Ridgway State Park
4.7(1.9K)google
4.2(20)yelp
BoatingFishingKayakingLake
Overview
Ridgway State Park is a state park located in Ouray County, Colorado, United States. The park is 21 miles southeast of Montrose, 14 miles northeast of Ouray, 4 miles north of the town of Ridgway and 312 miles southwest of Denver. The wildlife consists of deer, mountain lions, coyotes, rabbits, and elk.
Practical Info
Every dayOpen 24 hours
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeJune to September is premier for crystal-clear reservoir boating, swim-beach relaxation, and shore fishing. The absolute finest window is 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at sunset; head to the park's dynamic overlooks to watch the low-angle rays strike the jagged, towering peak of Mount Sneffels to the south, casting a glowing amber reflection over the blue water.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned at 28555 US-550 just 5 miles north of Ridgway town center. Accessing the park is very straightforward by car; drive south from Montrose on US-550 for roughly 20 miles to find the grand state park entrance clearly signed on your right. Developed paved parking loops and boat boat-ramps line the distinct recreation areas.
Travel Tips
- Operated strictly under Colorado Parks & Wildlife jurisdiction, federal interagency passes are completely invalid here. Every vehicle must purchase a standard CPW day pass at the entry gatehouses or self-service kiosks and display it clearly; un-ticketed vehicle platforms inside loops trigger heavy fines.
- The central reservoir launch footprint at Dutch Charlie Marina completely fills and stalls by 9:15 AM on peak summer weekends. If not trailering a motorized watercraft, do not cross into the double-length staging arteries; deflect north into the spacious Pa-Co-Chu-Puk day-use lots.
- The park intersects a high-density black bear and cougar hunting corridor, specifically along the dense Uncompahgre River Trail brush lines. Wildlife statutes dictate that all picnickers and overnight campers lock all food, cosmetics, and scented refuse inside heavy-gauge steel Bear Boxes.
Reviews
Positive
- The reservoir is mirror-flat against the backdrop of the rugged Sneffels Range, looking like a living painting with outstanding visual impact.
- The campgrounds, showers, and restrooms are impeccably clean and well-signed, with excellent accessible ramps across all day-use areas.
- It offers a rich matrix of recreation, from beach swimming and kayaking to fishing and educational wildlife or bird watching.
- Compared to the highly expensive and packed Telluride nearby, entry and camping fees here are low, providing a quiet, pristine nature retreat.
Heads up
- Due to high-altitude mountain patterns, severe gusts can kick up suddenly on summer afternoons, endangering paddleboarders out on the open water.
- Natural mature shade trees are sparse around the beach and lower camp loops, leaving vast open areas baked under the sun with minimal shelters.
- National Parks Passes are not accepted; visitors must pay a separate Colorado State Park daily fee, which feels excessive for a brief rest stop.
- During peak July and August weekends, boat launches and prime picnic nodes experience brief bottlenecks, and the staff can get overwhelmed.