Ridgway State Park is located in Ouray County, Colorado. The park is 21 miles southeast of Montrose, 14 miles northeast of Ouray, it is also 4 miles north of the town of Ridgway and 312 miles southwest of Denver. The current wildlife consists of deer, coyotes, rabbits, and elk. Due to the park's variety of animal life, the park is used as a hunting ground although hunting opportunities are extremely limited due to proximity to developed areas.
Tails map of the RAT Mountain Bike Trails of the Ridgway Trail System in Colorado. Published by the Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association (COPMOBA).
Colorado Fishing Guide. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Ridgway SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Ridgway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridgway_State_Park
Ridgway State Park is located in Ouray County, Colorado. The park is 21 miles southeast of Montrose, 14 miles northeast of Ouray, it is also 4 miles north of the town of Ridgway and 312 miles southwest of Denver. The current wildlife consists of deer, coyotes, rabbits, and elk. Due to the park's variety of animal life, the park is used as a hunting ground although hunting opportunities are extremely limited due to proximity to developed areas.
Enjoy quality recreation
services provided by the
following licensed businesses:
GUIDED FISHING:
RIGS FLY SHOP & GUIDE SERVICE
(888) 626-4460 • www.fishrigs.com
Uncompahgre ~ San Miguel ~ Dolores
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
Ridgway
State Park
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
TELLURIDE ANGLER
(800) 831-6230 • www.tellurideoutside.com
W
elcome to one of the most magnificent
parks in America, Ridgway State Park.
Nestled at the base of the spectacular
San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado,
Ridgway State Park is a year-round outdoor
recreation paradise. Stretching nearly five miles
into the Uncompahgre River Valley, Ridgway State
Park is a mecca for boaters, anglers and swimmers.
The park offers three campgrounds, each with a
unique atmosphere and charm, and outstanding
facilities for comfort and convenience. All the
recreation sites have easy bicycle access. Natural
surface trails pass through the pinyon/ juniper
forests and onto mesas offering spectacular views
of the surrounding mountain peaks.
Passes and Permits
CIMARRON CREEK
All vehicles entering the park are required to
display a current Colorado State Parks vehicle pass.
Daily or annual vehicle passes are available, visit
the state park website at cpw.state.co.us for more
information about vehicle passes. Camping permits
are sold separately and are required in addition to
vehicle passes. Information about vehicle passes and
camping permits is also available at park entrance
stations and the visitor center. Daily vehicle passes
and camping permits are also available at selfservice dispensers at park entrances.
(970) 249-0408 • www.cimarroncreek.com
SAN MIGUEL ANGLERS
(970)728-4427 • sanmiguelanglers.com
TELLURIDE FLY FISHERS
(970)728-4440 • tellurideflyfishers.com,
WEEKEND WARRIORS
(970)209-6495 • weekendwarriorsoutdoors.com
WHITEWATER RAFTING AND
BOAT RENTALS:
RIGS FLY SHOP & GUEST SERVICE
(888) 626-4460 • www.fishrigs.com
Rafting • On-site boat rentals
cpw.state.co.us
Project History
Settlement of the Uncompahgre River Valley
occurred following the mining boom of the 1880s.
Early farmers and ranchers soon recognized the need
to augment the river’s flow with a dependable source
of summer irrigation water. In 1909, the 5.8-mile
Gunnison Tunnel was completed to divert water from
the Gunnison River to the Uncompahgre Valley.
However, as early as the 1940s, interest developed in
storing spring and summer snowmelt from the upper
Uncompahgre River for later irrigation use.
At about the same time, a plan was being developed
to control the flow of the huge Colorado River and
some of its major tributaries. In 1956, the Colorado
River Storage Project, one of the most complex and
extensive river developments in the world, became a
reality. The Dallas Creek Project (Ridgway Reservoir)
was authorized in 1968. The dam was completed by
the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1987.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation involvement did not
end with the completion of the dam. Studies indicated
the need for a water-based recreation facility south of
Montrose. Federal funding continued for eight years
and paid for all recreational development in the park.
Today, partners in the project are the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, the Tri-County Water Conservancy
District, which manages water distribution, and
Colorado Parks & Wildlife, which manages the
recreation facilities.
Ridgway has three picturesque campgrounds:
Dakota Terraces, Elk Ridge and Pa-Co-Chu-Puk.
A camper services
building in each
campground
provides hot
pay showers,
laundromat,
vending machines
and a playground.
Dakota Terraces
is located within easy walking distance of the
swim beach and features 76 campsites with electric
hookups, nearby water, concrete pads, tables,
cooking grills and fire rings. Dakota Terraces
affords excellent views of both the San Juan and
Cimarron Ranges. A trailer dump station is
available.
For those who enjoy camping, but don’t have a
tent or a motor home, Dakota Terraces features
three yurts. Our yurts are circular tents made of
vinyl-impregnated canvas surrounding a wooden
lattice, floor and ceiling. The yurts have electricity,
heat, and sleep up to six people. They are available
for rent year-round on a reservation or first-come,
first-serve basis.
Elk Ridge, our most popular campground, is
located in a pinyon-juniper forest with excellent
shade at most sites. Some sites provide panoramic
views of the San Juan Mountains. The 98 campsites
at Elk Ridge offer electric hookups, nearby water,
concrete pads, tables, cooking grills and fire rings.
Ten campsites are set aside for walk-in tent camping
only (no electricity provided).
Full utility (water/sewer/electric) hookups
are featured at 81 campsites at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk
located next to the scenic Uncompahgre River.
A level concrete pad makes for a quick set-up,
and each site has a table, cooking grill and fire
ring. Fifteen walk-in tent sites are available
across the river.
For campground reservations, call
(800) 678-CAMP (22
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