Four Seasons at Ridgway State Park & Reservoir
Ridgway Reservoir is a major recreational resource at the heart of Ridgway State Park, surrounded by an outdoor playground with five square miles to explore and enjoy. With unparalleled scenery, the park is an inviting destination with diverse amenities to keep all ages occupied for an afternoon or several days.
While summer offers a wide range of water sports, fishing is available year round. Visitors can also enjoy nearly 14 miles of developed trails for hiking and biking, along with birding and wildlife viewing opportunities in every season. The park also offers campgrounds, event facilities, a marina, and picnic and playground areas.
Winter camping fees range from $28 to $60 a night for tent, electric RV spots, and yurts. The daily park pass is $9 per vehicle and is separate from the camping fee. Starting January 1, 2023, Colorado residents can opt in for the $29 annual Keep Colorado Wild park pass with their vehicle’s license plate registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles. Out-of-state residents will still need a daily or annual park pass. Keep Colorado Wild pass informa tion: https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/ pages/keep-colorado-wild-pass.aspx
In winter, the park is a peaceful, beautiful place to stay when visiting for skiing, ice climbing, snow shoeing, and hot springs. A yurt stay surrounded by snow-covered mountains is simply magical. The RV/yurt area has a heated flush restroom accessible year round. Plus, a walk-in type of camping site is open during the colder months for the very hearty.
The Park Visitor Center is open seven days a week all year except Thanksgiving and Christmas days, and rangers offer various family-friendly programs when conditions allow. The Visitor Center has many items that it lends for free, including fishing poles and tackle, life jackets, and “Family Activity Backpacks” fully equipped with journals, binoculars, magnifiers, guidebooks and magnifying bug boxes, along with suggested activities and fun facts sheets. Snowshoes are lent out in the winter as well. Information: www.cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/ridgway
Amenities in Each Park
Entrance Pa-Co-Chu-Puk, which means “Cow Creek” in the Ute language, is located below the Ridgway Dam. In the winter, this area offers walk-in only campsites, pond and river trout fishing, and access to hiking and biking trails.
Dutch Charlie site is named after a pioneer who ran a boarding house near the present-day swim beach. In the winter, RV, car and yurt camping are open, many trails are accessible, and the Visitors Center with a book store and interpretive displays is open.
Dallas Creek site, furthest south, provides daytime activities and picnic sites throughout the winter. Located at the confluence of the Uncompahgre River and Dallas Creek, it is a perfect place for viewing wildlife and hiking, including a trail that connects the park to the Town of Ridgway.
In the Guide
Ouray Brokers
Ridgway Wrench
