Discover the 12 Largest State Parks in Colorado

Colorado is often thought to be one of the most beautiful places in the United States. There are stunning mountains, exciting sand dunes, and beautiful rivers. Colorado is a state unlike any other and its beauty is worth a trip to the state!

Colorado is home to four national parks — Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison — as well as 42 state parks. The state parks range in size and location, and some cover mountains while others hone in on rivers or reservoirs. Overall, the parks of Colorado are diverse and stunning.

If you’re planning to Colorado, or even if you’re a Colorado local, you’ll definitely want to head out and explore some of the incredible state parks. For the most bang for your buck, here’s a list of twelve of the largest state parks in Colorado! They’re all over the state, so there’s bound to be one nearby you. Check them out below!

12. Navajo State Park

While Colorado isn’t renowned for its water, Navajo State Park proves otherwise. Navajo State Park is the twelfth largest state park in Colorado, with an area of 5,087 acres. The park is made up of 2,100 acres of park and 3,000 acres of reservoir. Navajo State Park sits directly on Colorado’s border with New Mexico, so some of the reservoir belongs to them! If you plan on visiting the southwest corner of Colorado, jog over to Navajo State Park while you’re in town.

You can do all sorts of things at Navajo State Park, including hiking, biking, fishing, and more. There are 160 miles of shoreline access to the Piedra River, making it a great spot to dip your toes in the water and catch a fish. There’s also camping at the State Park, including 138 campsites and three cabins.

11. Mueller State Park

The eleventh largest state park in Colorado is Mueller State Park, which spans 5,112 acres. This park is absolutely beautiful, made up of mountains and trees stretching for miles. Mueller State Park is located right in the center of the state, only a few miles west of Colorado Springs. Its spot near the city makes it accessible to folks looking to have some city time in Colorado, as well as some nature time!

There are meadows, forests, rocks, and more at Mueller State Park. In the park, you can hike, bike, camp, and hunt (in the designated hunting area). There are also some ponds at the park that are wonderful for wildlife observation. If learning about the flora and fauna of Colorado is your thing, Mueller State Park is a great spot to visit. In fact, there are over 115 species of birds living at the park!

10. North Sterling State Park

North Sterling State Park takes the tenth-place spot for the largest state parks in Colorado. This park is 5,700 acres in size. It’s located in the northeast corner of Colorado, just north of Sterling. It sits alongside the expansive North Sterling Reservoir, allowing visitors the opportunity to cool off and play in the beautiful water.

There’s a lot to do at this park. Fishing and waterfowl hunting are big activities at North Sterling State Park, as well as boating and hiking. There’s also an archery range at the park where you can practice your shot! North Sterling State Park also has a campground if you’re looking to stay at the beautiful property.

9. Spinney Mountain State Park

The beautiful Spinney Mountain State Park takes the ninth spot for the largest state park in Colorado. Spinney Mountain State Park is 6,080 acres in size, including a reservoir and mountains. The diverse terrain makes this park a worthwhile place to visit. It’s located centrally, not too far from Denver, making it accessible if you fly into Denver and are only in town for a few days.

This day-use state park has hiking, biking, and more, as well as a long list of water activities. Hunting and fishing are the major activities of Spinney Mountain State Park, so all the trails at the park are defined for this purpose, not for hiking.

8. Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

The eighth largest state park in Colorado is the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. This park is located centrally in Leadville, Colorado. Aspen is to the west, Mount Elbert is to the south, and Mount Lincoln is to the east, so it’s in a wonderful spot for exploring central Colorado. Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is 6,193 acres in size and contains Turquoise Lake and some phenomenal campgrounds.

7. Eleven Mile State Park

The seventh-largest state park in Colorado is the beautiful Eleven Mile State Park. This park spans 7,662, consisting of forests, mountains, and moving water. It’s a stunning park to visit, located centrally, just a bit northwest of Colorado Springs. Eleven Mile State Park sits beside the Elevenmile Canyon Reservoir, which is a wonderful spot for water sports and activities.

Visitors to Eleven Mile State Park can camp, boat, bike, hike, and more. There’s substantial birding in the area as well as great fishing. If backcountry camping is more your style, Eleven Mile State Park hosts fourteen backcountry sites. It’s a beautiful and expansive park worth a visit!

6. Lake Pueblo State Park

The sixth-largest state park in Colorado is the first to drop into five-digit acreage, and that is Lake Pueblo State Park. With 10,279 acres, Lake Pueblo State Park is a large and stunning place to visit. This state park is located centrally, just a few miles west of the city of Pueblo. It sits on the Pueblo Reservoir, where water activities can be enjoyed. Camping, boating, biking, and more are permitted on the property of Lake Pueblo State Park.

5. Lone Mesa State Park

Lone Mesa State Park is the fifth-largest state park in Colorado. It’s located in Egnar, Colorado in the southwest corner of the state, nearing Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. If you’re coming into the state from the south or the west, Lone Mesa State Park is a great spot to stop. It’s an expansive 11,702 acres in size with lots to explore.

4. Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Located in Jefferson and Gilpin counties is the Golden Gate Canyon State Park, one of the most beautiful and accessible state parks in Colorado. It’s also the fourth-largest state park in the state! Golden Gate Canyon State Park is not far from Denver or Boulder, so if you’re in town visiting the cities, it’s not a far drive into nature.

3. John Martin Reservoir State Park

One of the best spots for aquatic activities in the state is the third-largest state park in Colorado, and that is the John Martin Reservoir State Park. John Martin Reservoir State Park is 13,176 acres in size and includes a giant reservoir, perfect for all sorts of water sports. The park is in the southeast corner of Colorado, close to La Junta, Colorado, and not far from the Colorado/Kansas border.

You can bike, bird, and boat at John Martin Reservoir State Park, among many other things. It’s a great spot for activities, including picnicking and camping. It’s a wonderful place to cool off on a hot Colorado summer day.

2. Fisher’s Peak State Park

The second largest state park in Colorado is Fisher’s Peak State Park. This beautiful park is located in the very south region of Colorado, along the border with New Mexico. It’s just outside the towns of Trinidad and Jansen. Fisher’s Peak State Park is a whopping 19,200 acres in size, offering expansive views and interesting terrain. Notably, this state park is the newest in Colorado, established in 2020!

Despite its size, only 1,000 acres of the 19,200-acre park are open at this time. However, you can hike and mountain bike on the thirteen miles of trails that are open to the public. Additionally, hunting is permitted at Fisher’s Peak, so be sure to check out the guidelines. There is big game hunting in the forest, as well as turkey hunting in the springtime.

1. State Forest State Park

Finally, the largest state park in Colorado is the stunning State Forest State Park. As the name implies, this park is a forest, and it spans 70,838 acres. It’s along the northern border of Colorado, only a few miles west of Fort Collins. If you’re coming into Colorado from Wyoming or if you just want to explore the northern portion of the state, State Forest State Park is an accessible stop.

This state park is not just made up of trees but also includes alpine lakes and exciting mountain trails. It’s also a spectacular place for wildlife viewing. There are 600 moose spotted here annually! Visitors can participate in all sorts of classic forest activities, including hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and more. During hunting season, hunting is available at State Forest State Park, as well.

Summary of the Largest State Parks in Colorado