Highline Lake State Park Colorado
A desert oasis offering year-round recreation with lakes, trails, and shaded campsites near Grand Junction.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Green campsites, pleasant temps
Highline Lake State Park Colorado
Best Time
Green campsites, pleasant temps
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A desert oasis offering year-round recreation with lakes, trails, and shaded campsites near Grand Junction.
"An oasis in the desert with lush grass, trails, and trees, perfect for recreation."
🦟 Mosquito Repellent is Key
Vicious mosquitoes are common, especially after watering. Bring strong repellent for a comfortable visit.
🚲 Bike the Reservoir Loop
Enjoy a scenic 3.5-mile walk or bike ride around the lake, perfect for a leisurely outing.
Quick Facts
Hours
Rating
4.5 · 999 reviews
Type
State Park
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Highline Lake Recreation
Main lake area
Enjoy water sports like wakesurfing and swimming in this desert oasis, perfect for a refreshing escape.
Shaded Campsites
Campgrounds
Spacious, tree-lined campsites offer welcome shade and a peaceful atmosphere for relaxation.
Mountain Bike Trails
Park perimeter and surrounding areas
Explore uncrowded, peaceful mountain bike trails suitable for eMTBs, offering a great riding experience.
Mesa Lake Views
Mesa Lake
A gorgeous spot for a leisurely walk and picnic, offering beautiful views and tranquility.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Heat and Bugs
Embrace the Outdoors
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🦟 Mosquito Repellent is Key
Vicious mosquitoes are common, especially after watering. Bring strong repellent for a comfortable visit.
🚲 Bike the Reservoir Loop
Enjoy a scenic 3.5-mile walk or bike ride around the lake, perfect for a leisurely outing.
🌳 Seek Out Shade
The park boasts large shade trees, making it a welcome retreat during hot Colorado days.
🏕️ Spacious Campsites
Sites are plentiful and spacious, accommodating larger RVs and trailers with ease.
Kayaking near Grand Junction/Palisade
Does anyone know the best spots to put into/get out of the Colorado River near The Grand Junction/Palisade area?
Tips
from all over the internet
🦟 Mosquito Repellent is Key
Vicious mosquitoes are common, especially after watering. Bring strong repellent for a comfortable visit.
🚲 Bike the Reservoir Loop
Enjoy a scenic 3.5-mile walk or bike ride around the lake, perfect for a leisurely outing.
🌳 Seek Out Shade
The park boasts large shade trees, making it a welcome retreat during hot Colorado days.
🏕️ Spacious Campsites
Sites are plentiful and spacious, accommodating larger RVs and trailers with ease.
🚴♀️ E-Bike Friendly Trails
Mountain bike trails are peaceful and uncrowded, with many suitable for e-mountain bikes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors appreciate the park's abundant shade trees, spacious campsites, and the refreshing lake for water activities. It's a peaceful retreat with good mountain biking trails. However, many warn of intense heat and a significant mosquito problem, especially after watering, which can detract from the experience.
"This state park is nice for its big shade trees and the water nearby. The sites have plenty of space and it was very quiet and not many people there. It was crazy hot, felt muggy then adding the insane amount of mosquitoes is why I gave it a low review. A few of the sites were flooded and however they are watering is making it a haven for the blood suckers.
We have a 42ft 5th wheel we stayed in site 15 and is so plenty big and then some for our trailer and truck."
Chancee Wilkinson
"Highline State Park it’s incredible in the springtime with beautiful green campsites and plenty of shade. The reservoir is wonderful to ride bikes around and highly recommended to come for the 18 hours of Fruita race."
Devrin Carlson-Smith
"The mosquitoes are vicious, due to their interesting watering cycle and methods they are breeding aggressive mosquitoes and I guess they're not treating the mosquitoes because it is worse than anywhere in all Grand Junction and the mesa. And super noisy. The other campers, One of the camp host was running their grinder at 7:00 a.m. if not sooner. No privacy."
Fungi Focus
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Highline Lake State Park is located west of Grand Junction, Colorado. Take I-70 West and exit onto CO-139 North (Mogote Road). Follow signs for the park. The drive is scenic and relatively short, making it an easy day trip or stopover.
Public transport options are very limited in this rural area. It is highly recommended to have your own vehicle for convenient access to Highline Lake State Park and surrounding attractions.
Roads leading to the park are generally well-maintained. However, during winter months, check local road conditions as snow and ice can impact travel, especially on CO-139.
The closest major airport is Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT), located about 30-40 minutes away. From there, you would need to rent a car to reach the park.
Yes, GPS navigation systems are reliable for reaching Highline Lake State Park. Ensure your device has updated maps for the most accurate directions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Colorado State Parks typically have a daily entrance fee per vehicle. It's advisable to check the official Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for the most current fee structure before your visit.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season and weekends, as campsites can fill up quickly. You can usually book through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife reservation system.
The park is generally open year-round from dawn to dusk for day use. Camping facilities operate 24/7. Always verify current hours on the official park website.
Yes, an annual Colorado State Parks Pass is available and can be a cost-effective option if you plan to visit multiple state parks throughout the year.
Information on discounts for seniors, military, or disabled visitors is usually available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website. It's best to inquire directly with the park office.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
Highline Lake State Park offers a variety of activities including hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, ice fishing in winter, boating, swimming, and wakesurfing. The park also features mountain bike trails.
Yes, Highline Lake is a popular spot for swimming, especially during the warmer months. The water provides a refreshing escape from the desert heat.
The park offers trails for hiking and walking, including a scenic loop around the lake, which is about 3.5 miles. The surrounding areas also provide more extensive trail networks.
Fishing is permitted in Highline Lake and Mesa Lake. Common catches include crappie, perch, and bass. Remember to check Colorado fishing regulations and obtain a valid fishing license.
Absolutely! The park offers spacious campsites that can easily accommodate large RVs and fifth wheels, with plenty of room for your truck.
🎫 🦟 Pests & Wildlife
Yes, mosquitoes can be a significant issue, particularly after watering cycles. Visitors strongly advise bringing effective insect repellent to ward them off.
The park is a habitat for various wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and potentially deer. Wildlife viewing is a popular activity for visitors.
Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Wearing long sleeves and pants, especially during dawn and dusk, can also help.
While most wildlife is harmless, it's always wise to maintain a safe distance and never feed wild animals. Be aware of your surroundings, especially when hiking or camping.
Mosquitoes are most prevalent during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall, especially when the park is actively watering its grounds.
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