Pearl Lake State Park
🏆 Official Guide: Pearl Lake State Park — A peaceful, wakeless lake nestled high in the mountains, perfect for quiet fishing, SUP, and scenic mountain camping.
Pearl Lake State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Clark, and is approximately 180 miles northwest from the city of Denver. The park offers fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, and paddle boarding with scenic views of Pearl Lake.
Activities
There are a large variety of activities available to Pearl Lake State Park visitors.
Here are some highlights of the many things to do at Pearl Lake park:
Boating At Pearl Lake State Park
Pearl Lake offers visitors an incredible boating experience across a gorgeous lake surface. This lake is restricted to wakeless boating and fishing vessels online, with self-propelled boats allowed. Keep in mind that all boats must be inspected for aquatic nuisance species (ANS) before launching in order to help preserve Pearl Lake.
Boat registrations can be purchased at steamboat lake visitor center, and the lake is open from mid-May to the end of October, depending on conditions. Check out the Pearl Lake State Park website to check on average conditions in advance of your trip.
Paddleboarding is also allowed within the lake, so long as all safety precautions are followed and paddleboarders are careful around other water vehicles.
Hiking At Pearl Lake State Park
While Pearl Lake State Park is not known for its hiking trails, visitors can follow the road from the boat ramp to the dam to enjoy scenic views within the park, as well as to carry on to the Coulton Creek Trail in Routt National Forest. Paths between the campsite locations can also be walked for a relaxing route alongside natural scenery. Keep in mind that biking conditions are not ideal within the park nor along these trails.
Fishing At Pearl Lake State Park
With 167 acres of water surface area to fish on, Pearl Lake is a fishing haven. This reservoir is home to cutthroat trout, grayling, and more during the summer months. Bear in mind that fishing is best at the end of May, as well as the start of the fall. All local and state fishing limits are enforced, and there is no bait fishing allowed in the lake. Be sure to follow all bag limits when fishing at the state park.
Ice fishing is also allowed in the park during the correct season, however, this is restricted to flies and lures only. Keep in mind that ice fishing can be treacherous, and use common sense when approaching a frozen body of water. Carry all safety equipment necessary when preparing to ice fishing, and be sure to follow all park guidelines.
Picnicking At Pearl Lake State Park
Pearl Lake State Park is home to seven picnic sites, complete with tables and grills or fire rings. These locations offer stunning views of the waterfront and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is also a wildlife viewing deck for those hoping to catch a glimpse of local wildlife or waterfowl.
Winter Activities At Pearl Lake State Park
While there is no off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in the park, snowmobiles are an exception to this rule. Even if you are someone who would rather take things slow, the park is an incredible winter wonderland worth exploring on foot or on skis during the winter months.
With over 300 inches of annual snowfall, the park is a haven for those looking to cross-country ski or snowshoe, and once the lake has frozen over this location is popular for ice fishing. Keep in mind that traversing a frozen lake or river is always a risk, and to know how to judge the safety of various frozen bodies of water before attempting to cross.
Pets At Pearl Lake State Park
Pearl Lake State Park welcomes dog owners and their dogs, so long as all pets are kept on a 6-foot or shorter leash, and all waste is properly disposed of.
Camping At Pearl Lake State Park
Pearl Lake State Park offers 36 backcountry campsites, as well as two yurts available for rent. These campsites are available for reservation online and have a variety of amenities, though there are no RV hookups currently available in the park. The various yurts include electric heat and electric amenities, as well as screened windows and one pet-friendly yurt available for reservation.
Winter camping is allowed in the yurts on the park premises with advance reservation. For more information or to make a reservation, check out the Pearl Lake State Park website.
Park Location
Pearl Lake State Park 61105 Rcr 129 Clark CO 80428 Phone: 970.879.3922 Website Reservations
Map
Video
Here is an interesting video highlighting a number of things to do at Pearl Lake State Park:
🌲 Looking for incredible mountain scenery and peaceful fishing?
Book a campsite at Pearl Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Colorado state parks pass cost?
A daily vehicle pass costs $9-$10 depending on the park. The Keep It Colorado Annual Pass costs $80 and covers unlimited vehicle entry to all 42 Colorado state parks for one year.
Can I get altitude sickness at Colorado state parks?
Yes, altitude sickness can affect visitors at parks above 8,000 feet, which includes many mountain and reservoir parks. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and shortness of breath. Acclimate gradually and stay hydrated.
What are the best state parks near Denver?
Popular parks near Denver include Cherry Creek (30 min), Chatfield (30 min), Roxborough (45 min), Castlewood Canyon (45 min), and Staunton (1 hour). Cherry Creek and Chatfield fill quickly on summer weekends.
Are dogs allowed at Colorado state parks?
Dogs are allowed at most Colorado state parks but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Some wildlife areas and swim beaches may restrict pets. Always clean up after your dog and respect posted rules.
Explore More Colorado State Parks
Pearl Lake State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Colorado. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Colorado guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
