Lathrop State Park is located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Walsenburg. The park features two lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, that offer fishing for tiger muskie (46-inch, 25-pound examples have been caught here), rainbow trout, bass, catfish, northern pike, blue gill, saugeye, and wipers.
The park also offers a beach, boating, water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing, picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and a nine-hole golf course.
Map of the San Carlos Ranger District (North) of Pike and San Isabel National Forests in the USFS Rocky Mountain Region 2 in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of San Carlos Ranger District in San Isabel National Forest (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Colorado Fishing Guide. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Lathrop SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Lathrop
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lathrop_State_Park
Lathrop State Park is located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Walsenburg. The park features two lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, that offer fishing for tiger muskie (46-inch, 25-pound examples have been caught here), rainbow trout, bass, catfish, northern pike, blue gill, saugeye, and wipers.
The park also offers a beach, boating, water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing, picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and a nine-hole golf course.
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 no
COLORADO
PA R K S
&
WILDLIFE
Your Guide to
Colorado’s 41
State Parks
2018 Edition
cpw.state.co.us
CAMPING RESERVATIONS • 1-800-244-5613 • cpw.state.co.us
i
Welcome to Your State Parks!
Wherever you go in Colorado, there’s
Cheyenne Mountain
a state park waiting to welcome
State Park
you. Mountains or prairies, rivers or
forests, out in the country or next to
the city… Colorado’s 41 state parks are
as diverse as the state itself, and they
offer something for everyone. Take a
hair-raising whitewater river trip, or
kick back in a lawn chair and watch
the sunset. Enjoy a family picnic, cast
a line in the water, take a hike, ride a
horse, try snowshoeing or discover
geocaching. From Eastern Plains
parks at 3,800 feet to high-mountain
parks at 9,500, the network of state
parks offers a wealth of activities
for busy people of all ages, or the
chance to do nothing at all. You can play on land or on water. On
a high peak or on the prairie. In the country or the city. In spring,
summer, winter or fall.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park
State parks are great places for families. There are plenty of
activities for families to enjoy together such as boating, hiking or
picnicking, as well as organized nature walks, talks and events.
Junior Ranger programs, activity backpacks, kid-friendly hikes
and fishing ponds for kids are among the many offerings for
youth. From toddler to teen and adult to senior, every family
member can enjoy their activity of choice, then come together to
share a meal and stories around the campfire.
Whether you’re an active
outdoor recreationist
or prefer to spend time
watching clouds go by,
you’ll enjoy the special
moments waiting for you
in the state parks.
Rifle Gap State Park
Cover photos:
Large photo: State Forest State Park; lower left: Pearl Lake State Park; lower center: Elkhead State Park;
lower right: Lory State Park
Plan Your Visit
Colorado’s state parks are open every day of the year, weather
permitting. Day-use areas are generally open from 5 a.m. to
10 p.m., and some parks may have closed gates after hours.
Campgrounds are open 24 hours a day. Contact individual
parks for hours of operation. Check our website for seasonal or
maintenance closures: cpw.state.co.us
Entrance Passes
All Colorado state parks charge an entrance fee. Cost of a daily
pass may vary by park ($7–$9). A pass covers all occupants of a
vehicle and is valid until noon the day after purchase. Some parks
may charge a per-person fee for cyclists and walk-ins. Fees are used
to help pay operating costs. Cherry Creek State Park charges an
additional fee for the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority.
Annual Pass
Who doesn’t love a deal? And the state parks annual pass is a
great one. For just one low price, the annual pass lets you enjoy
all 41 state parks for unlimited visits for 12 months from date of
purchase. That’s all the parks. That’s
unlimited times. The annual pass
pays for itself in as few as 10 visits.
If you’re a Colorado resident who’s
64 years or older, there’s even a
further discounted Aspen Leaf
annual pass. There are also passes
for disabled and income-eligible
residents. For details and to purchase a pass,
visit a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office, state park or buy
online: cpw.state.co.us
Extend Your Stay
Make more of your state park visit
by staying overnight. Bring your
tent or RV, spend a cozy night in a
cabin, camp in a tipi or discover a
comfortable, year-round alternative
State Forest State Park
to traditional camping with a yurt.
All together, the state parks have
more than 4,000 campsites and 58 cabins and yurts. Almost 300
campsites are ADA accessible. Many parks offer campsites or cabins
for large groups. Heated cabins and yurts make a park getaway
suitable any season of the year.
Camping Reservations
Summer weekends fill up quickly so advance reservations for
overnight stays are recommended. Reservations can be made six
months to three days ahead of arrival.
Reserve online: cpw.state.co.us
Toll Free: 1-800-244-5613
A nonrefundable reservation fee applies to bookings, and visitors
must purchase a daily or annual entrance pass in addition to
paying camping and reservation fees. Unreserved sites are
available on a first-come, first-served basis.
1
What Can I Do There?
Colorado’s state parks are places to have fun, get away, recreate and
re-create. Here are some park activities to help you do that:
Fishing
Top-notch fishing awaits anglers in 37 state parks across Colorado.
Think Gold Medal Waters and trophy fish. A valid fishing license
is required for all anglers 16 years and older. Licenses and our
annual Colorado Fishing regulations brochure are available online,
at most parks and at CPW authorized sales agents.
Water Sports
Many state parks are built around a lake or
Crawford
waterway, which means boating and other water
State Park
sports are among the headliners. Larger parks
offer boat rentals and full-service marinas. Any
boat with a motor or sail operated in Col