shore Campground has non-electric
sites within walking distance of the lake with great
views of the lake and the Sangre de Cristo mountain
range. Facilities include vault toilets and a community
water hydrant.
Picnicking & Group Facilities
Picnicking is permitted throughout the park with
individual picnic shelters offered on a first-come, firstserved basis. Group picnic and camping facilities are
available for a fee and must be reserved. You may call the
Visitor Center at (719) 846-6951 for information, to request
a free brochure or to make a group area reservation.
Boating & Water Sports
A variety of water sports are possible at Trinidad Lake
including boat fishing, water-skiing, sailing and jet
skiing. Boaters are required to follow the Colorado
boating statutes and regulations which are available in
pamphlet form at the Visitor Center and park entrances
or online at www.cpw.state.co.us.
All boats must observe wakeless speeds around the boat
launch area, within 150 feet of shore fishermen and as
buoyed. Boats are not allowed within 300 feet of the
outlet structure or as buoyed.
The water level at Trinidad Lake can fluctuate.
Boaters are warned to be especially alert to submerged
hazards. Because of the changing water level, there is no
designated swim area and swimming is prohibited.
Handicap Accessible Areas
The Carpios Ridge Campground and picnic area
have reserved parking spaces, campsites adapted for
persons with disabilities and a half-mile hard-surfaced
interpretive trail. Restrooms, showers, picnic tables,
drinking fountains and grills are also accessible.
Interpretation
Interpretive displays are available throughout the park.
Interpretive programs are available at the amphitheater
from Memorial Day through Labor Day or by request
as staffing allows.
Trinidad Lake State Park
LEGEND
Accessible
Archery Range
A functional horno (beehive shaped adobe oven
used by the Spanish and Native American cultures
for cooking) and an archeological site featuring the
remains of Native American dwellings are located
close to the amphitheater. Interpretive signage is
provided at both of these structures to further explain
their history and uses.
7
A watchable wildlife area has been established in Long’s
Canyon, located in the southwest corner of the park.
This site features a three-quarter-mile self-guided
nature trail with two wildlife observation blinds
overlooking a pond and wetland area. A variety of
wildlife can be observed here including several different
species of birds. Long’s Canyon also contains a unique
geological feature called the KT boundary; interpretive
signing explains its significance. This site is accessible
via Highway 12 to the Madrid Bridge (see map).
Special interpretive and environmental education
programs can be arranged for school groups or other
organizations. Please call the Visitor Center at
(719) 846-6951 for more information.
Archery Range
The Trinidad Lake archery range will have 6 shooting
lanes from 10-60 yards
• Field points only(no fixed or mechanical broadheads)
• No Crossbows, and No Firearms allowed(this includes
bb guns, pellet guns, or air rifles)
• Range will be open sunrise-sunset
• 16 years of age or younger must be under direct adult
supervision
HIKING TRAILS
Park View Trail
County Road 18.3
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6
Sunset Point
Hiking & Nature Trails
Wildlife & Hunting
Trinidad Lake State Park supports a diverse
community of wildlife with mule deer, collared lizards,
cottontail rabbits and broad-tailed hummingbirds
being just some of the animals commonly seen. On
most summer nights, the lonely howl of the coyote
can be heard from the campground.
Hunting is permitted in posted areas of the park from
sunrise on the Tuesday after Labor Day until sunset
on the Friday before Memorial Day. It must occur
during legal seasons using only shotguns (loaded with
birdshot) or bow and arrow. Information on seasons
and regulations are available from a park ranger or at the
Visitor Center.
LOCATION MAP
Distance (miles) from:
Albuquerque
252
Amarillo
237
Colorado Springs
131
Denver
201
Pueblo
89
Four trails can be accessed from the Carpios Ridge area.
The half-mile Carpios Cove Trail leads visitors to the
west side of Carpios Cove. Circling the overlook, the
ADA-accessible Park View Trail offers a leisurely walk
among piñon and juniper with views of the lake and
Native artifacts. The one-mile self-guided Levsa Canyon
Trail loops back to the campground—perfect for a short,
informative hike. Avid hikers can take the Reilly Canyon
Trail four miles west towards Reilly Canyon and the
historic town of Cokedale.
Across the lake, the handicapped-accessible Sunset
Point Trail offers an easy walk to a picnic area and scenic
overlook. The 2.5-mile South Shore Trail takes hikers to
Long’s Canyon and seldom-explored park areas. Long’s
Canyon features a 0.75-mile self-guided nature trail
leading to two observation blinds overlooking a wetland.