trinidad lake state park

We got off the interstate and followed the signs to the campground. OMG we had to cross a very high dam in order to get here. The road was very narrow and I was praying that we could get all the way across without meeting some other vehicle. I was a bit disappointed that the water in the lake was so low. There was only power at the campsites no water. But the bathrooms were very nice.

Beautiful place, even in the nice weather of February, Disappointed to find it would have cost $7.00 just to enter the Park just to take a photo. Keep going west another three miles to Cokedale to see the largest set of coke ovens I have ever seen,

I was driving over the damn and noticed people out on the ice. I've never seen ice fishing in person, it was really exciting.

The lake was frozen while we were there. It was beautiful. & it was awesome getting to walk out on it! There was also someone out there ice fishing.

I live near this state park and only one mile from it's west end section. The park has great hiking trails and I am told the fishing can be very good on Trinidad Lake. Great views of Fisher's Peak, the flat topped mountain SE of Trinidad. Deer, coyotes and bobcats are frequent sightings as well as bear in the summer. The lake and nearby ponds in Long's canyon are great places to watch waterfowl during the migration seasons.

This area is close to town and easy to find, it is clean and has some facilities. There are not many photographic opportunities and I am not sure about fishing of other water sports.

Trinidad offers a fantastic lake for boating and fishing. It also has several camping areas. The lake is special because it supplies both warm and cold water. A double decker lake.

My friends and I didn't stay at the lake very long, but it was beautiful while we were there. We went in the late afternoon and visited the South Shore. We saw some geese, but no other people. We passed a turn off to a campground, but didn't look at it. It seems like a nice place to camp and hang out for a few days.

a bit complicated layout, took us several turn arounds to get where we wanted to go. Lake is big, really nice camping, and very good trails. We went to locate and see the "K-T Boundary" site at the Longs Canyon Trail.

I have been (at this point) 26 of Colorado's 42 parks. I was looking forward to (finally) getting to Trinidad, as I heard it had some really great fishing and was a lovely spot where the front range meets the Sangre de Cristo range. Since I came in the west side, I passed a couple of entrances that looked interesting.. esp. Reilly Canyon. Then I went into the Carpios entrance to get info from the Visitor Center... mainly where's the best place to fish. (They suggest the South area).The highest rating I will give a State Park is 4 / 5.. and that's because it wouldn't be fair to compare a State Park with a Federal National Park like Rocky Mountain.. so I try to keep the ratings consistent and in perspective. I gave Trinidad a 4 / 5 instead the "average" 3/5 because it does much more than allow locals to "cut their teeth" at camping and hiking, yet it has everything the big boys (like State Forest, Golden Gate, etc) have regarding facilities, fishing opportunities, hiking trails, scenic beauty, boating, and such. One thing I noticed was that the entire place was very clean and up to day. Some can say what they want.. but the showers are half most other parks (50c) and the water is plenty hot and great showerhead. Laundry facility room was clean, but didn't use, and don't know its prices. The trials are great as well, with a good variety of lengths and difficulty. Most are easy with a good view of the reservoir. The water level was low and not many boats out the day I went there. The level couldn't be too high.. as I fished right next to the dam (which should be the deepest part) and was only about 6" deep from the South Shore bank... which brings me to the fishing part.I was sad that I only caught 2 rainbows and I fished for 5 hours.. really wanting a monster cat and one of the other unusual varieties, like Mooneyes or such. I met two others and we fished together (and visited) most of that time.. with a grand total of 5 fish. (The young girl caught 3 rainbows - go figure). Other than that.. we completely struck out. If you get a big one.. please post a picture of it so I can believe there are some in there. (on an ending note.. I did meet the head ranger, the park's supervisor, whose name is Crystal and I was impressed. She reminded me of Justin at Highline State Park in which she was happy and interested in everyone having a good time and worried if they don't. To me, that's their main job in making sure everyone is having a good time and enjoying the park. People who are spending their precious vacation time at a State Park deserves ranger's time and attention to make it the best experience possible and I am sure that is how Bob Broscheid Colo's Dept. of Wildlife's Director) feels. If there is a problem at Trinidad, such as with a problematic ranger (like MD H's review) or other comments floating around town, she (Crystal) will correct it quickly.. it seems to be her nature... so talk to her if you run across a problem.)I enjoyed everyone I talked to there and they were very helpful. I wish there were more fish to be caught.. but that's my fault.. not theirs.

After extensive time spent on the phone with the park personnel, my wife and I journied from New Mexico to Trinidad, with the clear understanding that we would be permittted to dry camp with our self-contained motorhome near the water along the south shore. We were also told that fishing is permitted 24 hours a day! After stopping at the main visitors center and buying the required permits (which are numerous) we then went to the south shore, after buying yet another permit at that entrance for camping. We then located a suitable spot and are getting settled in for the evening, only to be accosted by two park rangers, telling us that we may NOT camp there, tegardless of what we were told over the phone prior to making the trip and at the visitors center earlier that day. Moreover, the gestapo insisted that fishing is allowed 24 hours a day but we had to be off the water by 10pm! My math cannot make that compute. Instead, we were directed to move to the "approved" campground further up the side of the hill. Peeved by now but realizing the hour was getting late, we reluctantly obeyed and found ourselves confined to a small camp area amid an exceedingly noisey cluster of campsites, complete with barking dogs running loose and kids yelling and screaming. Couple that with the endless myraid of traffic through the site all night, it was hardly a pleasant experience. When attempting to obtain a refund the following morning for the days we were not going to spend there, we were informed that no one would be available to talk with us until 10 am! Geez, I thought bankers had cushy hours but not even they get the perks of the Park Service! We left mailing instructions for the $14 refund and have heard nothing to date. The location is alright enough but when an area that small is overrun with that many park rangers with an attitude, its not going to be pleasant. Everyone seems fixated on flexing their "police-authority". Unless you are already in a really bad mood, I would avoid this park like the plague.

Good fishing, but campground facilities were disappointing. Staff acted like typical "state employees" not sure they knew what they were doing. One night the shower house was closed due to pipe problems. And don't forget your quarters to feed the pay shower which charges by the minute.

We were so surprised to find this wonderful campground. We have a small airstream and a tent. The sites are paved with a special area made for your tent. The tent area is gravel so bring a mattress if you are a tent camper. They have a lot of grass too. They have a lot of sites that overlook the lake. The playground is great! The bathrooms are clean but they don't have soap to wash your hands. It is very quiet. The staff people are very kind and courteous. They do everything right! It is awesome!

We camped in our 5th wheel trailer for 2 nights. Nice level site, some shade. There was electric at our site and water was right across from us. Easy access to the dumping station as you were leaving. Camp hosts were friendly and kept the place nice and clean. Oh and for those of you with children or grandchildren they have an awesome playground!

Enjoyed watching people fishing on the Lake but very limited leisure options and rangers not too knowledgeable