Discover your wild in our quiet untouched and undisturbed lands. Our pristine mesas and mountains provide people with all levels of outdoors experience with opportunities for world-class hunting and fishing, hiking, biking, trail running, and many other outdoor recreation activities. The Purgatoire River flows through Trinidad, offering excellent fishing opportunities, quiet strolls, and meditation spots along the Riverwalk. Learn more by exploring the resources below or visit the official website for the Trinidad, Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation, which is in an early stage of development but can already serve as a resource for you in planning your visit!
We are also very excited to be in the initial stages of developing Colorado’s 42nd state park, Fisher’s Peak State Park, which now has two trails open to the public, with many more recreational opportunities to come. Further details on this wonderful development are provided below, or you can visit the park’s website directly to follow along with the progress.
TRINIDAD, COLORADO
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Fisher’s Peak State Park
Trinidad is the proud home to Fisher’s Peak, Colorado’s 42nd State Park, which began in early 2019 with the purchase of 19,200 acres of land from a private owner and is now Colorado’s newest and 2nd largest State Park. Owned and managed by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, many partners are working to protect the park’s natural, scenic, cultural and biological values while developing multi use outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Future development will include amenities such as roads, parking lots, restrooms, picnic areas, trails and wildlife-viewing areas.
Thirteen miles of new trails bring visitors closer than ever to the summit of Fisher’s Peak. Trails. The new trails opened in the fall of 2022 to both hikers and mountain bikers. Dogs are not allowed currently. The Goldenrod Trail is a multi use trail that climbs 3.5 miles to Osita Ridge. Visitors can continue their upward ascent on the Upper Lone Cub Trail. The Lower Lone Cub Trail is a 1.5 mile trails that starts at the trailhead and connects with Poison Canyon Trail, a downhill route for mountain bikers. The trail system will be extended to the peak summit in the next year.
Fisher’s Peak State Park is home to abundant wildlife including bears, elk and mountain lions. The peak is a nesting habitat for Peregrine Falcons, and will be closed seasonally each spring to protect the birds. As visitors ascend, they pass through diverse biomes and encounter ancient pinon, juniper and fir trees.
Visit Fisherspeakstatepark.com learn more about the park’s development and partners, and find answers to frequently asked questions. Contact us with any questions about planning your outdoor adventure and happy exploring!
Hero and slide show images courtesy of Tom Irions
HIKING & BACKPACKING
Miles of historic and scenic park trails run through meadows, grasslands, forests and riparian environments for unforgettable hiking and backpacking experiences. Trinidad Lake State Park offers trails for all abilities and the Sunset Point Trail is handicapped-accessible. The newly-opened Fisher’s Peak State Park offers two trails, and more are under development. The Wormhole Loop Trail is easily accessed and is just north of Simpson’s rest (near the Trinidad sign).
Activities for the whole family offering unique adventure and the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime. Contact us with any questions about planning your outdoor adventure and happy exploring!
- Apishapa Trail (#1324)
4.5 miles
moderate - Levy Krier Trail (#1392)
3.5 miles - Wahatoya Trail (#1304)
12 miles
moderate to difficult - West Peak Trail (#1390)
3 miles
difficult - Schafer/Chaparral Trail
3.5 miles
easy - Dike Trail (#1389)
3.5 miles
moderate - Dodgeton Trail (#1302)
5 miles
moderate - North Fork Trail (#1309)
4.5 miles
easy
CYCLING
Trinidad boasts various opportunities for cycling, whether riders want to enjoy the endless miles of gravel routes recently showcased in the Trinidad Gravel Adventure Guide, or want to ride on the road and follow segments of the Scenic Highway of Legends. The Boulevard Addition is also an option for riders wishing to stay closer to town, and complements Trinidad’s Riverwalk trail as a second in-town cycling route. Mountain biking trails can be found at Trinidad Lake State Park, and more are planned for Fisher’s Peak State Park, which is still under development.
WATER SPORTS
Experience the morning sunrise at Trinidad Lake State Park paddle boarding and kayaking around hidden shores and through the shadows of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range; or go extreme wakeboarding and kite surfing beneath the afternoon sun. For a more tranquil alpine still-water experience visit Monument Lake State Resort and North Lake. Trolling motors, kayaking and paddle boarding are permitted.
FISHING
From the Purgatoire River and Trinidad Lake State Park to Monument, North, Blue, and Bear lakes, and just blocks from Main Street in downtown Trinidad, every angler has the opportunity to experience our glistening beauty and reel in rainbow trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, crappie, wipers, smallmouth bass and perch. Trinidad Lake State Park, Monument Lake State Resort, and North Lake provide exhilarating winter ice-fishing opportunities.
CAMPING
Campers will enjoy views of Fisher’s Peak and the Rockies, hiking, fishing and other outdoor activates at campgrounds that include tent, basic, trailer and RV sites with access to potable water and flush restrooms. Trinidad Lake State Park, Monument, Blue, and Bear lakes, as well as San Isabel National Forest and Spanish Peaks Wilderness, offer a variety of campsite options. Also available at Trinidad Lake State Park are playgrounds, covered shelters with grills, volleyball courts and miles of trails.
