By Shannon Lukens.
State parks in northwest Colorado are open for boating, camping and more. Reserve a camping spot at www.cpwshop.com. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has released the following updates:
The Boat Ramp at Elkhead Reservoir opens May 19.
Stagecoach State Park is open but no boats can be launched without being inspected for ANS (aquatic nuisance species) on site.
Steamboat Lake State Park and Pearl Lake State Park has first-come, first served camping through May 23 when it is by reservation only. ANS Inspects are conducted at the Steamboat Lake Visitor Center. Boat Inspections at Pearl Lake start May 23, at the Marina.
State Forest State Park near Walden has first-come, first served camping through May 23 when it is by reservation only.
Press Release from Colorado Parks and Wildlife; May 15, 2025.
CPW Northwest Region opens spring and summer recreation opportunities
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Warmer weather has finally arrived in the high country, and that means high country state parks are open for boating, camping, and much more.
Elkhead Reservoir State Park
Elkhead Reservoir State Park, located in the beautiful Yampa Valley, is an oasis in the high desert. Elkhead Reservoir’s boat ramp will open May 19, signaling the start of the motorized boating season at the popular reservoir near Craig, Colorado.
The ANS inspection hours are as follows:
Beginning May 19: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Stagecoach State Park
Stagecoach State Park sets the stage for great recreation in the lush Yampa Valley just outside of Steamboat Springs. Vistas and views are backdrops to the 820-acre reservoir, providing renowned lake and river fishing.
Similar to last year’s boating season, Stagecoach State Park will no longer allow the launching of any boats that require an ANS inspection outside of ANS inspection hours. Boat ramp gates will be locked, and only vessels that are hand-launched and human-powered may be launched when there is no ANS inspector on duty.
The ANS inspection hours are as follows:
May 1 – May 22: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Beginning May 23: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pinnacle City campground sites are open for reservations. All other campsites, water, the dump station, and flush restrooms will open May 15.
Vega State Park
At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Vega State Park’s high-mountain lake sits in a beautiful montane meadow on the northeast edge of Grand Mesa National Forest. The Island Boat Ramp opened to boating on May 1, and will be the only ramp open at this time.
The ANS inspection hours are as follows:
May 1 – May 23: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 24 – August 31: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
September 1 – October 31: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
As a reminder, boats will only be allowed to launch when the ANS check station is open. In 2021, the park installed new gates and one-way spike strips. The spike strips will allow boats to exit the lake after hours at the Island Boat Ramp but will prevent boats from entering the lake during non-inspection hours.
First-come Come first-served camping is open through May 14. Beginning May 15, all camping will be by reservation only. Please note, water is currently unavailable in Aspen Grove Campground.
Steamboat Lake State Park and Pearl Lake State Park
First-come, first-served camping is open through May 22 as conditions allow. Beginning May 23, all camping will be by reservation only. Be sure to check conditions before planning to camp because snow and wet ground usually limit access and facility opening.
The ANS inspection hours are as follows:
Beginning May 16, boat inspections will be conducted at the Visitor Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Beginning May 23, boat inspections will be at the Marina from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rifle Gap State Park and Harvey Gap State Park
The boat ramp is open at Rifle Gap and the fishing has been good. Launching is not allowed outside of inspection hours; please plan accordingly. Our campground and dump station are fully open and available by reservation only.
The boat ramp is open at Harvey Gap! There is a 20 horsepower limit on motors, which makes this a great place to fish or relax. Launching is not allowed outside of inspection hours; please plan accordingly.
ANS inspection hours:
Now through May 23: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
May 24 – Sept 1: 6 a.m. to 9p.m.
Sept 2 – Oct 31: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
State Forest State Park
Welcome to the 71,000 acre State Forest State Park located in the high mountains of northern Colorado. Known as the moose viewing capital of Colorado, enjoy the endless wildlife viewing opportunities available. You can also enjoy many of the other opportunities the park has to offer to include hiking, fishing, OHV riding, backpacking, hunting, horseback riding and camping.
First-come, first-served camping is open through May 22 as conditions allow. Beginning May 23, all camping will be by reservation only. Reserve one of our cabins year-round or experience one of the brand-new yurts managed by Yonder Yurts.
North Michigan Reservoir will be open to wakeless boating as soon as the ice is off.
Sylvan Lake State Park
A beautiful high-mountain lake with a variety of outdoor recreation. Known for our scenic lake that allows hand-powered and electric motor boats only. During the summer, Sylvan Lake State Park is a gateway to the White River National Forest, where people come from all over to enjoy mountain biking, ATV riding, and dispersed camping.
Sylvan Lake also manages nine cabins available all year round and three yurts available from May 15 until November 15. First-come, first-served camping is open through May 14. Beginning May 15, all camping will be by reservation only. People can purchase a self-serve camping permit along with a daily park pass at our entrance gate until our campground officially opens.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park
Looking to take your recreation adventure to the desert? We have you covered. James M. Robb Colorado River State Park is divided into five sections, stretching from Fruita on the west end to Island Acres on the east end, with three stops in between. Often referred to as the “string of pearls,” this park offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy activities ranging from camping and fishing to floating down the Colorado River.
Camping reservations are currently open for the Island Acres and Fruita sections of the park. If you’re looking to spend a day boating or floating on the Colorado River, boat launches are available at Corn Lake, Connected Lakes, and Fruita. For updates on Colorado River flow rates, visit the USGS water flow data website.
Reserve your camping spot today
Customers who wish to search for campsites available to reserve should visit www.cpwshop.com. Here, customers can search for a park name or location, type of site, and/or date and search for available campgrounds.
Be a pain in the ANS: Clean, Drain and Dry your vessels and gear
Everyone has a part to play in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species in Colorado. Simple actions, like cleaning, draining and drying your motorized and hand-launched vessels — including paddleboards and kayaks — can significantly protect Colorado’s waters. These steps are crucial in helping to prevent situations similar to the recent one at Highline Lake.
Anglers are also encouraged to keep their angling gear free of mud and plants between each and every use. By cleaning, draining and drying your angling gear, you can prevent unknowingly moving a species from one body of water to another or even between different stretches of the same river, which can cause a domino effect of invasion with irreversible ecological damage.
Learn more about how you can prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species and tips to properly clean, drain and dry your boating and fishing gear by visiting our website. Tips for anglers and a map of CPW’s new gear and watercraft cleaning stations are available here.
Not just a park pass
Colorado is home to world-class state parks, more than 960 species of wildlife and 23 million acres of public lands, ranging from wetlands to forests, canyon landscapes to mountain lakes. Join us in keeping Colorado wild for just $29.
Learn more about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass at cpw.info/keepcoloradowildpass.
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