Conditions

Boating - 5/16/2013 Highline Lake is open to all boats for fishing, water boarding, jet-skiing or working out the kinks from sitting all winter. May 18 & 19 ONLY, boaters will use the WEST park entrance, and will launch AFTER 8 am! ANS inspections are required unless the boat has a seal, and beginning May 18, are available Mon-Fri 7 am to 8 pm. and on weekends 6 am to 9 pm. Decontaminations are available any day, 8 am to 4 pm ONLY. BE AWARE of changes to ANS inspections for the upcoming season. ALL BOATS WITH ANY BALLAST TANKS will go through decontamination unless the boat has a seal. After May 19, enter the park on the East (Visitor Center) side for timely ANS inspections and decontaminations! Camping - 5/16/2013 The campground and Camper Services Building are open year round, with hot showers and laundry facilities. Reservations are the only way to guarantee a spot for weekends and holidays March through October, and may be made up to six months in advance. Make reservations online at www.parks.state.co.us or call 1-800-678-2267 (call 303-470-1144 in Denver metro area). Reservations must be made a minimum of three days before your arrival date. Try camping on a weeknight! Cell Phone Coverage - 5/16/2013 Cell phone coverage in and around the park is usually good with most carriers; some carriers can be spotty, due to the low-lying areas and small hills in the park, such as near the west boat ramp and Mack Mesa. Fire Restrictions - 5/16/2013 Charcoal fires in grills and wood fires in fire rings are currently allowed! No fireworks are allowed in the park. Fishing Report - 5/16/2013 Fishing is always fun at both Mack Mesa and Highline Lakes! Both lakes were stocked this spring, and the trout are biting. May 18 and 19, boaters must use the west park entrance for an ANS inspection, and will launch after 8 am. See Boating Conditions for more ANS information. Park Entrance - 5/16/2013 May 18 and 19 ONLY, boaters must use the WEST park entrance for ANS inspections! Beginning May 18, Inspectors are available Mon-Fri 7 am to 8 pm and weekends 6 am to 9 pm; decontaminations are available any day 8 am to 4 pm ONLY. The Visitor's Center at the East Gate is currently open from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm, although hours may vary into the evenings, depending on staffing. Always stop at the stop signs! The Visitor's Center offers a friendly welcome as well as all registrations and renewals. Check out our animal displays and retail store! All credit cards are accepted at the East Gate except American Express. The automated machines at both the East entrance and the West Gate accept those same credit cards and cash for day passes, Annual and camping passes. Swimming Conditions - 5/16/2013 The swimbeach is open and the water has warmed up into the 60s! May 18 and 19 ONLY, the swim beach and day use picnic area will open AFTER 9 am! Be brave and take a dip, then warm up in the sunshine. Trails - 5/16/2013 Now is the time to get into shape for upcoming summer trail riding. Hiking the trail system within the park is a great way to start or end the day - sunrises and sunsets at Highline Lake are amazing - bring a camera! We appreciate your continuing efforts to keep the park and trails clean by leashing and picking up after your dog. A reminder that pets must be on a leash 6' or less at all times - the trails included! There are free trash bags available at the visitor center, or from any park staff member. Please report any issues on the trails to the Visitor's Center. Thanks! Water Temperature - 5/16/2013 Highline Lake is warming up very slowly. The water is warmer each week, but still in the 60s!