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Colorado State Parks
Parks > Trinidad Lake State Park > Trails

Trails

Trinidad Trail

There’s so much to see on Trinidad’s trails! Several trails reward eager explorers wanting to learn, exercise or conduct nature study. Sights range from open vistas, to grasslands, forests, cliffs, and ponds.

The Long’s Canyon trail provides one of the best examples of the geologic K-T Boundary anywhere in the country, attracting geologists from afar.

Levsa Canyon Self-Guided Trail

A moderate one-mile, self-guided walk that loops back to the campground area. With its varied terrain and numerous views of mountains, lake, and wooded coves, it’s perfect for a short, informative hike.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot and bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 1.0
  • Total distance: 1.0
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: No

Reilly Canyon Trail

For the hiking enthusiast, the trail branches off from Levsa, continuing four miles farther west toward the Reilly Canyon entrance and the historic town of Cokedale. This four-mile trail is one way. There are markers every half mile to create a longer or shorter hike, if you desire.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot and bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 4.0
  • Total distance: 4.0
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: No

Sunset Point Trail

Our newest trail on the South Shore is handicapped-accessible and leads to a shaded picnic area and overlook with a panoramic view of the lake.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot, bike, wheelchair, and handicap motorized units
  • Miles paved: 1.0
  • Miles non-paved: 0
  • Total distance: 1.0
  • Usage: Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: Yes

South Shore Trail

The trail follows the South Shore of the lake and leads to seldom explored areas of the park. This trail is two and a half miles one way and connects to Long’s Canyon.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot, horse, and mountain bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 2.5
  • Total distance: 2.5
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: No

Long’s Canyon Trail

This is a relaxing 3/4 mile (one way) self-guided hike through a variety of forest lands, meadows, and riparian environments. Viewing blinds above the ponds offer a secluded space for watching the abundant wildlife of the area—ducks, geese, herons, beaver, deer, elk, and other wild animals.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot and bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 0.75
  • Total distance: 0.75
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: No

Carpios Cove Trail

This moderately challenging, steep, half-mile (one way) trail leads hikers from the Carpios Ridge picnic area down to Trinidad Lake and connects the Carpios Ridge area with Carpios Cove.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot and bike
  • Miles paved: 0
  • Miles non-paved: 0.5
  • Total distance: 0.5
  • Usage: Low
  • Degree of difficulty: Moderate
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: No

Park View Trail

This self-guided trail was designed with the intention of providing accessibility for all users. This trail highlights some of the area’s cultural and natural history at 16 viewing stations. The trail forms a loop approximately 0.6 miles in length. All surfaces are paved and a minimum of five feet wide with no grades exceeding 5%. There are two wheel-chair accessible picnic tables as well as water and restrooms along the trail.

  • Pets: Yes
  • Permitted uses: Foot, bike, wheelchair, and handicap motorized units
  • Miles paved: 0.6
  • Miles non-paved: 0
  • Total distance: 0.6
  • Usage: Medium
  • Degree of difficulty: Easy
  • Elevation: 6,200
  • ADA accessible: Yes