Trinidad Lake State Park
State Park in Trinidad, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
32610 Highway 12
Trinidad, CO 81082
United States
Trinidad Lake State Park
State Park in Trinidad, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
32610 Highway 12
Trinidad, CO 81082
United States
Navigate to:
Aerial view of Trinidad Lake including campsites
About this park
Welcome to Trinidad Lake State Park
Trinidad Lake offers a serene escape from crowds, serving as an excellent base camp for exploring the outdoors and nearby attractions. With its mild climate and large lake, the park is perfect for water sports. Anglers can reel in rainbow and brown trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, crappie and bluegill.
2,960
acres
73
campsites
46
picnic sites
10.3
miles of trails
Directions
Accessing the Park
From I-25
Follow I-25 S to County Rd 69.1 in Las Animas County. Take exit 11 from I-25 S. Follow County Rd 69.1 to County Rd 18.3. Turn Left on HWY 12. Turn left at the park sign/entrance road.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Colorado residents 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Nature and Wildlife
The pinyon-juniper forest offers wildlife viewing of many bird species, including pinyon jay and roadrunners. A variety of mammals can be seen, such as deer, elk and smaller animals.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Great Blue Heron
- Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay
- Juniper Titmouse
- Greater Roadrunner
Upcoming Events
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History
The legacy of Trinidad's early days and the influence of various groups are evident in historic sites like the Trinidad History Museum Complex, the Cokedale Historic District, and others listed on national and state registries. Archaeological sites in the park date from the early Sopris Phase (1075 to 1150 CE) to the Baca Phase, which was the Spanish-American occupation of the area from 1860 through 1900. The most widespread Native Tribes were the Jicarilla Apache, Utes and Comanches.
- 1664: Spanish Arrival
Archuleta leads the first Spanish expedition into the Purgatoire Valley, followed by Ulibarri in 1706 and Valverde in 1719. Valverde names the Purgatoire River, reflecting a tragic history. - 1821: Santa Fe Trail and William Becknell
William Becknell opens the Santa Fe Trail, which passes near the park, becoming a vital trade route. - 1858: Settlers and Coal Mining
Settlers farm along the Purgatoire, leading to the founding of Trinidad in 1858. The main economic base is sheep and cattle ranching. In 1876, the first coal mining operation begins, marking the start of a coal boom. - 1978: Trinidad Dam and Trinidad Lake Creation
The US Army Corps of Engineers constructs Trinidad Dam, creating Trinidad Lake for irrigation and flood control. - 1980: Park Management
Colorado State Parks, today called Colorado Parks and Wildlife, begins managing Trinidad Lake State Park. - 1985–1988: Sopris Mine Coal Tailing Reclamation
A project led by the Division of Mined Land Reclamation reclaims a portion of the Sopris Mine coal tailing pile on park land. - 1991: Santa Fe National Historic Trail Designation
Trinidad Lake becomes a Complementary Interpretive Facility for the Santa Fe National Historic Trail through an agreement with the National Park Service. - 1995: Horno Construction and Historic Bridge Recognition
A traditional horno, an adobe oven used by early Native American cultures for cooking, is built in the park. - 1999: Historic Recognition for Reilly Canyon Bridge
The Reilly Canyon Bridge, constructed in 1936 and featuring characteristic WPA construction, is added to the State Register of Historic Properties. - Present day: Historical Interpretation
Interpretive displays and wayside exhibits scattered throughout the park tell visitors about the region's rich history.