Trinidad Lake State Park — Attraction in Trinidad

It was our 10 year wedding anniversary so we bought a little camper and decided to just drive and see where we ended up. We had been to Colorado when we were young but it had been 20+ years. We were not aware that the state parks are not state funded or how the State Parks there operated, it became COMPLETELY APPARENT WE WEREN'T IN TEXAS VERY QUICKLY! The first ranger we encountered was obnoxiously rude and it was completely uncalled for. We had pulled into town looking for the welcome center to get ideas of where to camp and local attractions but Google sent us straight to the State Park. While we were driving, it appeared that we had come to a self-pay day use area so we u-turned in the entrance and pulled over to regroup and stretch out legs for a second. We had been admiring the snow capped mountains in the distance, so once we figured out where we were going I pulled out my camera to snap a quick picture. We hadn't been out of the car for 5 minutes when this female park ranger blocked us off and started writing us a warning. We walked over and greeted her and asked if there was a problem. She immediately got loud and rude and in a demeaning tone basically yelled and scolded us saying "Colorado State Parks ARE NOT State funded and that this beautiful atmosphere that we are enjoying is NOT FREE!" Then she proceeded to go on about park employee wages and that we needed to GO PAY NOW OR WE HAD TO LEAVE NOW. We apologized and explained that we didn't know and that we were looking for the Visitors Station because we had planned on staying in the area. She then gave us quick directions, handed us a written warning and climbed back in her truck and drove away. No apology, no welcome to our park, no here let me show you where to go.... She was just plain obnoxious! Here we are just trying to stretch our legs, figure out where the heck we are and take a quick picture of mountains that weren't even in the park and we get a WRITTEN WARNING!?!? We made it to the park headquarters and PAID for our day use pass and $40 for a campsite but it had COMPLETELY RUINED our day! I understand that there are people that may abuse their "system" but WE WEREN'T THEM! We ran into her a few more times after and she tried to play nice, it seemed, but she never apologized. I will say that the showers are coin operated and only ran for 5 minutes for $4 but the building with the restrooms, showers and laundry facility was nice, clean and we'll kept. The sites were close together but well maintained as well. A small bundle of wood for the fire pit was $5 and the hosts were friendly and brought it to the sites we were told. There was water in the camping area but not at the individual sites and it was on a spicket that you couldn't connect a hose to so we couldn't add clean water to the tanks on the camper. There was electricity at the sites though. The woman that helped us with our campsite was very nice and managed to find us a site even though we didn't have a reservation. This will not be a State Park we return to after our experience, especially since there were so many other places to stay within an hour from here that were actually prettier parks and the employees were all...

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...

The Lake is beautiful...but the Deep State has to take all of our nature over and close everything off n NOT let us enjoy creation n the beautiful earth the was created by the Divine?? I don't understand how the state takes Over our own land like THEY own it ??? Most of the lake is closed off and you cannot look or travel around it they have certain camping spots that you have to pay for even if you don't do anything but Park... the fee is $18 to park your car overnight and $7 just to enter the park?? How is this right?? This is b* and this goes for all STATE parks all over the United States...!! No government or deep state bogus cabal laws should be on our land and held against us!!.. They have an RV park there which supplies electricity... Energy should be free!! BUT that's just another thing they THINK tgey own ! They have a bathroom and I was told a shower in that area for those campers when they have an RV how is that right?? Don't they have their own shower in their RV? Shouldn't the shower be down where the normal campers who either stay in their car or pop up a tent be? I will give them this for one star...They do keep the bathrooms clean. The lake is really low... you can't Camp around it you have to camp in their designated areas which is BS cuz they are quite away from the lake . So what's the point?? The other star I gave was for the guys who ride around in their trucks they are very nice and friendly... The STATE does not own what God gave each of us !! ...WAKE up Sheeple !! This nonsense does not stop...