Eleven Mile State Park
Distance: Approximately 3 miles, but varies
Eleven Mile State Park is located in Park County, about ten miles south of the community of Lake George and is among Colorado's larger reservoirs. Laying at roughly 8,500 ft above sea level, Eleven Mile Reservoir is surrounded mostly by grasslands and the nearby rough-hewn Tarryall Mountains. Besides the beauty of the reservoir, the park offers awesome perspectives of Pikes Peak and the distant peaks of the Continental Divide. The immense lake was created when the Eleven Mile Canyon Dam was completed in 1932 a piece in Denver's plan in continuing to meet the water demands of its growing population.. The lake formed from the damning of the South Platte River swallowed up three towns including Howbert, as well as a history typical of the mineral-rich surrounding region of Cripple Creek and Divide. Many of the campgrounds located around Eleven Mile Reservoir are named for past ranches now resting beneath the lake. In 1960, Denver turned over the supervision of Eleven Mile Reservoir to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Parks and Wildlife then opened Eleven Mile State Park in 1970, though with a mandate to keep the water safe for those consuming it in Denver. While the principle draw of the state park are activities associated with the reservoir and camping; Eleven-Mile State Park does have five miles of hiking trails located on the more rugged and forested southeastern shore of the man-made lake. The park's trails begin from the Coyote Ridge Parking Lot and can be made into an approximate three mile loop hike incorporating portions of Ponderosa, Aspen, Midland and Black Bear Trails. Bicycling is also welcome on the trails. Headed left from the parking lot, away from the lake shore, the hike initially journeys through craggy, lightly-forested terrain. The route then cuts through a mountain meadow, turning onto the Midland Trail and passing through aspen groves before delving into denser pine forest. Midland Trail skirts the contour of the mountain's base and then crosses an open grassland passing near a secluded cove. Past the cove, the path climbs to an intersection marked by a wooden sign. The sign notates a side trail leading to many striking perspectives of Eleven Mile Lake. Further perspectives of the reservoir open up along Midland Trail before coming to an intersection with Black Bear Trail. The short Black Bear Trail winds around the park's back-country campsites before meeting back up with the Midland Trail near a vault toilet. From here the trail follows the lake shore pretty closely, quickly arriving back at the Coyote Ridge Parking Lot, concluding the hike. Given the short distance and easy navigation this hike is rated as easy. All trails at the Eleven Mile State Park are rated as easy. Despite the ease and short distance, hiking the trails and exploring the park are highly recommended, esp in regard to journeying to the viewpoint located off of Midland Trail. In addition to experiencing the very beautiful landscape, there is ample possibility for wildlife viewing. During the appropriate season, hunting is permitted within Eleven Mile State Park. Fishing is quite popular and when the lake freezes over ice-fishing is also very popular. While some campgrounds and park facilities like portions of the camper services building close during the slower months from September to May, the park definitely remains open for the winter. In addition to ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and ice-sailing are all popular activities once the lake has frozen over. Regardless of whether the locomotion is by paddle, sail, or motor, boating is a welcome activity on the reservoir; however activities like swimming, SCUBA diving, and water-skiing are not permitted. Windsurfing and paddle-boarding are alright, but only when wearing a full wet-suit. Boat rental is available at the Eleven Mile Marina. The park has nine campgrounds with 348 campsites. Twenty-five of these campsites are back-country campsites and must either be walked to or boated into. Further information on Eleven Mile State Park, including on camping fees, reservations, and regulations can be found on the parks official website linked below. Like most Colorado State Parks, Eleven Mile has a day-use fee currently set at $7.00 for those who have not purchased an annual park pass. Further Online Resources: Colorado State Parks: Eleven Mile State Park Eleven Mile State Park Fact Sheet PDF Eleven Mile State Park Brochure PDF Eleven Mile State Park: Trails 5280.com (The Denver Magazine): Colorado's Top Ten State Parks by Julie Dugdale, Lyndsey B. Koehler & Patrick Doyle |
Driving Directions:
Eleven Mile State Park is approximately 5o miles from Colorado Springs. From UCCS, turn right onto Austin Bluffs Pkwy and stay on Austin Bluffs Pkwy as it turn into Garden of the Gods Rd. From Garden of the Gods Rd, turn left onto I-25 headed south. Shortly after merging onto I-25, take Exit 145 for West Filmore St. Turn right onto West Filmore St and stay on it as it turns into Fontmore Rd and then West Fontanero St. From West Fontanero St, turn left onto 31st St and from 31st St, turn right onto US-24. Stay on US-24 for about 35.9 miles, passing through the towns of Woodland Park. and Divide, and continuing to Lake George. Just past Lake George, a sign marks the left turn onto County Road 90. Stay on County Road 90 for 4.1 miles and then turn left onto County Road 92, staying on the asphalt road. Stay on County Road 92 for about 5.6 miles and then turn left just after passing the general store headed toward the Coyote Ridge Parking Lot. The pay station and some parking spaces will be on the right, while the main parking area is located a little further up. A Vault Toilet is located at the Coyote Ridge Parking Area. Driving directions using Google Maps is linked here. |