Regardless of whether you are traveling in an RV, planning to car camp, or bring a tent, the camping options are many and varied. Contact us with any questions or for recommendations based on your needs and interests.
- Trinidad Lake State Park – Reservation only
RV, Trailer, Tent
719.846.6951 - Middle Fork Resort
Cabin Rentals
720.445.1195 - Monument Lake Resort
Tent, Cabin, Lodge, RV
719.868.2226 - Stonewall Lodge
RV, Tent, Lodge, Cabins
719.868.2294 - Picketwire Lodge
Lodge room rental
719.868.2265 - San Isabel National Forest
Purgatoire Campground (Equestrian Campground); Bear Lake Campground (Car, Tent, RV); and Blue Lakes Campground (Car, Tent, RV)
719.553.1400 - Cordova Pass Campground
3 tent sites
Highway 12 – FS Road 415 (Fee Station)
HUNTING
With more than 30,000 acres, the Whittington Center is a premier hunting, shooting, and outdoor recreation facility. Here you can find a shotgun center, firearms museum, and guided and unguided hunts. Full-service guided hunts are available for bull elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, spring turkey, and black bear. Unguided hunts are available for spring turkey. Just outside of Weston, CO is Bosque del Oso, which is a top hunting destination. Coldwater streams provide opportunities to fish as well.
GOLFING
Established in 1910, Trinidad Municipal Golf Course is one of the oldest courses in the state and has been recognized as one of “Colorado’s Best Nine Hole Golf Courses.” The picturesque views make this the perfect place to experience golf at its finest. You may even see some of our native wildlife during your round, so bring your camera.
DISC GOLF
Trinidad is home to the Southside Park disc golf course, which is a challenging course just off of I-25. Grab your disc and stop in for a quick nine, some great views, then stroll through downtown Trinidad where you can admire its assortment of 143 original historic buildings that date back to the 1800’s.
SKATEBOARDING AND BMX
Trinidad Skatepark is southern Colorado’s top skatepark!. This free, 15,000 sq. ft. concrete skatepark has earned rave reviews for its smooth bowls and endless lines. Built by Grindline Skateparks, with an infinite number of lines and unique features making it skateable for days. In 2007, it was rated #9 in the list of top skateparks by skater Tony Hawk! This is where your skateboarding teens can come to wear themselves out in total bliss. So, while you are busy checking out the museums, shopping, fishing, hiking, etc., the kids can be having a blast in a safe place on their own.
PICKLEBALL
A cross between tennis and badminton and ping-pong, pickleball is an up and coming sport and adults and youth alike, are flocking to this new outdoor recreation hotspot. Trinidad has 2 outdoor pickleball courts; one at the tennis courts at the Trinidad Municipal Golf Course and the other at the basketball court of Los Ninos Soccer Field. Indoor action can be found at the pickleball court in the Southside Community Center. So, pick up your paddle and get a ball, there is nothing quite as fun as pickleball.
THE RIVERWALK
The Trinidad Riverwalk meanders through Trinidad along the banks of the Purgatoire River. A multi-use trail, the Riverwalk invites walkers, joggers, and cyclists to take in the sites of Trinidad while enjoying the sounds of the river and the views of Fishers Peak to the south and Simpson’s Rest to the north. Don’t be surprised if you see a the occasional angler or tuber in the river as you go by.
NEARBY LAKES
TRINIDAD LAKE STATE PARK
Just west of Trinidad is Trinidad Lake, a quiet haven for anglers, hikers, bikers, campers, picnickers, horseback riders, boating, and water sport enthusiasts (including jet and water skiing).
32610 Colorado State
Highway 12
Trinidad, CO 81082
719.846.6951
cpw.state.co.us
MONUMENT LAKE
This popular recreation resort offers lodge rooms, cabins, partial and full RV sites and campsites. Experience Monument Lake in your kayak or canoe, or rent a pontoon boat for your family outing.
4789 Colorado State
Highway 12
Weston, CO 81091
719.868.2226
MonumentLakeResort.com
BEAR LAKE AND BLUE LAKE
Bear Lake: Here you will find direct access to a 23-mile trail system open to those on all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, foot and horse.
Blue Lake: Located in the San Isabel National Forest, the lake is stocked with fish several times during the summer.
Blue Lake Campground
From Colorado Highway 12 south of the Town of Cuchara, take FSR 422 4 miles west to the campground.
719.489.2034
www.recreation.gov
NORTH LAKE STATE WILDLIFE AREA
North Lake is state wildlife area located on the Scenic Highway of Legends. It was constructed in 1907 as a water supply for the City of Trinidad. The lake has a boat ramp and is stocked with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon and splake.
North Lake State Wildlife Area
Weston, CO 81091
719.561.5300
cpw.state.co.us
