lathrop state park

Camping, Fishing, Boating, Swimming and inexpensive... Great views of the Spanish Peaks... Good central location to go explore the various recreational areas.

had the lake to ourselves most of the day at any given time no ,ore than 5 boats on the lake quiet clean love the new dock and picnic area definitely will be there again

This is Colorado's State Park for the Walsenburg area. Like the others, it has the campgrounds with the showers and facilities for campers, two lakes for fishing, great views of the Spanish Peaks, lots of picnic areas, and even a golf course... yeah.. a golf course. It seems that Colorado's Dept. of Wildlife has several parks dedicated to areas so they can "cut their teeth" in preparation for the big boys of camping, like State Forest and Rocky Mountain NP. This is Walsenburg's version. I was here in August of 2014 and fished Martin Lake. Drove around it saw plenty of people swimming and boating.. but all the other anglers said they couldn't catch anything. Most were fishing for catfish. I went to the Tricera (sp?) area, but only one 6" fish I couldn't id. I released it. Lots of insects here (and throughout the park) so bring repellant. Saw no trout jumping, which one normally would see in a lake with so many insects. Great view of the Spanish Peaks to the south. Very close to Walsenburg also, but only thing there is a "Loaf and Jug" gas station... everything else is rolled up with the streets around 6:00pm. Two campsites.. one primitive for tents ($16) and Pinon with electricity ($20). Showers here also. It was very quiet and few campers when I was here.. which is to be expected as school has started back. due to the amazing amount of insects.. there are a larger variety of birds than normal.. if you're a bird watcher. I guess that's a bonus.

Beautiful, well maintained course with mountain views. Very reasonable fees for play and refreshments! You can play three rounds here for less than one in Pagosa Springs. It is a real gem!!

Lathrop was the first state Park in Colorado. The Park has two lakes with excellant fishing opportunities. A 9 hole golf course is adjacent to the park. Swimming, fishing, golf, boating, camping, and hiking are only a few activities available. Aawesome view of the Huajatolla Mountains will keep you mesmerized all day. If you are in the Walsenburg area this park is well worth a visit.

They have an amazing swimming beach at Lathrop. VERY clean and clear water! We took our little grandaughter and she loved it. No boats to disturb.

What a wonderful place to picnic, boat, swim, walk or jog, ride bikes, and camp! We live close and are there at least twice a week throughout the year. The view of the Spanish Peaks is priceless! Lake Martin and Horseshoe lake are extremely nice and clean. Canoeing on Horseshoe Lake is pleasant as there are no motorized vehicles (electric trolling motors allowed) so you have no large wakes tipping you over! Electric campsites are very nice and not crammed on top of another site and accommodations are very neat and clean. If you haven't found this peaceful corner of Colorado, and like a laid-back atmosphere, check it out. You won't be disappointed!

We just got back from a couple of days camping in the park. It was in the 80's for 3 days. The bathrooms and showers are very clean. The park in October does not have many visitors and you get a pick of sites. Walk around the lake and take the Hogback trail for views of the area. You can swim in the lake which has a sandy beach, but it was a little cold for us old folks this time of year. We usually go to Lathrop in the spring and fall when it is less crowed.

The non-electric campsites are only a few feet away from highway 160, busy with truck traffic and NOISEY.... Very unpleasant. There are few level sites. The vegetation is scrub, so lots of noise and no privacy. For $23 (park entry fee plus camp fee), it's definitely not worth it. An alternative would be to go south of highway 160 on state highway 12 into San Isabel National Forest. There are 2 organized places to camp and possible dispersed camping. Or, check Lathrop out for yourself in advance by asking to drive through before paying.

Very quite. Wonderful view of the lake. We only stayed one night along our trip, but we will stay here longer on our next trip. We were about 4 miles from town.

This park does not have a discount for Disabled Veterans with plates displayed...right across the street from a State Veterans Nursing Home. Park was clean. The Visitor's Center was closing and I asked about a drive through...the man at the window said it would still be $7.00. I can see how some people would enjoy it...especially if they were camping. I will not be going back.

Park was clean, people friendly & hiking was very nice. Two lakes with a nice area for picnics & swimming.

Lathrop State Park is a great place to camp, play, hike, bike, boat, fish and watch birds and other wildlife. The park is west of the town of Walsenburg. They have wonderful camping. If you want the pure camping experience they have an area for that. If you want to take a trailer or other RV, they have electrical hook-ups in another campground. There’s water posts where you can fill up your tank and they have a dump station. In loop C there are some stunning views of Spanish Peaks with the lake in the foreground. We camped in site C68 this trip. Other times we camped in D loop for a view of the hogback ridge and the Sangre de Christo mountains. If you have an annual pass, it's only 20 dollars per night. We recommend the hogback trail. It’s perhaps three miles around the loop and offers some great scenery. It’s not strenuous but there is an uphill grade. Take your camera as there are some nice views. And be sure to pick up the brochure for the trail at the visitor center. It’s free and gives you a little more information about what you’re seeing. It’s well written. There’s a path that goes around Martin lake. It’s a bit rough for bikes unless you have really good suspension. In the evening, take a leisurely drive around both lakes and stop at the coves to watch the osprey fish. You’re likely to see deer as well if you drive slowly and watch for them. Then park on the dam and watch the sunset. Check out the night skies while you’re here. You won’t believe how many stars you can see. When you want to go into town, we recommend the charming little town of La Veta. There’s a great bakery, but it’s only open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday so plan accordingly. And stop by the Forest Service visitor center if you plan to do some serious recreating in the area.

This place is a really nice place. Two lakes, one for recreation and the other more geared to fishing. We saw lots of beautiful trout jumping out of the water, but could not get a single bite. It was not very crowded and for the most part very clean and relaxing. It would be a good place to get your 'feet wet' with a boat or jet ski. I would love to go back and camp for a couple nights sometime.

Well maintained and nice roads, et al but there isn't much of a view and it's pretty expensive for just a place to park an RV. There are a lot better places in the region.