What Makes It Great
The canyon is reached on a narrow gravel road that was a railroad line in the past. The canyon holds the sparkling waters of the South Platte River, and features challenges for intermediate and expert kayakers, with short stretches suitable for floating. Its a favorite spot for anglers drawn to the Gold Medal fishing, and has several campgrounds and picnic areas as well. Eleven Mile Reservoir is the centerpiece of Eleven Mile State Park. It provides great fishing and flat water paddling opportunities.
A part of the Denver Water Departments water holdings, the waters of Eleven Mile Reservoir are cold and windswept, and they cover almost 3,400 acres. The reservoir is known for its fishing riches, with kokanee salmon, trout and pike. Motorized boats are allowed at the reservoir, and it can be extremely windy, so beginners have to be aware of the possibility of rougher water. But that windswept landscape that seems to stretch to the horizon is also what makes this place addicting.
Nine campgrounds are scattered around the massive reservoir. Its wide-open views make it a great camping spot for bird-watchers and stargazers. For those who want to get away from the busy campgrounds, there are also 25 secluded backcountry sites for those who want to stay overnight.
Five miles of trails include the Black Bear Trail, a 0.6-mile path that leads to these backcountry sites .
Campgrounds Near Tarryall Reservoir
The paved County Road 77 north from Lake George connects Highway 24 with Highway 285 by Jefferson. Its a beautiful hour-long drive that passes by Tarryall Reservoir on the way. This state wildlife area is another splendid place to fish and boat, with several campgrounds and dispersed camping nearby. The lake is only thirty minutes north of Lake George, so its easy to access town if you need supplies.
A Brief Introduction To Eleven Mile State Park
Eleven Mile State Park is a Colorado State Park located in Park County, 11 miles south of Lake George, Colorado, United States. Established in 1970, the 7,662-acre park surrounds 3,405-acre , 5.5 miles long Eleven Mile Reservoir. Facilities include a marina, a visitors center and over 300 campsites. There are 5 miles of trails available for hikers and bicyclists. Fish species include cutthroat, rainbow, brown trout and northern pike. Eleven Mile Reservoir is famous for the thriving Kokanee salmon population found in the river current along the north side of the reservoir known as the Dream Stream. This reservoir is also known for being very windy in the afternoon. A required daily vehicle park pass can be obtained at the entrance of the park. Daily species possession limits are as follows: trout, 4 total, two over 16″ and two under 16″, or four under 16″ salmon, 10 pike and crawdads, unlimited. Cottontail rabbit, white-tailed jackrabbit, coyote, muskrat and ground squirrels are commonly seen in the park. Mule deer, pronghorn, porcupine, badger, black bear and elk are seen occasionally.Under the reservoir in the state park lie three former communities, which had flourished prior to 1933, Howbert, Idlewild, and Freshwater Station, Colorado. The towns were submerged to provide for the water needs of the city and county of Denver.
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Eleven Mile State Park North Shore Overview
Eleven Mile State Park North Shore campground has 80 single-family campsites and is located next to Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir. There are not any trees in the campground, but you will have panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. and water. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and laundry facilities . Theres also an amphitheater, camp store and dump station.
Rocky Ridge campground is and the 11 Mile Marina are located nearby. The marina has a boat ramp, boat rentals, store, and fishing equipment rentals.
Eleven Mile State Park North Shore Area Recreation
The Park and area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, hiking, mountain biking, windsurfing, hunting, picnicking and great fishing. Wildlife viewing is also very nice in the area. Winter activities include fish fishing, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.
- Restrooms
- Showers
Activities At Eleven Mile Reservoir
Biking/Hiking: There are almost 5 miles of trails in the Coyote Ridge area. There is a self-guided Nature Trail and an Orienteering Trail available.
Birding: There are birds here with a lot of migratory birds during their flight season.
Boating: Most types of boats are permitted including motorboats, kayaks, canoes, sailboats. Water/body contact sports like scuba diving, water skiing, and swimming are prohibited. Visit the 11 Mile Marina for boat rentals and guides.
Camping: There are 9 campgrounds boasting 325 sites with both non-electric sites and electrical hookups offered in Rocky Ridge campsite. There are a nice variety of sites to choose from including 25 backcountry campground sites that are hike or boat in only. You can pay 11 Mile Marina to shuttle your gear via boat to the backcountry campsites.
There are no group camping facilities and reservations can be made online in advance. Reservations
Read about the camping near Lake George and Eleven Mile Reservoir.
Equipment Rental: Boat rentals include canoes, kayaks, a 20 pontoon, and a 16 Lund aluminum V-hull.
Fishing: The lake has goldfish trout waters as well as northern pike. The lake is also stocked with kokanee salmon and carp can be found in shallow areas. Ice fishing is prime in the winner.
Hunting: Big and small game hunting, as well as waterfowl hunting, is allowed during appropriate seasons.
