Staunton State Park is Park and Jefferson counties, located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Conifer, Colorado. The park includes dramatic rock outcroppings, several streams and a waterfall.
The park's recreational offerings include rock climbing, multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, stream and pond fishing, and picnicking.
Map of Echo Lake Campground and Echo Lake & Captain Mountain Trailhead in Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of the South Platte Ranger District in Pike National Forest (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Colorado Fishing Guide. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Staunton SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Staunton
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staunton_State_Park
Staunton State Park is Park and Jefferson counties, located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Conifer, Colorado. The park includes dramatic rock outcroppings, several streams and a waterfall.
The park's recreational offerings include rock climbing, multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, stream and pond fishing, and picnicking.
CPW_HPST_3/17
Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
cpw.state.co.us
cpw.state.co.us
12102 S. Elk Creek Road • Pine, Colorado 80470
(303) 816-0912 • E-mail: staunton.park@state.co.us
Staunton State Park
Help Protect Your Park
Directions
Frances H. Staunton asks you, as her beneficiary,
to enjoy this land—and protect it. Please:
• Stay on marked trails and share the
multi-use trail.
• Keep your pets on a leash no longer than
6 feet and clean up after them.
• Grill and cook in designated areas only. Be
sure your fire is out before you leave.
• Climb without bolting or fixed protection.
• Carry out all trash and food. Left behind,
it can be harmful to wildlife.
•R
eport problems or hazards to a park ranger.
A copy of full park regulations is available at
the entrance station.
From Denver: Take US Highway 285 south
to Shaffers Crossing, about 6 miles west of
Conifer. Turn north on Elk Creek Road and
follow the signs 1.5 miles to the park entrance.
Golden Banner
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
Shaffers Crossing
Conifer
Staunton
State Park
E-470
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
S
taunton State Park is the legacy of Frances
H. Staunton. As her beneficiaries, present
and future generations are entrusted with
this land—to enjoy, protect,
and treasure as she did.
Frances H. Staunton’s parents homesteaded
this site around the turn of the 20th century,
established Staunton Ranch, and gradually
expanded it from 160 to 1,720 acres. Frances
cherished the land, maintaining it in its nearpristine condition throughout her life. Before
her death in 1989, she donated it to future
generations as a state park. She required in her
will that the land “…be preserved, in perpetuity,
for public benefit, as a natural wilderness-type
park...typifying Colorado’s most beautiful
mountain forest and meadow region.”
The park is a
mosaic of low
grasslands, rocky
foothills, soaring
granite cliffs,
and lush stream
corridors.
Staunton Cabin
Dramatic Elk
Falls drops nearly 100 feet into North Elk
Creek and spectacular Lions Head stands tall
as the park’s rocky sentry. The park’s history of
human uses includes ranching, the Staunton
family retreat, a turn-of-the-20th century saw
mill, and a sportsman’s club.
The Staunton Ranch is the heart of the park.
Later acquisitions expanded the park to
approximately 3,908 acres. These include the
historic Elk Falls, Davis Ranches, property
owned by former Colorado State Senator Alan
Dines and by Mary Coyle Chase, Colorado’s
first Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and
author of “Harvey.” The park will be developed
in phases over the next few years, so visit often
to see more natural wonders and enjoy more
recreational opportunities.
Staunton
State Park
Co Rd 73
Evergreen
Denver
70
Golden
70
Location Map
Trails
Habitat Variety
From high grassy meadows at 8,100 feet,
to soaring granite cliffs over 10,000 feet,
the park’s geology, soils, water features, and
climate create a rich variety of habitats—and
make Staunton State Park an excellent outdoor
classroom. Mixed conifer forests and riparian
areas support the
highest levels of
tree, plant, and
wildlife diversity.
Grazing elk
favor the aspen
and conifer/
aspen forests.
Montane grasslands are a tapestry of native
wildflowers and grasses (and their pollinators).
Wet meadow systems support abundant plant
and wildlife communities and contribute to
the health of the watershed. Depending on the
season, sharp-eyed visitors may see yellowbellied marmots, tufted-ear Abert’s squirrels,
coyotes, or wild turkeys. Check the website for
scheduled programs about the park’s natural
resources and history.
Recreation Resources
Staunton is a day-use only park. Recreation
opportunities abound year-round for visitors
of all ages and abilities,
including picnicking,
birdwatching, wildlife
viewing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country
skiing, biking, horseback riding, and rock
climbing. Overnight
camping is planned
in later phases of park
development.
There’s a trail suitable
for every visitor who
wants to experience
the park up close and
personal—on foot, by
bike, or on horseback.
Trails take you to every
part of the park. Take
a family nature walk
to Davis Ponds. Ride
your bike or horse to
the Old Mill Site or Elk
Falls Overlook. Check
with the park for trail
conditions and seasonal closures.
Share the Trail
Staunton State Park trails,
hiking only and multi-use,
are clearly marked, so it’s easy
to find the right trail type for
you. Share the trail and respect
other users by:
• Staying on the trail. Shortcutting
destroys vegetation and increases erosion.
• Moving to the uphill side of the trail to let others
pass.
• Alerting other users
before you pass them.
• Admiring wildflowers
and rocks, but leaving
them for others to
enjoy.
• Keeping your pets on a
leash at all times.
CR
elev. 9150 ft.
elev. 9450 ft.
1.1 miles
2.5 miles
0.7 miles
0.9 miles
2.15 miles
0.35 miles
1.0 miles
4.5 miles
2.5 miles
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