While Colorado citizens have been practicing social distancing and following mandated stay-at-home orders, many have turned to outdoor activities to get out of the house. Especially with the long-awaited warm weather, people are headed outside to enjoy May temperatures. Whether it be running around local parks or biking in your neighborhood, Coloradans always tend to find their way outside.
To those wishing for a more remote destination, Colorado campsites will begin an approach of re-opening at 50% capacity. After over a month-long closure of all state parks, Governor Jared Polis announced today in a press conference a phased reopening for camping services beginning on Tuesday, May 12.
Since this is a phased approach at the reopening, The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office hopes to slowly allow full capacity at all campsites throughout the summer — but for now — reservations are required. Although expect facilities like playgrounds, picnic areas, yurts, cabins and other campsite facilities at Colorado’s state parks will likely remain unavailable. Below is the current scheduled opening of campgrounds, per a press release from CPW.
Tuesday, May 12
- Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (Fremont County campgrounds only)
- Chatfield State Park
- Cherry Creek State Park
- Eleven Mile State Park
- Elkhead Reservoir State Park
- Highline State Park
- Jackson Lake State Park
- James M. Robb CO River State Park Island Acres
- James M. Robb CO River State Park Fruita
- Mancos State Park
- Mueller State Park
- North Sterling State Park
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Staunton State Park
- Vega State Park
Wednesday, May 13
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park*
- Crawford State Park
Thursday, May 14
- Boyd Lake State Park
- St. Vrain State Park
- John Martin Reservoir State Park
Friday, May 15
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park*
- Lake Pueblo State Park
- Lory State Park
- Navajo State Park
- Ridgway State Park
The following parks continue to coordinate with local officials for reopening plans. Dates will be announced as they become available:
- Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (Chaffee County campgrounds)
- Lathrop State Park
- Paonia State Park
- Pearl Lake State Park
- Stagecoach State Park
- State Forest State Park
- Steamboat Lake State Park
- Sylvan Lake State Park
- Trinidad Lake State Park
- Yampa River State Park
The CPW issued statements asking visitors to have flexible travel plans as everything is still being finalized. There is more information on their website regarding permits and licenses, hunting and fishing, boating and overall COVID-19 safety.
To book a camping reservation, go here. Also, make sure to check the rules for the county you plan to camp in here. Also not all State Parks are open for camping yet, so check with the individual state park for more info.