Yampa RiverState Park - Colorado |
Yampa River State Park provides 13 access points for boaters along 134 miles (216 km) of the Yampa River from Hayden to the eastern boundary of Dinosaur National Monument. Walkways and hiking trails explore the river's canyons and riparian zones, surrounding rock formations, and natural habitats. A visitor center with a nature trail is located 17 miles (27 km) east of Craig.
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location
maps
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of Yampa Ranger District in Routt National Forest (NF). Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District in Routt National Forest (NF). Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
brochures
Guide to Colorado State Parks. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Guide to Colorado State Recreation Lands. Published by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Yampa River SP
https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/YampaRiver
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yampa_River_State_Park
Yampa River State Park provides 13 access points for boaters along 134 miles (216 km) of the Yampa River from Hayden to the eastern boundary of Dinosaur National Monument. Walkways and hiking trails explore the river's canyons and riparian zones, surrounding rock formations, and natural habitats. A visitor center with a nature trail is located 17 miles (27 km) east of Craig.
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
What Makes the Yampa River Unique
Visitor Information Center
Yampa River
State Park
The Yampa River ties together many features of the
Yampa Valley that make it unique and of statewide
significance. The Yampa River supports globally rare
plant communities as well as four endangered fish
species. This watershed has historically provided the
lifeline for farming and ranching in the Yampa Valley.
The river in Routt County is mostly private, while over
half of it in Moffat County traverses public lands.
Yampa River State Park visitor information center is
located on Highway 40 between Steamboat Springs
and Craig. From Steamboat, take Highway 40 west
approximately 27 miles to the Park Headquarters,
from Craig the Headquarters is approximately 17
miles east on Highway 40. The visitor information
center and campground are located in a meadow next
to the Yampa River surrounded by riparian wetlands.
The river is easily accessible from the campground
and offers fishing, river access, nature watching and a
convenient overnight campsite for boaters on the river.
The key to preserving the unique characteristics
of the Yampa River is RESPECT. As recreation
users and as private landowners, it is imperative to
respect one another, the animals and plant life, and
the landscape - all of which are supported by the
Yampa River. Each individual is responsible for
knowing where private and public lands are located.
The Yampa River Legacy Project has provided this
unique opportunity to serve as a statewide
model of cooperation between recreation and
agriculture. Colorado Parks and Wildlife
has developed this brochure to help
visitors use this valuable resource
responsibly.
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
Elkhead reservoir is located 13 miles northwest
of the Yampa River State Park Headquarters. This
900-acre lake offers camping, hiking and boating
with more of an uncrowded experience.
The campground offers 35 electrical sites and 15
non-electrical sites. Flush toilets, coin operated
showers and laundry are available in the camper
services building which is located 200 yards from
most campsites. Water hydrants and vault toilets are
centrally located throughout the campground and
a dump station is available for your convenience.
Reservations can be made by calling
1-800-678-CAMP(2267), (303) 470-1144 or online at
www.cpw.state.co.us
The campground also offers a 1.25-mile nature trail
with interpretive displays. Tipis and group campsites
are available for nightly rental through the park office.
A group picnic area (with nearby playground) is also
available by reservation. For more information call
(970) 276-2061.
Our Mission
To protect and enhance the ecological
health of the Yampa River and the
productive agricultural lands it
supports while providing appropriate
recreational opportunities.
Yampa River State Park
6185 Highway 40 • PO Box 759
Hayden, CO 81639
(970) 276-2061 • Fax: (970) 276-2063
E-mail: yampa.river@state.co.us
cpw.state.co.us
Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
CPW_RMYA_3/17
cpw.state.co.us
Public River Access Sites
(All sites require a State Parks pass unless otherwise indicated.)
The sites and directions below match the numbers
indicated on the map. Please note that the linear
bar at the bottom of the centerfold map denotes
the river miles between public access sites. It is the
responsibility of the river user to know where he/she
is and what type of land ownership he/she is passing
through. Often during a boating season, the river
becomes impassible due to low water. The sections
that remain floatable take many hours to navigate.
Please plan accordingly for your trips.
Sites that are managed by Colorado Parks and
Wildlife require a daily or annual vehicle pass. In
addition, a camping permit is required at specific
sites. Daily passes and camping permits are available
at self-service dispensers at each site. All passes are
also available at the park headquarters near Hayden.
