The nature of Colorado outnumbers the people, and it’s home to 42 state parks along with millions of acres of undeveloped land, mountains, national parks, campsites, lakes, and rivers.
Explore the vast plains and wetlands, cross the Continental Divide, take in the scenery of towering mountain ranges, and catch a peek of the region’s plentiful and spectacular animals.
All of these things are doable at the finest Colorado state parks near Breckenridge, Colorado.
Among the activities ready to steal your attention away from the gorgeous scenery is skiing of the best kind. Add incredible vistas, hiking and bike trails, a variety of eateries, and much, much more, all found in and around Breckenridge.
Explore the town and then make it your home base as you go on one of these enticing day excursions to the top five state parks nearby.
Map of State Parks Near Breckenridge CO
Here is a map of the Colorado state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Breckenridge
Because Breckenridge is situated in such an ideal central position, you will not be disappointed.
The Colorado Rockies are your gateway to adventure, offering everything from natural hot springs to quaint historic villages and expansive national parks to explore. Take a look at the closest options and start making travel plans.
Below are each of those state parks with their distance from Breckenridge and a few of the attractions they offer.
1. Sylvan Lake State Park
Location: 10200 Brush Creek Rd, Eagle, CO 81631
Find everything you could want in nature at Sylvan Lake State Park, including beautiful mountain scenery, peaceful aspen groves, and a tranquil lake that provides a restful getaway. Y
ou can choose to lodge in one of the 46 campsites, a yurt, or a cabin. Next, rent a kayak or canoe, and go fishing in a stocked lake, although you cannot swim at this particular lake.
Anglers may cast their lines into the lake and rivers in search of rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and brown trout. Hikers can enjoy the almost seven miles of hiking routes with quick and simple access to the national forest.
Recreational boaters of all kinds use the 42-acre lake, including canoeists, kayakers, paddlers, and those with electric motor boats.
Finally, the park allows tons of activities for winter, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, sledding, access to snowmobile tracks, and a cozy cottage.
2. Staunton State Park
Location: 12102 S Elk Creek Rd, Pine, CO 80470
Forty miles west of Denver, you will find Colorado’s Staunton State Park, the newest addition on a historic ranch location. It boasts a wide diversity of sceneries, from green meadows to stunning granite cliffs, thanks to its height range of 8,100 feet to 10,000 feet.
Elk, deer, and mountain lions find sanctuary in the park, which you can see on the many trails perfect for walking, biking, and even riding horses. In addition, many visitors spend their days fishing at one of the three lakes.
Staunton State Park’s diverse geology, soils, water features, and climate support unique wildlife. Frances Hornbrook Staunton gave the original 1,720 acres to what was then Colorado State Parks in 1986.
The park’s present size of 3,828 acres results from gradual expansion. Enjoy one of the 25 walk-in campsites to gain full access to the beauty and unwind from your day-to-day life.
3. Spinney Mountain State Park
Location: 4229 County Road 92, Lake George, CO 80827
Colorado’s Spinney Mountain State Park sits on the other side of the Continental Divide, offering incredible beauty sprawled over 1,420 acres.
The park gets its name from Spinney Mountain, which stands at an impressive 9,700 feet above sea level.
Two lakes, Spinney Reservoir and Antero Reservoir, are also part of the park, making it the perfect location for fishing and water-crafting.
The park also features a network of pathways ideal for hiking and bicycling and two huge reservoirs that are great for fishing, boating, and swimming.
The park’s paths are great for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter, and ice fishing is possible in the reservoirs. However, you cannot camp at this campground, so you will need to find other options nearby if you want to stay for a while.
You can enjoy a variety of fishing styles, though, including shoreline, fly, or even belly boating if you want a new place out on the water.
4. Eleven Mile State Park
Location: 4229 Co Rd 92, Lake George, CO 80827
The eleven-mile stretch of land known as Eleven Mile State Park became a part of the landscape since its inception in 1909. The park’s namesake, Eleven Mile Reservoir, provides a popular spot for camping, boating, and fishing.
Pull out your poles and try your hand at catching rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon in the reservoir. Enjoy outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, and horseback riding if you prefer to stay on dry land.
Put your canoe in the water and spend the day paddling around the remote coastline. Eleven Mile is a favorite spot for sailing, windsurfing, and winter ice boating because of the consistent wind that blows over the open water.
There are beautiful views to take in, either fishing from the shore or trolling from a boat. With several campgrounds on the site, you can find exactly what you want, especially if you want to hunt in the fall on prime waterfowl.
5. Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Location: 92 Crawford Gulch Rd, Golden, CO 80403
If you are looking for a large state park, go no further than Golden Gate Canyon, which spans over 12,000 acres.
The park features camping, fishing, and miles of trails perfect for mountain biking, hiking, and even equestrian riding. Also, try out hunting during the designated season or rock climbing, although there are restrictions for both.
Access the park all year round, but cross-country skiing and snowshoeing thrive there in the winter.
During the spring and summer months, fish are released into all five of the park’s fishing ponds: Kriley, Slough, Dude’s Fishing Hole, Forgotten Valley, and the ranch.
With 35 miles of trails, you could spend days alone with just your horse to keep you company. Stay at the park, too, in cabins, yurts, the wilderness, and up-to-date campsites.
Some camping spots at this park have access to electricity and restrooms nearby.
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