Ice Fishing: Season is usually underway by November, depending on ice conditions.
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Campers Face Up To 6 Months In Jail For Unattended Fire Near Eleven Mile State Park
PARK COUNTY, Colo. – People camping near Eleven Mile State Park were cited for leaving a campfire unattended last weekend, after it spread to the grass nearby. Colorado Parks and Wildlife shared a picture of the fire and the empty beer cans left around it.
“Luckily there was snow on the ground to keep the fire from spreading further,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials stated. “Just because it is still winter does not mean you don’t need to be diligent and extra cautious!”
CPW said the occupants of the camp were cited for failing to extinguish a campfire. They will have to go to court and the judge can issue a fine of up to $750 and/or six months in jail.
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Campgrounds Near Eleven Mile Reservoir
Eleven Mile Reservoir is one of Colorados favorite state parks for boating and fishing. Located just ten miles southwest of Lake George, this massive body of water is nestled within the scenic Eleven Mile Canyon. There are a variety of campgrounds to choose from near the lake, with 9 belonging to the state park. If youre looking for lakeside camping closest to Colorado Springs, this is probably your best bet. Dispersed camping is not allowed in the Eleven Mile Canyon, nor are there any campgrounds at neighbor state park and reservoir, Spinney Mountain.
Includes Campgrounds: Rocky Ridge, North Shore, Stoll Mountain, Cross Creek, Lazy Boy, Rocking Chair, Howbert Point, and Witchers Cove campgrounds, Backcountry campsites
- Closest Town: Lake George
- Specs: 9 campgrounds totaling 325 campsites, from basic walk-in tent sites to electric and lakeshore, open year round, 14 campsites are backcountry, requiring you to hike-in or boat in supplies to site
- Amenities: Bathrooms, boat ramps, picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, dump station, potable water, camper services building with coin-operated showers and laundry, plus flush toilets
- Reservations: Yes, at cpwshop.com
- Address: 4229 Co Rd 92, Lake George, CO 80827
- Getting There: From Lake George take US-24 W for 0.8 miles. Take a left onto County Road 90 and follow that south for 4.1 miles. Then make a left onto County Road 92 and follow it for 5.9 miles into the state park.
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Free Badger Flats Primitive Campsites
Badger Flats offers some fantastic dispersed camping in the ponderosa pine forest starting only about ten minutes from town. This is primitive BLM land, so you must pack-in, pack-out everything and there are no amenities: no water, no trash, no hookups. The drive in is fairly rough but doable for 2WD cars and larger trailers.
- Closest Town: Lake George
- Address: Forest Rd 224, Lake George, CO 80827
- Getting There: Take US-24 west from town for 6.5 miles and make a right onto County Road 31. Follow for 1.6 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 224 and look for prexisting spots.
Eleven Mile State Park Campground Information
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Eleven Mile State Park is a great place to go for the day or for a few nights. It is open year round. Peak season is considered mid-May to the end of September. You can expect to have all facilities open and available during this time. If you plan a camping trip outside of the peak season, you may find that some of the parks features, such as showers and laundry, are unavailable.
Being a state park, a Colorado State Park pass is required everyday along with a standard campsite fee. The campsite fees range widely but they start at $10 a night. The fees here can go all the way up to $200 a night if you are renting some of the few cabins they have available. However, the standard camping fees will cost you from $10 to $24 a night.
During peak season it is highly recommended that you reserve your campsite ahead of time. The campgrounds here are often full throughout the summer and it may be difficult to find a place to camp if you just show up here. You can make reservations three days ahead of time to as much as six months ahead. It is best to reserve sites as soon as you have your camping trip scheduled to be sure to get the site you want. Should you find yourself in the area you may be able to find a site or two that is not reserved but these will most likely be the primitive sites in the park. If you do not have reservations but still want to schedule a trip, you may want to try the weekdays to avoid the reservations that other campers have already made.
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Final Thoughts On Eleven Mile State Park Camping
The open campgrounds along with the often windy conditions can be rough for some to handle. However, your primary reason to be here will determine how good Eleven Mile State Park can be for your camping vacation. As a place to strictly camp, there are many better choices. However, if you want to fish, hunt, boat, or sail, this could be a great destination for you. Here at Camp Out Colorado, we try to consider the various goals campers may have, but ultimately, we look at the base camping experience.
The location is quite convenient, only an hour outside of Colorado Springs. If you live there or are visiting the area, its not so far away from civilization that forgetting something is a problem.
Eleven Mile State Park is also a great place to use as a home base when exploring the region. There are many things to do around Colorado Springs and camping out at Eleven Mile State Park could be fun and a lot less expensive than a hotel.
Eleven Mile State Park could be a great place to start to learn to camp should you be interested in getting to know the great out of doors. You can get a taste for camping, and then easily leave if the weather gets bad. And you can give your camping gear a try before heading out deeper into the back country of Colorado.