Site
1
Site ##1
Pump Station is
located approximately
five miles east of Hayden
off U.S. Highway 40
on the north side of the
highway. Overnight
camping is not allowed.
The Public Service
Company water intake
structure is located
next to the access site.
Please do not trespass
on the Public Service
Company’s intake
structure property. A boat
launch is available, and
this site has vault toilets.
CAUTION: A water
diversion exists between
sites #1 and #2 (just
before the Headquarters
access). There is a boat
chute on the right side of
the diversion.
Site
2
Site##2
Yampa River State
Park Headquarters
is located 2 miles west
of Hayden off Highway
40 on the south side
of the highway. The
headquarters site
has boating access,
campsites, a camper
services building with
showers/laundry, a
Visitor Center and a
nature trail. Camping
reservations are
recommended during
busy summer months.
Site
3
Site ##3
Site
5
Site ##5
Moffat Cou
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
C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
W I L D L I F E
2020 Colorado State
Recreation Lands
INSIDE: STATE FISH UNITS, STATE WILDLIFE AREAS, STATE TRUST LANDS, STATE PARKS
cpw.state.co.us
ONLINE FEATURES
Check out more Colorado Parks & Wildlife on our
VIMEO & YOUTUBE CHANNELS
LINKS TO MAPS
MAKE CAMPING & HUNTING RESERVATIONS
ONLINE!
STATE WILDLIFE AREAS
STATE FISHING WATERS
STATE TRUST LANDS
STATE PARKS
Cherry Creek State Park © Nora Logue
VIDEOS
CHECK OUT THE 360 VIDEOS OF
COLORADO’S STATE PARKS!
101 PLACES TO TAKE A KID FISHING
#TAKEAKIDFISHING
G.E.M. TRAIL NOW OPEN
IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS!
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Printed for free distribution by:
WHAT’S NEW: 2020................................................1
cpw.state.co.us
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (CPW)
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ■ 303-297-1192
RESERVATIONS......................................................1
OUR MISSION: The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to perpetuate the wildlife
resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system and to provide enjoyable
and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and
future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.
■ Abbreviation key................................................................................1
STATE FISH UNITS (SFUs)........................................2
■ What is an SFU?..................................................................................2
■ SFU properties & regulations..............................................................2
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE DIRECTOR
Dan Prenzlow
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEMBERS, as of July 2020
STATE WILDLIFE AREAS (SWAs)......................... 3–29
Marvin McDaniel, Chair
Carrie Besnette Hauser, Vice-Chair
Marie Haskett, Secretary
Taishya Adams
Betsy Blecha
Charles Garcia
Dallas May
■ What is an SWA?.................................................................................3
■ SWA access rules................................................................................3
■ SWA properties & regulations..................................................... 4–29
STATE TRUST LANDS (STLs)
PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM.............................. 30–51
■ What are trust lands? What is the STL public access program?.............30
■ State trust lands FAQs/access rules...................................................30
■ State trust lands public access properties & regulations............ 31–51
REGULATION BROCHURE EDITOR
Chelsea Harlan
PRINTED
STATE PARKS................................................. 52–59
The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW) receives federal financial assistance
from multiple bureaus within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Under Title VI
of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (as amended), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the Age
Discrimination Act of 1975 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S.
Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibit discrimination on the basis of race,
color, religion, national origin, gender, disability or age. In addition, CPW adheres to all
antidiscrimination laws of the state of Colorado. For more information on how to request
an accommodation or to file a grievance, please visit cpw.state.co.us/accessibility.
MAPS............................................................ 60–65
■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Northeast ..........60
■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Southeast ..........61
■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Northwest .........62
■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Southwest ........63
■ NEW State fish units, wildlife areas,
trust lands & parks — Central close-up.............................64
■ Game management units (GMUs)....................................................65
NOTICE: Laws and regulations in this brochure are paraphrased for easier understanding
and are intended only as a guide. Complete Colorado wildlife statutes and regulations are
available at CPW offices listed below and online: cpw.state.co.us/regulations
CPW REGIONAL AND AREA OFFICE LOCATIONS
ADMINISTRATION
1313 Sherman St., #618
Denver, 80203
303-297-1192 (M–F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. MT)
LANDS INDEX BY COUNTY............................... 66–73
■ State fish units, state wildlife areas, state trust lands, state parks
GET THE BROCHURE ONLINE: cpw.state.co.us/rec-lands
Send us your outdoor photos and stories for a chance to
be featured on a brochure cover or CPW's online blog!
