Vega State Park is in Mesa County, Colorado in the United States. Vega Reservoir is a fishing destination and is located at an elevation of 7,696 feet (2,346 m). Year-round recreational activities at Vega State Park include boating, hiking, snow mobiling and camping.
Vega State Park is a largely grassy, meadow-like area that surrounds the 925 acres (374 ha) Vega Reservoir. The land at the lake shore is a wetland. The most common mammals found at the park are mule deer, elk, and marmots. Other mammals include cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, coyote, beaver and chipmunks. The lake is home to several species of trout including rainbow, brook, cutbow and cutthroat. Moose, which have been reintroduced to the area are occasionally spotted at the park,[8] as are bobcats, blue grouse, black bear and wild turkey.
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of Paonia Ranger District South in Gunnison National Forest (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Colorado Fishing Guide. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Vega SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Vega
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega_State_Park
Vega State Park is in Mesa County, Colorado in the United States. Vega Reservoir is a fishing destination and is located at an elevation of 7,696 feet (2,346 m). Year-round recreational activities at Vega State Park include boating, hiking, snow mobiling and camping.
Vega State Park is a largely grassy, meadow-like area that surrounds the 925 acres (374 ha) Vega Reservoir. The land at the lake shore is a wetland. The most common mammals found at the park are mule deer, elk, and marmots. Other mammals include cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, coyote, beaver and chipmunks. The lake is home to several species of trout including rainbow, brook, cutbow and cutthroat. Moose, which have been reintroduced to the area are occasionally spotted at the park,[8] as are bobcats, blue grouse, black bear and wild turkey.
Camping
Vega State Park provides visitors with several camping
options. Most campsites are within easy walking distance of
the shoreline. Early Settlers Campground offers 34 pullthrough and back-in campsites, with electrical and water
hookups, flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Aspen
Grove Campground has 28 pull-through and back-in sites
with centrally located water pumps and vault toilets. Oak
Point Campground provides 37 pull-through and back in
sites with centrally located water pumps and vault toilets. For
a more unique experience, Pioneer Campground offers 10
walk-in tent sites and five rustic cabins, with centrally located
water pumps and vault toilets. Campgrounds are open during
the spring, summer and fall months. An RV dump station
is located near Early Settlers Campground, just north of the
Visitor Center. Cabins are available year round. To reserve
a campsite or a cabin, call 1-800-678- 2267 if outside the
Denver area, or 303-470-1144 in the Denver area, or visit
Vega on the web at www.cpw.state.co.us
Corrals & Pets
Horse corrals are adjacent to the cabins on USFS Road #262
that leads to the Grand Mesa National Forest. Corrals can
be reserved by calling the Visitor Center (970)487-3407.
Additional fees apply for use of the corrals and bringing a pet
to the cabins. There are no fees for pets at the campsites but
please keep them attended, under control, on a six foot leash
and be sure to clean up their waste.
Picnicking
Vega offers several quiet day-use picnic areas overlooking
the lake. Located adjacent to Aspen Grove campground, the
covered Meadows Group Picnic Area provides a beautiful
setting for family reunions, weddings and other events. This
handicap accessible area will accommodate 100 people and
includes: a huge BBQ grill, serving tables, water, electricity,
picnic tables, and a large grass field for sport activities. To
reserve up to one year in advance, call the Visitor Center at
(970)487-3407.
Fishing & Hunting
Vega’s two-mile long reservoir is the largest body of water
in the Grand Valley. A Colorado Fishing License is required
Wildlife
Easily observable wildlife include: marmots, mule deer,
chipmunks, weasels, porcupines, and foxes. Rarer sightings
include: black bear, beavers, elk and moose. Over 100 species
of birds share Vega’s habitat including waterfowl, ospreys,
hawks, hummingbirds, bluebirds, blue
grouse, and wild turkeys. Educational
hikes and programs are offered during
the summer and throughout the year
by calling in advance.
Motorized Recreation
The OHV/snowmobile staging area
is located in the southwest corner of
the park. It provides parking with easy access to the Grand
Mesa National Forest via US Forest Service Road 262 (Park
Creek Road). Although snowmobile operation is permitted
in most areas of the park, the operation of four-wheelers
(OHV) is not permitted. Only campers at Early Settlers and
Pioneer cabin areas are allowed to drive their OHV from
their site to USFS Road 262. Other campground users are
required to trailer their OHVs to the staging area. OHVs
and snowmobiles must have a current registration and tow
vehicles are required to have a state parks pass while using the
staging area.
Non-Park Accomodations
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
A restaurant is located adjacent to the park. Commercial,
religious, and medical facilities can be found in Collbran
12 miles west of the park.
Vega has two all-terrain, non electric, wheel chairs, free of
charge for anyone needing help with access to trails or the
shoreline. Please inquire at the Visitors Center for more
information.
Vega
State Park
Friendly Reminders
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
All-terrain Wheelchairs
In the interest of public safety and
park preservation, we ask that you:
1. Obey posted speed limits &
keep vehicles on designated
roads and parking areas.
2. Place trash and recycling in proper containers.
3. Build fires in grills provided or portable grills.
4. Camp only in designated campsites.
5. Respect quiet hours after 10 PM.
First Aid
First aid can be obtained at the
Entrance Station, Visitor Center,
or from any Park Ranger. An
ambulance with EMTs is located
in Collbran. For medical or law
enforcement emergencies
dial 911.
Boating & Water Sports
Vega’s vast reservoir offers opportunities for sailing, canoeing,
water-skiing, and jet-skiing. Swimming is not permitted. Boat
ramps are available at day use areas located near Early Settlers,
Oak Point and Island campgrounds. Motorboats and sailboats
must be registered and inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species
at the Entrance Station or Visitor Center before launching.
Colorado boating statutes and regulations apply.
Winter Recreation
Come and enjoy Vega’s Winter Wonderland! Vega offers
some of the best areas for ice-fishing, cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The rustic cabins can be
reserved year-round and are located near USFS Road 262
with access to the Grand Mesa National Forest.
Vega State Park
P.O. Box
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