If you have been camping at Eleven Mile State Park Campground please post your likes, dislikes, and suggestions. Your fellow campers would love to hear from you!
Eleven Mile State Park Rocky Ridge Overview
Eleven Mile State Park Rocky Ridge campground has 144 campsites and is nestled among trees and rocky outcrops overlooking Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir. Loops A, B & D offer electrical hookups. Loops C & E have trees. Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Each campsite also has a table, fire ring and grate.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and laundry facilities . Theres also an amphitheater, camp store and dump station.
North Shore campground is nearby, as is the 11 Mile Marina. The marina has a store, boat ramp, boat rentals, and fishing equipment rentals.
Eleven Mile State Park Rocky Ridge Area Recreation
The Park and area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreation. Visitors can enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, hiking, mountain biking, windsurfing, hunting, picnicking and great fishing. Wildlife viewing is also very nice in the area. Winter activities include fish fishing, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.
- Restrooms
- RV Hookups
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Lake George Cabins And Rv Park
This historic resort has been around since the 1940s, located at the corner of Highway 24 and County Road 90, only a couple minutes from town. Both RV sites and tent sites are available with the 7th night free. There are ten heated cabins for rent too, two of which are open year round. They come with private baths and kitchenettes.
- Closest Town: Lake George
- Specs: 14 RV sites with full hookups with electric, water, sewer, 3 have 50 AMP, 11 have 30 AMP Tent sites Open May 1-October 31
- Amenities: Toilets, showers, 10 cabins
- Reservations: Yes, at v2.reservationkey.com/5752/10380
- Address: 8966 Co Rd 90, Lake George, CO 80827
- Getting There: From Lake George take US-24 W for nearly a mile to CR 90. Turn left and youll come to the resort.
Eleven Mile State Park Activities
Eleven Mile Reservoir is often touted as a great place to go fishing. This is a well-deserved reputation since the lake teems with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, kokanee and pike that can be caught from both shore and from a boat. Youll need to follow the posted catch limit regulations. Should your luck not pan out, you can also try the nearby Spinney Mountain State Park. It is day use only but it is also known for great fishing.
You can hunt in Eleven Mile State Park during regular hunting seasons with a valid hunting permit. If you are heading to Eleven Mile State Park for a hunting trip, make sure that you hunt in designated hunting areas only.
This is a great place to bring your boat as well but be aware of boating with smaller or lighter craft. When the wind picks up, the lake can be treacherous for smaller watercraft. Stick close to the docks or have a plan of action should the wind pick up and force you off the lake. Its best to take larger boats out on Eleven Mile Reservoir. It is a large lake and can get pretty rough for small boats.
It is also a popular sailing location due to the wind here. Sailboats and sailboards are a common site on the lake. Keep an eye out for them if you are boating.
ATVs and off road vehicles are not permitted in the park due to the delicate nature of the area. However, its a great place to hike, horseback ride and bike.
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Camping Eleven Mile State Park In Colorado
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Camping at Eleven Mile State Park
Eleven Mile State Park has nine campgrounds to offer visitors. The Rocky Ridge Campground is within the trees and a bit secluded. The Stoll Mountain, Lazy Boy, Rocking Chair, and Cross Creek campgrounds are less crowded. All of them offer lakeshore sites. The Backcountry sites are more wooded and away from the lakeside.
Amenities at Eleven Mile State Park
Amenities include the camper service building with flush toilets and flush showers, a playground for children, a Marina to rent boats and go out on the water, coin operated showers during the summer, and a dump station. Some of the activities offered are biking and hiking on the many trials, birding in the area and viewing three rare bird species, boating at the marina, swimming, and fishing, hunting small and big game in season, picnics, and rock climbing. During the winter, you can go cross-country skiing, ice-skating, ice skiing, and ride snowmobiles in designated areas.
Eleven Mile: Camping Regulations
- A maximum of six people, two motorized vehicles and one camping unit allowed per site.
- All types of camping are restricted to a total of no more than 14 days. Following the 14-day period, person may not relocate within the area for seven days.
- Visitors are required to display a vehicle pass and camping permit. All vehicles must be kept strictly on campsite parking pads.
- To preserve natural vegetation, do not tie or attach anything to plants or trees.
- It is illegal to dump waste or sewage, including dishwater.
- Toilets, showers and laundry facilities at the camper services building are closed from Oct. 1 to May 1.
- Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
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Campgrounds Near Lake George
The town of Lake George sits just 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs via Highway 24, though youll feel like a world away. The small community boasts just enough restaurants and shops to get you by on a weekend camping excursion. The even tinier community of Florissant lies 5 minutes drive east. If you need more amenities the larger town of Woodland Park is only 20 minutes to the east. There are several great camping options close by town, which inhabit some breathtaking scenery. The South Platte River flows close to town, providing additional recreation and sightseeing.