Fishing enthusiasts and water recreation lovers will find Trinidad Lake State Park's South Shore Campground positioned along the lake's edge, accessible via a rough dirt road that can challenge vehicles during wet conditions. This smaller camping area features ten non-electric sites spread across gravel driveways and pull-through spots, with sites 101-104 and 107-109 offering standard back-in configurations while sites 105, 106, and 110 accommodate longer rigs as pull-throughs.
The campground sits in open terrain with scattered trees providing limited shade, though each site includes a covered picnic table, fire pit, and BBQ grill. Lee D. notes that "sites are decent in size" but warns there's "no physical separation between them," creating a close-quarters camping experience. Wind can be significant here, sometimes requiring campers to use their vehicles as windbreaks for cooking and dining.
Lake access draws many visitors, with a walking path leading to the dam area for fishing opportunities. The park restricts alcohol to 3.2% beer and maintains a no-swimming policy on the lake, though boating and kayaking remain popular activities. Vault toilets serve the campground area, described by reviewers as clean and well-maintained. Wildlife viewing opportunities include various bird species, with Ilene R. mentioning "lots of sunflowers" blooming in late summer.
Sites operate from May through mid-October, with rates starting at $28 plus Colorado's required daily park pass. For additional overnight options in the region, campers can explore camping near Trinidad or consider the larger Carpios Ridge Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park which offers full hookups and shower facilities. Reserve ahead during peak summer months when lakeside sites fill quickly.
Description
A beautiful setting in the mountains of southern Colorado, a mild year- round climate and 800 acres of water ideal for numerous water sports are the lures of Trinidad Lake State Park. Anglers catch small and largemouth bass, rainbow and brown trout, walleye & saugeye, black crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, bluegill, and wiper. The lake is popular for water skiing and windsurfing. Visitors may explore the mountain branch of the historic Santa Fe Trail in nearby Trinidad. There are great wildlife-viewing opportunities at this park; turkey, coyote, deer, and elk call the park home. Two campgrounds with 73 sites can accommodate recreational vehicles, trailers or tents. A total of 73 sites are available by reservation only. Campsites 1-23, 62 & 63 on Carpios Ridge along with electricity, water, dump station, and the camper services building are open for winter camping. Campsites 24-61 in Carpios Ridge are tentatively closed from mid October to mid March and the entire South Shore campground is closed from mid October to mid May. Mild fall weather and abundant winter sunshine make Trinidad Lake State Park a great off-season vacation destination. In addition to camping, some of the activities available between Labor Day and spring are hiking, ice fishing, winter wildlife watching, and hunting. Call Park for details. For current conditions and more information, please visit the Trinidad Lake website: http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/trinidadlake
By making a reservation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you are agreeing to read and abide by all rules stated in this purchase flow and on the confirmation letter.
The fire danger changes throughout the season, please call the park visitor center to inquire.
Trinidad Lake is a fluctuating reservoir and water levels vary. The main campground, Carpios Ridge, is situated on a ridge approximately 150-200 feet that overlooks the lake. There is no direct access to the lake. Shade may be provided naturally by trees and other vegetation at some of the sites. Charcoal or wood fires are allowed only in designated grills or fire pits at each site. **In addition to the camping fee, a vehicle entrance fee is required at all state parks!** Please call the park for specific details---719-846-6951.
Call the park for details or check the latest status reports by visiting us on the web at http://parks.state.co.us/parks/trinidadlake. You may contact us by email at trinidad.lake@state.co.us.
Please use www.cpwshop.com to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers.
Per CPW regulation, no individual may camp or park a motor vehicle, trailer or camper on a state park for more than fourteen (14) days in any twenty-eight (28) day period on a single park. For the purposes of this regulation, an individual is defined as any person who has occupied a site, whether or not they are formally listed on the reservation as the reserving party or primary occupant.
Any reservations made with one or more days outside of the 6-month reservation window will be frozen to changes for 14 days from the date the reservation was made.
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Colorado weather can be unpredictable: be prepared for a variety of weather conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, wind, rain, and snow (even in the summer). CPW does not grant exceptions to the refund policy for weather conditions.
Please use www.cpwshop.com to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers. **No-show policy:** If you are unable to occupy your site on the first day of your reservation, please call the park office in order to notify park staff. Otherwise, your reservation will be considered a "no-show" and your site may be resold. "No-show" reservations are ineligible for a refund for those nights or days passed and the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundSouth Shore Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park is located in Colorado
Directions
From either direction on I-25, take Exit 13-B to West Main Street. At the first four-way stop, turn left onto Nevada Ave. Go through the roundabout and continue west onto Highway 12 for 3.5 miles. The first sign you will see on Highway 12 directs you to the entrance to the boat ramp and then the South Shore. Stay on Highway 12 west until the next entrance (second entrance) which is where the visitor center and Carpios Ridge Campground is located.
Address
32610 Highway 12
Trinidad, CO 81082
Coordinates
37.13442278 N
104.55298782 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/20/26- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 3/20/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 3/20/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/20/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 9 usersLast on 3/20/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 3/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Pueblo, CO
- 1 hr 53 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 41 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 2 hrs 46 min from Denver, CO
