Colorado Parks and Wildlife announces summer recreation openings at 11 state parks in northwest mountains

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is opening boating, camping and other summertime activities at state parks located across the northwestern mountains.

The wildlife agency announced various openings at 11 state parks in a news release on Wednesday, April 29. The agency in the release reminded visitors that boaters and anglers this summer need to clean, dry and drain their vessels and gear to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

At Elkhead Reservoir State Park near Craig, the boat ramp will open May 22 with aquatic nuisance species inspections from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day.

At Stagecoach State Park outside of Steamboat Springs, the Pinnacle City campground sites are open for reservations and all other campsites, as well as water, the dump station and flush restrooms, will open May 15. 

The reservoir at Stagecoach State Park will no longer allow the launching of boats that require nuisance species inspections outside of inspection hours, which run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May 1 to May 22, then from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the rest of the season, according to the state wildlife agency.

At Vega State Park, the Island Boat Ramp opens to boating on May 1. Aquatic nuisance species inspections will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from through May 22, then 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from May 22 to Sept. 6, before returning to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Sept. 7 to Oct. 31. First-come, first-served camping is open through May 14, with reservations being required starting May 15.

Vega State Park is also opening new, limited-use routes for off-highway vehicles on park roadways this year. The Dam Road and Oak Point Campground are now accessible to these vehicles.

Steamboat State Park and Pearl State Park have open first-come, first served camping through May 22, with all camping requiring reservations starting May 23. Beginning May 1, boat inspections will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both parks. After May 23, boat inspections will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At Rifle Gap State Park and Harvey Gap State Park, the boat ramps are open but launching is not allowed outside of inspection hours. The inspections run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through May 22, then switch to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 7.

At State Forest State Park, first-come, first-served camping available until reservations start on May 23. The North Michigan Reservoir will be open to wakeless boating as soon as the ice melts.

At Sylvan Lake State Park, fire-come, first-served camping is available until reservations start May 15.

At James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, camping reservations are available for the Island Acres and Fruita sections of the park. Visitors are reminded that zebra mussels, an aquatic nuisance species, have been found in the Colorado River and the stretch of river from the Eagle River to the Colorado-Utah border is considered infested.

At Highline Lake State Park, nuisance species inspections will run for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through May 23, when the hours extend to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 7.

To reserve campsites, visit CPWShop.com.