Top state parks
State ParkRoxborough State Park
State ParkMancos State Park
State ParkChatfield State Park
State ParkLory State Park
State ParkCastlewood Canyon State Park
State ParkTrinidad Lake State Park
State ParkMueller State Park
State ParkEldorado Canyon State Park
State ParkStaunton State Park
State ParkSteamboat Lake State Park
State ParkGolden Gate Canyon State Park
State ParkHighline Lake State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (40)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roxborough State Park | Douglas County | — | Roxborough Park | 5 |
| Mancos State ParkMesa Verde | Montezuma County | — | Mancos | 2 |
| Chatfield State Park | Jefferson County | — | Columbine | 7 |
| Lory State Park | Larimer County | — | Laporte | 5 |
| Castlewood Canyon State Park | Douglas County | — | Castle Rock | 5 |
| Trinidad Lake State Park | Las Animas County | — | Trinidad | 3 |
| Mueller State Park | Teller County | — | Cripple Creek | 4 |
| Eldorado Canyon State Park | Boulder County | — | Coal Creek | 5 |
| Staunton State Park | Jefferson County | — | Upper Bear Creek | 4 |
| Steamboat Lake State Park | Routt County | — | Steamboat Springs | 2 |
| Golden Gate Canyon State Park | Gilpin County | — | Coal Creek | 5 |
| Highline Lake State Park | Mesa County | — | Loma | 3 |
| Lathrop State Park | Huerfano County | — | Walsenburg | 3 |
| Lake Pueblo State Park | Pueblo County | — | Pueblo West | 5 |
| Bonny Lake State Park | Yuma County | — | Burlington | 1 |
| Boyd Lake State Park | Larimer County | — | Loveland | 6 |
| Yampa River State Park | Routt County | — | Hayden | 2 |
| Sylvan Lake State Park | Eagle County | — | Eagle | 3 |
| Navajo State Park | Archuleta County | — | Bayfield | 1 |
| Pearl Lake State Park | Routt County | — | Steamboat Springs | 2 |
| Cherry Creek State Park | Arapahoe County | — | Cherry Creek | 7 |
| Cheyenne Mountain State Park | El Paso County | — | Fort Carson | 6 |
| Crawford State ParkBlack Canyon Of The Gunnison | Delta County | — | Paonia | 2 |
| Ridgway State Park | Ouray County | — | Ouray | 1 |
| Rifle Falls State Park | Garfield County | — | Silt | 2 |
| Rifle Gap State Park | Garfield County | — | Rifle | 3 |
| Eleven Mile State Park | Park County | — | Cripple Creek | 3 |
| St. Vrain State Park | Weld County | — | Firestone | 5 |
| Stagecoach State Park | Routt County | — | Steamboat Springs | 2 |
| State Forest State Park | Jackson County | — | Estes Park | 3 |
| Harvey Gap State Park | Garfield County | — | Silt | 3 |
| Jackson Lake State Park | Morgan County | — | Fort Morgan | 3 |
| James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park | Mesa County | — | Clifton | 6 |
| John Martin Reservoir State Park | Bent County | — | Las Animas | 1 |
| Barr Lake State Park | Adams County | — | Brighton | 5 |
| Vega State Park | Mesa County | — | Battlement Mesa | 2 |
| North Sterling State Park | Logan County | — | Sterling | 2 |
| San Luis State ParkGreat Sand Dunes | Alamosa County | — | Alamosa East | 2 |
| Spinney Mountain State Park | Park County | — | Buena Vista | 3 |
| Elkhead State Park | Routt County | — | Hayden | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.