Skip to main content

Colorado State Parks
Parks > Trinidad Lake State Park > Park Activities

Park Activities

Archery

The range consists of a shooters’ shelter with six lanes and five installed target butts that range between 10 and 50 yards. The sixth lane is open for use of 3-D targets. The range will be open year-round from sunrise to sunset unless closed for maintenance or special events.

>>Read More​​​​
(Updated: 6/5/2020 11:11 AM)

Biking

Up to 18 miles of trails and numerous paved and unpaved access roads, Trinidad Lake State Park offers a wide range of opportunities for street and mountain biking. Cold-weather enthusiasts enjoy biking in the winter.

(Updated: 8/17/2023 2:21 PM)

Boating

ATTENTION BOATERS!​

**We will be CLOSED to motorized boating on July 16th and 17th to get our new boat dock installed. We will not have ANS boat inspections on these 2 days. All hand-launched vessels are still allowed on the lake as long as they are not using a trolling motor.**​

Boating is allowed at Trinidad Lake State Park which has a dedicated boat ramp and seasonal docks. The lake is OPEN to boating for the 2024 season.​

Boat inspection hours are from 6am-8pm.​

Decontamination hours are from 8am-6pm.​

Fishing, water skiing, and jet skiing are some of the recreational opportunities available on the lake.

ANS Advisory: The program to prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) in Colorado’s waterways will continue this year. ANS inspections are available by appointment or during regular inspection hours. All boats must be inspected before launch and when coming off the lake.​

Colorado Parks and Wildlife encourages all boaters to take a few simple, precautionary steps every time they go to a lake, river, or reservoir.​ Before leaving a lake or other waterway, boaters should:

  • DRAIN the water from the boat, live well and lower unit of the engine.
  • INSPECT all exposed surfaces.
  • REMOVE all plant and animal material.
  • CLEAN the hull of your boat; DRY the boat, fishing gear, and equipment.

Motorboats and sailboats must have an ANS Stamp prior to launching in Colorado in 2019.

Boat owners are required to purchase the ANS Stamp and operators must retain proof of purchase (electronic or printed receipt) on his or her person, the motorboat, or sailboat, when operating the vessel (C.R.S. 33-10.5-104.5).

ANS Stamp Information

Funding contributes to the prevention and management of ANS in the state.​
(Updated: 7/18/2024 2:50 PM)

Camping

While there’s plenty to explore in the park, many visitors make our modern campgrounds with 73 available tent, trailer, or RV sites an ideal “home base” for touring area attractions.

Reservations can be made the day you plan to arrive at the park or up to six months in advance. To make a reservation or to check availability, please call (800) 244-5613 or visit www.cpwshop.com.

Check out Trinidad’s Camping page for additional information.
(Updated: 5/14/2020 11:28 AM)

Cross-country Skiing

Available if conditions permit.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:25 PM)

Dog-friendly

Dogs are welcome in the park as long as:

  • They are on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times.
  • Their waste is properly disposed of.

(Updated: 8/4/2016 4:35 PM)

Education Programs

Offered at the amphitheater during weekends from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Day programs are also available. All events are free to the public. **A valid​ Colorado State Park Pass is required on all vehicles.**​

Our Regularly Scheduled Programs:

Friday Night Live with the Park Rangers

  • Every Friday night our park rangers will host a ranger talk at 8pm located at the amphitheater.
  • Rangers will speak on recent park activity, share the weekly fishing report, and talk about the cultural, historical, and geological significance of Trinidad Lake State Park.

Saturday Nights

  • Most Saturday nights various interpretive programs are held and hosted by special guests.

  • Events begin at 7pm and are located at the amphitheater.