HUNTER.TESTIMONIALS@STATE.CO.US
COVER:
▶ Gone fishing at Sylvan Lake State Park. © Dustin Doskocil for CPW
OTHER PHOTOS, LEFT TO RIGHT:
▶ Mountain biking at Trinidad Lake State Park.
© Thomas Kimmell for CPW
C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
INSIDE: STATE FISH UNITS, STAT
WHAT'S NEW
C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
LICENSES
W I L D L I F E
2021 Colorado
Fishing
SEASON: MARCH 1, 2021–MARCH 31, 2022
cpw.state.co.us
2021 FISHING BROCHURE CORRECTION
UPDATED: APRIL 19, 2021
Please see the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at cpw.state.co.us/regulations for complete regulation information.
NOTE: THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE BROCHURE HAS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, INCLUDING ANY CORRECTIONS.
PAGE(S)
CORRECTION
AS PRINTED IN BROCHURE
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
PAGE 1
The qualifying age for applying
for a senior lifetime low-income
fishing license was incorrectly
listed as 65 and older at the
time of publication.
The correct information is:
Senior lifetime low-income
fishing licenses are available
for Colorado residents age 64
and older.
Go online for full eligibility
requirements: cpw.state.
co.us
The online version of the brochure
has been updated with this
correction.
page 1
2021 FISHING BROCHURE CORRECTION
UPDATED: MARCH 12, 2021
Please see the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at cpw.state.co.us/regulations for complete regulation information.
NOTE: THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE BROCHURE HAS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, INCLUDING ANY CORRECTIONS.
PAGE(S)
CORRECTION
AS PRINTED IN BROCHURE
BACK PAGE
BACK
COVER
The contest start date for Take a
Friend Fishing was incorrect at
the time of publication.
The correct information is:
The contest starts APRIL 1,
2021!
Go online for contest
rules and how to enter:
cpw.state.co.us/
takeafriend
The online version of the brochure
has been updated with this
correction.
back cover
ONLINE FEATURES
Check out more Colorado Parks & Wildlife on our
VIMEO & YOUTUBE CHANNELS
VIDEOS
FISHING FOR HIP HOP:
COLORADO STYLE
FISHING FUNDS CONSERVATION
101 PLACES
TO TAKE A KID FISHING
© CPW
GET THE CPW FISHING APPS:
The CPW Fishing app can help
you discover over 1,300 fishing
locations, check local conditions,
read up on regulations and more!
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same insects where you’re fishing!
CO OUTDOORS “QUICK TIP”:
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CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Printed for free distribution by:
WHAT’S NEW: 2021................................................ 1
cpw.state.co.us
LICENSE INFORMATION...................................... 1–2
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (CPW)
6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ■ 303-297-1192
■ License & Habitat Stamp fees........................................................................1
■ What you need to buy a fishing license; license requirements......................1
■ Residency requirements; Habitat Stamps; anglers with disabilities..............2
OUR MISSION: The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to perpetuate the wildlife
resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system and to provide enjoyable
and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and
future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources.
GENERAL INFORMATION.................................... 3–7
Dan Prenzlow
■ Fishery programs: Gold Medal Waters; Wild Trout; stream surveys.................3
■ State records program: Records by Weight; Records by Length......................4
■ State Records by Weight award table.............................................................4
■ Master Angler program; award lengths.........................................................5
■ Help improve your fisheries............................................................................5
■ Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).....................................................................6
■ Fishing terms glossary...................................................................................7
■ Online fishing information resources.............................................................7
FISHING LAWS................................................. 8–10
■ Legal fishing methods....................................................................................8
■ Special conditions & restrictions...............................................................8−9
■ Statewide bag & possession limits...............................................................10
■ MAP: Wiper/white bass & walleye/saugeye bag limits................................10
SPECIAL REGULATIONS: FISHING WATERS........11–39
■ MAP: Upper Arkansas River.........................................................................12
■ MAP: Blue River Basin.................................................................................13
■ MAP: Middle Colorado & Eagle Rivers..........................................................15
■ MAP: Upper Colorado River — Headwaters to Radium...............................16
■ MAP: Conejos & Alamosa River Drainages...................................................18
■ MAP: Upper Gunnison Basin — Taylor Park Res. to Blue Mesa Res..............19
■ MAP: NEW North Fork Gunnison Basin — Hotchkiss to McClure