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431 University St., Trinidad, CO 81082 (719) 846-1515
Southern Colorado Recreation
There is no excuse for being bored in the Trinidad, Walsenburg, and La Veta areas. With boundless recreational opportunities including fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and sight seeing, along with a mild climate, there is year round outdoor activity. The area is very popular for horses too. Public access is available through National Forest, State Parks and State Wild Life Areas.
Public Lands
San Isabel National Forest includes over one million acres of beautiful scenery with snow-capped mountain peaks, spring wildflowers, autumn colors, crystal clear mountain lakes, clear blue skies to enjoy and miles and miles of excellent alpine hiking trails. The forest has a diversity of landscapes, alpine zones and geology to enjoy. Black bear, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, turkey, and mountain lions are among the animals and birds that make the Forest their home.
Hunting and Fishing in the region are excellent, attracting enthusiasts from around the country.
Monument Lake
Monument Lake is a high altitude lake nestled among the pines with view of the peaks beyond. It is a popular destination for day trips or camping. Both this lake and nearby North Lake offer fishing and other year round outdoor activities.
A legend here tells of two Indian chiefs who, in search of water for their thirsty tribes, met and embraced in peace, crying for the lack of water. A lake formed at their feet and a volcano erupted, enclosing the two chiefs in the rock at the center of the lake.
Bear & Blue Lakes
Bear Lake Campground is located in the beautiful San Isabel National Forest at an elevation of 10,480 ft. Views of the nearby Culebra Range Mountains with aspen and spruce forests offer campers a genuine Colorado experience. A quieter well marked trail system between Bear Lake and Blue Lake is open to foot and horse traffic. A tributary of the Cuchara River runs through the campground. This is a terrific area for a fall hike to see the changing of the seasons.
Trinidad Lake State Park
Close to Trinidad, this park offers fishing, hiking and boating. There are 62 campsites, electricity, showers, laundry, group shelters. many locals haul their boats to the lake for some cool summer fun. Anglers catch rainbow and brown trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye, crappie and bluegill.
The pinion-juniper forest surrounding the lake offers wildlife viewing of many bird species including pinion jay and roadrunners as well as deer, elk, and a variety of smaller animals.
North Lake
North Lake is a reservoir located just 29.9 miles from Trinidad, near Monument Park. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including splake, cutthroat trout, brook trout and rainbow trout here. Whether you’re spinning, fly fishing or bait-casting your chances of getting a bite here are good. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to North Lake.
Scenic Highway of Legends
One of the first three scenic Highways in the State of Colorado and also one of the most scenic, beautiful and historic drives in Colorado. The Colorado State Scenic Byway begins either in La Veta or Trinidad and takes you through 22 communities, points of interest, scenic vistas, historical, cultural and recreational areas. As you get to know this area be sure to take the drive around the Highway of Legends. This is one of the absolutely most beautiful drives in the entire State of Colorado!