Park Activities
Biking
Most trails located in Mancos State Park are single-track and suitable for mountain bike use. Rain or snow can make trails unsuitable for biking. Mancos trails connect to numerous U.S. Forest trails and the Denver-to-Durango Colorado Trail.
Nearby mountain bike trails include Phil’s World (near Cortez) and Boggy Draw (near Dolores). See the Trails page for complete trail descriptions in Mancos State Park.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:30 AM)
Birding
Mancos is a great place to view a variety of birds throughout the year. Bird lists are available at the Visitor Center.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 9:43 AM)
Boating
Boating is opening soon for the 2024 season. Jackson Gulch Reservoir (217 acre lake) at Mancos State Park is a great place for hand-powered crafts such as kayaks, canoes and sailboats, as well as motorized boats, and the facility includes a very nice concrete boat ramp for launching virtually any sized craft. Jackson Gulch is a “wakeless” lake so boaters cannot create a wake here. The boat ramp closes in mid-Oct. until the ice leaves the lake in the spring.
Boats must have a valid registration from Colorado or your home state. Colorado registrations are valid from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. You can register your boat at any Parks and Wildlife Office including our Visitor Center.
ANS (Aquatic Nuisance Species) inspections are required on all trailered boats before launching. Someone is available to do inspections from 8 AM to 4:00 PM, 7 days a week.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 9:47 AM)
Cabins and Yurts
Yurts are open and available for reservation. Mancos State park offers two yurts for year-round rental (reservations are required).
These yurts have screened doors & windows, ceiling fan, and are heated in the cooler weather.
For more information, see the Mancos yurts page.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:18 AM)
Camping
Camping is open. A reservation is required, which you can make right up until your booking date pending availability. Most of Mancos State Park’s 32 campsites sit in the shadow of a mature Ponderosa pine forest on the south side of the reservoir.
Camping reservations are required.
Reservations can be made the day you plan to arrive at the park or up to six months in advance.
- All campsites have fire rings and picnic tables.
- There are vault toilets and drinking water but no electrical hookups.
- A dump station is located at the exit of the main campground.
- There are no shower facilities in the park.
- Bathrooms do not have running water. Please bring disinfectant for your hands with you.
See the Mancos camping for more information.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 9:46 AM)
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the park as long as they are on a six foot or shorter leash at all times and their waste is properly disposed of. Dogs are not allowed in the lake.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:33 AM)
Fishing
Jackson provides quality fishing opportunity year-round for various species of trout as well as yellow perch. Check out the Conditions page for updated fishing report information. Fishing licenses are available for purchase in the Visitor Center, however, Visitor Center is not staffed in the Winter. Please obtain at other nearby locations if coming in the Winter months.
(Updated: 1/24/2024 9:08 AM)
Group Picnicking
The park offers a covered group picnic area with drinking water nearby, 2 barbeque stands, horseshoe pits, and other amenities. The group picnic area can be rented for $50/day (6am - 10pm). Horseshoes are provided by the park. Please check them out at the Visitor Center.
Reservations can be made online at cpwshop.com.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:23 AM)
Hiking
Hikers will enjoy the 5.5-mile system of trails at Mancos State Park. Mancos trails connect to numerous U.S. Forest trails and the Denver-to-Durango Colorado Trail. See the Mancos Trails page for complete trail descriptions.
Check out this trail running video!
(Updated: 4/23/2024 10:02 AM)
Horseback Riding
Mancos trails are popular for horseback riders. The park trails also connect to numerous U.S. Forest trails (and the Denver-to-Durango Colorado Trail). Other area trails and information for horsemen can be found at mesaverdehorsemen.com.
For complete trail description in the state park please see the Trails page.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:33 AM)
Hunting
Although there are no hunting opportunities inside Mancos State Park, the park offers a great basecamp for turkey, deer, elk, and other hunting just outside the park in the San Juan National Forest. Very high quality elk, deer, and bear hunting opportunities are offered by limited drawing at the nearby Lone Mesa State Park. Contact our office for more information at (970) 533-7065.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:34 AM)
Ice Fishing
Ice is no longer present on the lake.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 9:48 AM)
Model Airplane Flying
The flying of drones and model airplanes is not permitted at Mancos State Park.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 11:01 AM)
OHV Riding
OHVs (Off Highway Vehicles) CANNOT be used anywhere in the park, this includes the county road through the park. Mancos State Park provides a great base camp for trailering machines to the amazing “Aspen Loop” OHV trail and several other nearby National Forest OHV trails.
OHVs must be registered or permitted in Colorado if they are to be used on public lands, registrations are valid from April 1 - Mar. 31. Non-residents are required to get a non-resident permit for their OHV. These can be purchased in the Visitor Center. 2024 out of state permit stickers now available for purchase.
OHVs can be registered/permitted at any CPW office. Any Parks & Wildlife Sales Agent can assist non residents with OHV permits as well.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 9:49 AM)
Picnicking
In addition to a covered group shelter, Mancos has 10 picnic sites with grills in various locations throughout the park.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:36 AM)
Snowmobiling
(done for season) Although there are no snowmobile trails in the park, Mancos State Park is an excellent “staging area” for snowmobiling from the nearby West Mancos Trailhead in the San Juan National Forest, which is less than two miles from Mancos State Park. The trail gives snowmobilers access to hundreds of miles of trails. Go snowmobiling on the West Mancos Trail and stay in one of the heated yurts at Mancos.
Snowmobiles must be registered or permitted in Colorado if they are to be used on public lands. Colorado registrations are valid from Oct. 1 - Sept. 30. A non-resident snowmobile permit is required in Colorado. Registration can be completed at any Colorado Parks and Wildlife office and non-residents can get their OHV permit anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold or online.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 9:52 AM)
Snowshoeing
(no snow currently present) The approximately 5.5 miles of non-motorized trails inside the park provide excellent snowshoeing opportunities. The park’s trails connect to several miles of Forest Service trails. Heated yurts and plowed winter campsites are available for base camp.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 10:02 AM)
Snowtubing
Given appropriate snow conditions, some tubing and sledding opportunities exist around the park’s boat ramp. Or, for a groomed tubing hill and tube rentals, the Hesperus ski area is about 15 minutes away.
(Updated: 1/24/2024 9:10 AM)
Swimming
No designated swim beach at Jackson Reservoir.
(Updated: 4/23/2024 10:04 AM)
Wildlife Viewing
Because Mancos State Park becomes very quiet in the fall, winter and early spring, the park offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Mule deer, Merriams turkey, foxes, coyotes, Abert’s squirrels, an occasional elk, and a variety of other wonderful creatures are known to show off at the park. During the summer, bear have also been sighted in the park so be sure to follow all precautions posted in the park.
(Updated: 6/12/2023 10:37 AM)
Winter Activities
Winter is the undiscovered incredible season at Mancos State Park. The heated yurts and plowed campsites make great base camps for cross country skiing or snowshoeing the several miles of trail within the park; snowmobiling the nearby San Juan National Forest, alpine skiing or tubing at the quaint, family-run Hesperus ski hill or at the Purgatory Resort (about an hour away) or even Telluride (about an hour and a half away).
Ice fishing at the park can be truly excellent for yellow perch and rainbow trout, and even some large brown trout.
(Updated: 1/24/2024 9:11 AM)