Trinidad Lake State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- 73 campsites
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us719-846-6951
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 3,229 acres, Trinidad Lake State Park lies in Las Animas County, about 5 miles southwest of Trinidad.
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, ice fishing, winter sports, and archery. The official site lists about 10 miles of trails. Water access includes a boat ramp. Camping is available: 73 campsites, including RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Visitor center | Daily | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office/Visitor Center: Daily, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Trinidad Lake Visitor Center is located on the north side of the reservoir by the Carpios Ridge campground. This area can be accessed from Highway 12.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $10 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $15 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $4 · day |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15 Individual Daily Pass: $4
Colorado park passes
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass — $29. Annual vehicle entry for Colorado residents, bought with DMV vehicle registration Details
- Individual Annual Pass — $29. Non-vehicle entry (foot, bike, horse) for passholder plus three accompanying visitors; resident or nonresident Details
- Family Annual Pass (hang tag) — $120. One household; transferable between vehicles Details
- Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass — $80. One vehicle; resident or nonresident Details
- Aspen Leaf Pass — $70. Colorado residents 64+, vehicle registered in Colorado; $3/night camping discount Sun–Thu Details
From the Colorado state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals, Horses Trinidad Lake is a pet-friendly park. Leashed pets are allowed at campsites. All pets must be under control and on a maximum six-foot leash at all times, and not attached to any park signs, trees, shrubs or hydrants. Pets may not be left unattended, and pet owners must promptly clean up after their pets.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites Single campsite (max 6 occupants) · 1 Night · $28 to $41 | 73 | Electrical hookupsShowers | — |
Camping details from the park
Trinidad Lake’s campgrounds offer tent, trailer and RV sites. They’re the perfect base camp for your outdoor adventures and for exploring nearby attractions. Trinidad Lake is open to campers year-round. Reserve Now Trinidad Lake’s campgrounds are a great base camp for exploring the park’s 10+ miles of trails, which are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Ten Campsites are accessible at the South Shore Campground. The park’s beautiful lakeside setting, plethora of outdoor activities and proximity to the mountains make it a great destination for those looking to get away. Two people relax outside their motorhome. Sitting in a tent Dog sitting in a camp chair Cooking over a fire pit with grate Reserve a Campsite 73 Campsites A reservation is required to camp at Trinidad Lake State Park, and it’s easy to make one. Reserve a Campsite Know Before You Go Campsite Amenities The park offers amenities to make your stay more comfortable. Amenities include: • Universally accessible facilities • Vault and flush toilets • Water hydrants • Showers and laundry facilities (closed in winter); • Picnic tables • Dump station Seasonal Closures: The Comfort Station located in the day-use area of Carpios Ridge is closed for the season. Alternative restrooms are available at the Camper Services building in the Carpios Ridge Campground. See Staying During Winter (last accordion under Know Before You Go) for more closures and information. Occupancy & Duration When you camp at Trinidad Lake State Park, check-in time is 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and check-out time is 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of departure. Please do not park on the vegetation or off the roadway. A maximum of six people are allowed per campsite. One tent and one Camper/RV is permitted at one campsite OR 2 tents and no Camper/RV is permitted at a single campsite. Pet Policy Trinidad Lake is a pet-friendly park. Staying During Winter Trinidad Lake is open year-round for camping at sites 1 to 23, 62 and 63. Electricity is available at all sites, and water is available at community water hydrants. Water will be turned off to full hook-up sites beginning November 15 to April 15 to accommodate freezing temperatures. Full hook-up sites will be sold at a reduced rate due to limited amenities. The South Shore campground is closed between mid-October and mid-May. Winter amenities: • Electrical hookups • Restrooms • Water Seasonal Closures: The South Shore Campground is CLOSED for the winter season. Campsites remain available for reservation in the Carpios Ridge Campground.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
ArcheryBikingBoatingCampingWinter sportsCross-country skiingFishingGeocachingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingIce fishingPicnicking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Point Trail | 1 mi | — | 1.00 miles, paved Hiking, biking, wheelchair and accessible motorized units ADA accessible Dog friendlyAccessible |
| Park View Trail | 0.6 mi | — | 0.60 miles, paved Hiking, biking ADA accessible Dog friendlyAccessible |
| Levsa Canyon Self-Guided Trail | 1 mi | — | 1 mile, non-paved Hiking, biking Dog friendly |
| Reilly Canyon Trail | 4 mi | — | 4.0 miles, non-paved Hiking, biking Dog friendly |
| South Shore Trail | 2.5 mi | — | 2.5 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking Dog friendly |
| Long’s Canyon Trail | 0.75 mi | — | 0.75 miles, non-paved Hiking, biking Dog friendly |
| Carpios Cove Trail | 0.5 mi | — | 0.5 miles, non-paved Hiking, biking Dog friendly Find a Trail |
Trail descriptions from the park
Up to 10+ miles of trails reward eager explorers wanting to learn, exercise or study nature. Sights range from open vistas to grasslands, forests, cliffs and ponds.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
- Parking
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible campsites
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible campsites
Hiking, biking, wheelchair and accessible motorized units During the winter season, the family restrooms are available. Group camping is available at the Piedmont group camping area from mid-April to mid-October every year. Universally accessible facilities are available at the Carpios Ridge Campground. Trinidad Lake’s campgrounds are a great base camp for exploring the park’s 10+ miles of trails, which are open to hikers and mountain bikers. Ten Campsites are accessible at the South Shore Campground. • Universally accessible facilities Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Event Space Rental, Accessible Parking, Accessible Restrooms, Accessible Showers, Accessible Campsite
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
When you camp at Trinidad Lake State Park, check-in time is 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and check-out time is 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of departure. Please do not park on the vegetation or off the roadway. A maximum of six people are allowed per campsite. One tent and one Camper/RV is permitted at one campsite OR 2 tents and no Camper/RV is permitted at a single campsite.
Getting there
- Address
- 32610 Highway 12
Trinidad, CO 81082 - Nearest town
- Trinidad — about 5 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.1455, -104.5704
- Phone
- 719-846-6951
- trinidad.lake@state.co.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Directions 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.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 20, 2026
- CPW website Drupal JSON:API, node type state_park (43 published nodes; same store that renders /state-parks/{slug})
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology