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  Activities

Biking - 1/8/2013
All trails are open, but snow covered. Trail maps are available at our Visitor Center. Enjoy!
Birding - 6/13/2012
For a complete birding checklist for Ouray County, stop by the Visitor Center! Look for American Robins and Mountain Bluebirds. Birding opportunities abound at Ridgway State Park throughout the year. Over 140 species of migratory and resident birds have been identified in the park, including many species of waterfowl and shorebirds such as Sandhill Cranes, American Avocets, Great Blue Herons, Western Grebes and White-faced Ibises, which are attracted to the open water of the reservoir and its three in-flowing streams. In the winter enjoy observing Mountain Chickadees, Black-capped Chickadees, Common Ravens, Black-billed Magpies, Red-breasted Nuthatches, White-breasted Nuthatches, Dark-eyed Juncos, Western Scrub-Jays and Great Horned Owls. Confirmed summer breeders in the park include American Dippers, Black-chinned Hummingbirds, Western Meadowlarks, Red-naped Sapsuckers, Mountain Bluebirds, Western Bluebirds, Violet-green Swallows, White-throated Swifts, Red-tailed Hawks, Golden Eagles and many others. Common raptors include Northern Harriers, Ospreys, American Kestrels, Northern Goshawks, Peregrine Falcons and Bald Eagles.
Boating - 11/5/2012
THE BOAT RAMP IS CLOSED effective November 1, 2012. It is scheduled to re-open March 15, 2013, conditions permitting.
Cabins and Yurts - 6/13/2012
Three comfy Yurts are open and can be reserved year-round, offering a great opportunity for winter camping! Each has amenities including heat, electricity, microwave, fridge, and sleeps up to six. Water hydrants are outside, as are the flush and vault restrooms. Showers are available during the summer.
Camping - 11/5/2012
Sites #1-23 are open to camping in the Dakota Terraces Campgrouds all winter. RV and tent campers may enjoy these sites with a open flush restroom on a first come, first serve basis. Yurts are available either first-come, first-serve or through reservations. For reservations, please call 800-678-2267. For a more remote experience tent campers can tent camp at Sites # 281-295 at H Loop in Pa Co Chu Puk all winter. A vault restroom is open in the area. For park information, please call (970)626-5822 x10.
Education Programs - 3/16/2013
The astronomy program scheduled for 3/16/2013 was cancelled due to poor weather. We are trying to reschedule in April. Please contact our office at 626-5822 for more information. Our formal 2012 interpretive and environmental education programs are finished for the season. However we will hold some winter programs and on park programs may be available upon request. Check our events calendar, or call the park at (970)626-5822x10.
Equipment Rental - 1/8/2013
Feeling unprepared? Looking for something new or different to do? The following items are available for loan: Fishing poles and tackle (mostly youth sized poles); Also, "Family Activity Backpacks" come fully equipped with journals, binoculars, magnifiers, guidebooks and magnifying "bug" boxes, along with suggested activities and "fun facts" sheets for an extra special adventure at the park! Again, all of these items are available at NO cost (outside of regular entrance fees). If interested in borrowing any of these items, contact a ranger and/or entrance gate staff, or inquire at the Visitor Center.
Fishing - 6/9/2013
The reservoir is 94% full and continues to rise this week. Our most recent stocking of the reservoir, with 2,000 catchable rainbow trout, occurred on the 7th of May. Both shore fishermen and boaters are reporting very good fishing for stocker-sized fish (8”-12”) with a few larger fish (18”-20”) being caught. The catch is mostly rainbows, but there have also been some browns and smallmouth bass. Shore fishermen are doing well along the Dallas Creek day use area and Mears Bay shorelines. Shore fisherman should to try gold Kastmasters, rainbow or green Power Bait, or worms off the bottom. Boat fishermen are having luck with gold Kastmasters and black/silver sinking Rapalas near the dam, the west shore, and around the opening to Mears Bay. Fishing in the Uncompahgre River at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is excellent. Our most recent stocking of the river, with 200 cutthroat trout, occurred on the 1st of May. The river flows are currently at around 86 CFS, and will increase soon. Fly fisherman are doing well on bead-headed nymphs, pheasant tails and brown wooly buggers; copper johns and small midges are also working. Spin fisherman are doing well with gold Mepps and yellow/black Panther Martins. Please remember that the Uncompahgre River in Pa-Cu-Chu-Puk is restricted to flies and lures only, and all fish caught must be returned to the river immediately. The ponds at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk have a good population of rainbows and some brown trout, and fishing in June has been very good. Fishermen have been doing well with worms and salmon eggs on top in the mornings and evenings, and various colors of Power Bait off the bottom in the afternoon.
Geocaching - 1/8/2013
Ridgway State Park hosts 3 geocaching sites, logged and registered at geocaching.com. Trails are snowpacked but the sites remain accessible.
Gold Panning - 8/24/2011
There are multiple gold panning areas near to the park. Contact the Ouray Chamber of Commerce at www.ouraycolorado.com for more information.
Golfing - 6/27/2011
There are golf courses in area, the closest being the Divide Ranch and Club Golf Course, only 7 miles away.
Group Camping - 7/17/2012
While there are no group camping areas, there are three Group Eating Areas in the campgrounds. These areas can ONLY be reserved by campers due to limited parking. (Check the fees page for more information.) Two are in C-Loop in the Dakota Terraces Campground in the Dutch Charlie area and one in G-Loop, in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground. The C-Loop sites can accommodate up to 50 people and feature a concrete pad, large barbecue grill, four picnic tables and a water hydrant. The G-Loop site can accommodate up to 75 people and has a shade shelter, concrete pad, fire ring, large barbecue grill, six picnic tables and a water hydrant.
Group Picnicking - 1/8/2013
May thru September there are two shelters located in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of the park. Shelter A accommodates 150 people; shelter B accommodates 100 people. Both are next to the Uncompahgre River offering an ideal setting to celebrate weddings, family reunions, company picnics and parties of all kinds. You can rent one or both for an event. Call the park office for availability; check the fees page for rate information. There are also three smaller 'Group Picnic Areas' in the campgrounds that are available on a 'first come first served' basis, or by reservation for a small fee by camping groups in the park.
Hiking - 1/8/2013
Trails are all snowpacked at this time but open and accessible. Over 14 miles of trail are available and vary by length, terrain, and ecosystem. Trail maps are available at our Visitor Center. Enjoy!
Horseback Riding - 6/13/2012
Horses are permitted only on road shoulders and in the meadows. Horses are prohibited on all gravel trails, concrete and asphalt surfaces.
Hunting - 6/27/2011
Due to limited backcountry areas and the proximity of recreation facilities hunting is limited. ALSO, because of year-round visitation to the park by a variety of recreation user groups we ask ALL HUNTERS TO CHECK IN each season with the ranger staff at the Visitor Center for specific and updated information on hunting at Ridgway State Park. Big game and small game hunting on the EAST side of Hwy 550 starts the Tuesday after Labor Day and extends through the Friday before Memorial Day (according to current seasons and licenses). Waterfowl hunting is permitted on the Dallas Creek shoreline October 1 - April 30 (according to current seasons and licenses). Big and small game hunting along the WEST shoreline of the reservoir is open October 1 - April 30 (according to current seasons and licenses) Hunters should check with the park office for a site map, specific closures and regulations.
Ice Fishing - 1/8/2013
There is minimal ice at this time so EXTREME CAUTION should be exercised. The ice varies from 5 inches at it's thickest point in Mears Bay to 2.5 inches although continued cold temperatures will add to the ice thickness. Recommended gear includes PFD's, and ice picks.
Ice Skating - 1/8/2013
Ice skating opportunities exist in Pa Co Chu Puk on the ponds and in Mears Bay on the Reservoir. All skaters should EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION due to varying conditions. Ice thickness in Mears Bay varies from 5 inches at the most thick to 2.5 inches at the perimeters. Continued cold temperatures will contribute to ice conditions. Staff recommends appropriate winter clothes as well as PFD, and ice picks if on the ice.
OHV Riding - 6/13/2012
There is NO OHV riding permitted in the park, however, excellent OHV/Jeep trails are located 15 minutes away near Ouray Colorado. Contact Park Office for more information at (970)626-5822 or the Ouray Chamber of Commerce at www.ouraycolorado.com
Photography - 6/13/2012
There are many good opportunities to photograph our spectacular scenery and wildlife in and around the park.
Picnicking - 6/13/2012
87 picnicking sites are located throughout the park, including near the swim beach and playgrounds. Explore the beauty of Ridgway and retire to a picturesque setting for a picnic. Many picnicking sites are universally accessible and offer the comforts of shelters, restrooms and nearby drinking water hydrants.
Rock Climbing - 6/27/2011
Limited, check with park staff.
Sailboarding - 6/27/2011
Wind surfing is popular during the summer, and most launch from the Dallas Creek shoreline. Watch for floating driftwood during times of rapid runoff.
Sledding - 1/8/2013
A sled run has been groomed near the play ground at the swim beach.
Snowmobiling - 1/8/2013
Snowmobiling is not allowed on the park but there are many locations on public lands near by.
Snowshoeing - 1/8/2013
Snowshoeing is allowed on the park and some trails have been groomed for winter activities.
Swimming - 1/8/2013
THE SWIMBEACH IS CLOSED TO SWIMMING for season. There is no swimming from shore at Ridgway at this time. NOTE: Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
Volleyball - 6/13/2012
Volleyball courts are located at the swim beach, group picnic area, Pa-Co-Chu-Puk day use area.
Water Skiing - 1/8/2013
The lake is closed to boating November 1-March 15 (conditions permitting). When the lake is open, warm weather during the summer season makes the reservoir extremely attractive for water skiers and wakeboarders alike. The reservoir is about 5 miles long with 1,030 surface-acres of water at an elevation of 6,871 feet. NOTE: Watch for floating driftwood during times of rapid runoff and don't forget your red or orange flag!
Whitewater rafting - 6/27/2011
On the Uncompahgre River, south of the park - as conditions allow. Recommended for small rafts and kayaks only. No boats are allowed in Pa Co Chu Puk on the river below the dam. Rafting guides available at www.fishrigs.com, small crafts are available for rent at the Ridgway Outdoor Experience.
Wildlife Viewing - 1/8/2013
Great opportunities for wildlife viewing are available at Ridgway State Park, stop by the Visitor Center for a "Watchable Wildlife" Brochure and more information. Mule deer can be seen fairly close year-round. Several small mammal species including chipmunk, mink, marmot, rabbit and skunk can also be seen. In addition, large mammals including elk, bobcat, mountain lion, big horn sheep and black bear, and now moose can be spotted throughout Ouray County and the surrounding area, and OCCASIONALLY on the park. Several species of birds frequent the park including many kinds of waterfowl and shorebirds, songbirds, and raptors. See the "Birding" section for more information.
Winter Activities - 1/8/2013
Great snow conditions have contributed to expanded recreational activities on the park including 3 +miles of packed cross-country trails, a packed sled hill near the swim beach, ice fishing, and camping, hiking, photography are some of the winter activities available on the park. As well visitors can base out of the park to do many activities in the area including, skiing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice climbing.
Winter Camping - 6/13/2012
RV and walk-in tent camping are available first-come, first-serve basis through the winter. The RV camping is in A loop of the Dakota Terraces Campground with a heated flush restroom. Walk in Tent Camping is available in H loop of the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground with a vault restroom. Yurts are also available year-round first-come, first-serve and through reservations.