Trinidad Lake

Nick Nugent

The park has a variety of trails, suitable for a range of abilities, and some beautiful scenery. Dominated by the lake, I visited the park for one specific reason: to get up close to the thin band of rock that is evidence of the impact of a huge extraterrestrial object, 66 million years ago. Known as the K-Pg (aka K-T) boundary layer, Trinidad Lake State Park is one of a handful of places where this layer, rich in extraterrestrial iridium, can be seen up close and personal. A short drive on an unpaved road followed by a 20 minute stroll along a track, took me to the layer. A single interpretation board, and a bench, mark the spot. After a short scramble up the bank to touch the layer, and some photos, I sat on the bench and considered how different life on Earth would look if the asteroid had missed our planet, all those years ago. As I pondered, a lizard emerged from undergrowth, to bask alongside me on a nearby rock. Perhaps it also wondered...

Linne Clarke

We have stayed in this park three times in the last year: July 2024, August 2024, and September 2025. It is one of our favorite places to stay in our RV for a number of reasons. Big camping spaces, great fire pits, excellent weather, trails and bike paths, and lovely location. There are only a few spots with full hook ups, which we prefer, but we stayed one night on the South Shore with no hook ups and loved the remoteness of dry camping. We generally use our own shower when we camp, but we used the nearby showers which were clean with plenty of hot water. Be patient with the laundry as you can only use credit cards and the machines are finicky. We paid $41 a night plus parking passes for our RV and our tow vehicle. Seemed redundant to me and I couldn’t help wonder why we had to pay twice. Probably cheaper if you get a state park pass. If you come to Trinidad on a First Friday, make sure you go to the Art Walk. The Hilton has a good happy hour Monday - Friday. In the early summer, catch a Trinidad Triggers baseball game. If you are pickleball players, the city has just installed excellent courts at Los Ninos Park and people play most days at 8:00am.

Kenny H

Beautiful lake just outside of Trinidad. The camp grounds are broken into a cluster up on the north ridge or along the south shore. Unfortunately, the shore is a long distance, so not close enough to walk to. The north ridge has a few amazing trails and some camp sites with good views. The south side is more remote, but views are all fantastic. The north ridges has amenities, but south shore only has a few bathrooms, but no water or electricity. The lake itself is great because they limit sports, so it was pretty easy to kayak and SUP. It’s also 10 minutes to Walmart, so no worries about forgetting anything.

Israel Salgado

This location will take you to the office so you can pay 10$ for day use, camping is a little more but worth it or you can probably pay online...scenery is awesome there's also a little park for kids so definitely recommended for small to medium sized groups. You will have to drive like 5 minutes to the actual swimming area of the lake, I wouldn't recommend trying to get down to the lake from up top because it's steep and could get dangerous for the average folk. Good luck and Stay Safe!

HFL D (Honey)

If you're looking for a lakeside escape with a touch of wild charm, Trinidad Lake State Park definitely delivers. Just don’t forget your bug spray and sense of humor. The lake itself is gorgeous. Serene waters set against rolling hills and open skies serve up some of the most breathtaking sunsets we've seen in a long time. Think pastel clouds, golden reflections, and that perfect evening hush that makes you pause and just be. Bring a camera or at least the urge to stop and stare. Fishing? Oh, yes. The lake is loaded. Whether you're an expert angler or just tossing a line in for fun, chances are good you'll catch something… or at least get a great story trying. Now, let’s talk about the real stars of the park: the bugs. If you're a fan of grasshoppers, this is your Disneyland. They're everywhere! Hopping across trails, surprising you mid-step, and generally making sure you know you’re not alone. Add in a variety of other winged, crawling, and chirping critters, and you’ve got a very active little ecosystem keeping you company. It's all part of the charm. Unless you're squeamish. In which case: bug spray. Lots. The only thing we really wished for? A few more trees or shaded spots near the water. On hot days, the sun can feel relentless, and finding a cool place to rest takes some effort. A little extra greenery would go a long way for comfort and aesthetics. But the wide open views have their own appeal. Overall, Trinidad Lake State Park is a scenic, peaceful, and slightly buggy adventure worth having. Pack a hat, bring your sense of adventure, and enjoy the quirky beauty of southern Colorado.