  • Saturday, August 17th: The Horno and the Hispanic Culture of the Purgatoire River Valley

    Join Park Staff and Deanna Philbin as they explore the Hispanic history and culture of the Purgatiore River Valley. The presentation includes some hands-on activities, an opportunity to sample food cooked in the adobe horno, and a mini Spanish lesson. Join us at the amphitheater for this fun and informative event.​

Sundays Occasionally, additional interpretive programs will be held around the park. These activities may include Cooking at the Horno or Archery events.

Please check our Facebook page​ for more details. Special programs may be scheduled upon request.
(Updated: 8/12/2024 12:24 PM)

Fishing

Anglers from boat or shore can reel in warm- or cold-water fish like rainbow and brown trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and wipers. Check out Trinidad’s Park Activities section for more information on Fishing.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:26 PM)

Geocaching

Seven geocache sites are located on Trinidad Lake State Park property. Coordinates may be obtained by visiting www.geocaching.com or picking up a geocache brochure at the park Visitor Center. GPS units may be rented at the Visitor Center as well.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:26 PM)

Group Camping

The Piedmont Group Camping Area with eight camping-vehicle sites is located away from the main campground and includes the Piedmont Group Picnic Shelter with all its amenities. There are electrical hookups at three of the camp sites, as well as electricity at the pavilion. Vault toilets and water are also available. Dump station facilities, flush toilets, laundry facilities, and showers are accessible in the main campground.​

To reserve the Group Camping Area, call (800) 244-5613 or visit www.cpwshop.com.
(Updated: 1/2/2024 10:53 AM)

Group Picnicking

Gather the group and come for a day of fun. Family or high school reunions, company picnics, weddings, graduations; all find a place here.

Check out our Group Picnicking​​ page for additional information.
(Updated: 6/24/2020 3:19 PM)

Hiking

There’s so much to see on Trinidad’s trails! Up to 20 miles of trails reward eager explorers wanting to learn, exercise, or conduct nature studies. Several trails are ADA-accessible. Sights range from open vistas to grasslands, forests, cliffs, and ponds. Cold-weather enthusiasts can enjoy hiking all winter.
(Updated: 8/17/2023 2:24 PM)

Horseback Riding

Horses are allowed on the South Shore Trail of Trinidad Lake.
(Updated: 10/22/2015 9:02 AM)

Ice Fishing

Available if conditions allow.
(Updated: 2/3/2022 11:09 AM)

Jet Skiing

Jet-skis are allowed at Trinidad Lake.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:28 PM)

Picnicking

After playing on the lake or the park, hungry explorers can relax at one of several individual picnic tables. Lakeside tables next to boat ramps are available for great fishing access. Covered shelters with grills, access to potable water, and flush restrooms are found on the overlook.
(Updated: 6/24/2020 3:20 PM)

Snowshoeing

Allowed if conditions permit.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:28 PM)

Volleyball

The court is located near group picnic​ shelters Viola and Sopris​. It is available to group picnickers. The park provides the net, which is already set up, but each group will need to provide their own volleyball.
(Updated: 9/10/2019 3:22 PM)

Water Skiing

Water-skiing is allowed on the lake.
(Updated: 5/18/2014 5:28 PM)

Winter Camping

Campsites 1-23, 62, and 63 are open year-round with electricity available at all sites and water taps scattered throughout the campground. Sites 1-4, 6, 62, and 63 offer full hookup amenities, which include water, sewer, and electrical year-round.

The family restrooms in the camper services building are open year-round. These restrooms include showers and are for camping guests only.​

The South Shore Campground is closed between mid-October and the end of April​. Sites 24-60 in the Carpios Ridge Campground are closed between mid-October and mid-March. ​

All campsites are available by reservation only. Occupation of a site without a reservation will not be permitted. The 3-day reservation window does not apply at this park; sites are available for reservation 24/7. Self-service camping permits will no longer be valid. But as always, a park pass is required for every vehicle on the park. It is our goal to improve customer service with this change. To make a reservation or to check availability, please call (800) 244-5613 or visit www.cpwshop.com.
(Updated: 2/6/2024 10:53 AM)