Though Southwest Colorado saw the return of colder weather recently, Mancos State Park is ready for the summer season, Park Manager Scott Elder said.
“It’s coming quickly,” Elder said. “It’s always an exciting time of year.”
Areas for all-day use are now open at the park, including the campground, Elder said. The road on the west side of the park is also open, he said.
Programming at the park starts in earnest on Memorial Day weekend, with events each day. Nature walks, music performances and other events will be held through the summer, Elder said.
Jackson Lake has already received a full fish stock. It will be a relatively high water year for the lake, he said.
“We expect to have a full lake again,” Elder said. “Early season fishing will be excellent.”
As other area reservoirs have banned boating because of concerns about invasive mussels, Elder said he expects to have inspectors and allow trailered boating at Jackson Lake.
Boaters have been required to have their crafts pre-inspected. They have to drop off a seal and receipt of inspection at a drop box at Mancos State Park before launching their boats, Elder said.
This year, he expects to have inspectors checking for mussels at the boat ramp during daytime hours, he said. However, the park will still be following the pre-inspection process, he said.
“We have invested quite a bit to get good signage at the boat ramp and the pre-inspection protocol,” he said.
If they haven’t already had their boat inspected, boaters can call the park at (970) 882-2213 to find out if there is an inspector working the boat ramp.
Some fire mitigation in ponderosa pine forests will start the first week of May and last for several weeks. There may be some disturbance to park visitors as crews work to maintain the health of the forest, Elder said.
For more information about the park, visit cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mancos.
If you go
Mancos State Park is located at 42545 Road N, about 5 miles north of Mancos. The park is open 24 hours a day.
A daily pass is $7, and an annual pass is $70. Basic campsites are available for $18 per night. The park offers yurts that sleep six people and are available for reservation for $80 per night.
For more information, visit the park website at
cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Mancos
. Campsites can be reserved online or by calling 1-800-678-2267.
