Ridgway State Recreation Area

See other Spotlights

Outstanding scenery, ultra-modern facilities, a full-service marina and magnificent campgrounds beckon visitors to Ridgway State Park.

The Setting
Ridgway's great outdoors provides views of the towering Sneffels Range, the "Switzerland of America".  The park is especially beautiful in fall, with a full spectrum of seasonal colors. The Elk Ridge campground is located in a pinion-juniper forest with a panoramic view of the surrounding San Juan Mountains. Dakota Terraces campground is part of the 300-acre Dutch Charlie recreation area, and is within walking distance of the lake and swim beach.  The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Campground sits just below the reservoir dam.

Ridgway's sandy swim beach, beach house and full-service marina make it a top choice for water-sports enthusiasts. Boating, scuba diving, water-skiing, windsurfing and swimming are some of the offerings at the park. Picnicking and camping are great ways to spend your time. In addition, Ridgway is known as one of the nation's most accessible recreation areas for people with disabilities.

The 1,000 surface-acre reservoir offers a variety of activities, including boating, swimming, water-skiing, jet-skiing, sailing and sailboarding. Boaters are permitted to swim from their boat, subject to special regulations.

Use the park as a base camp to take in the autumn colors on day trips to the hot springs of Ouray, the shopping of Telluride or the quaint town of Montrose.

The Facility
Ridway State Park has three campgrounds with a total 280 campsites that accommodate trailers, campers and motor homes.  Each campsite includes a picnic table, grill ring and tent pad.

Dakota Terraces campground is part of the 300-acre Dutch Charlie recreation area, and is within walking distance of the lake and swim beach. The campground has RV electrical hookups and shared water. Pay showers and laundromats are nearby.

Elk Ridge campground is also part of the Dutch Charlie recreation area. Located in a pinion-juniper forest with a panoramic view of the surrounding San Juan Mountains, this campground is the most popular in the park. Elk Ridge RV campsites have electric hookups and shared water. Flush toilets and shower facilities are located near the campground.

Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground features campsites with full utility hookups, including water, sewer, and electric. Walk in tent sites in a secluded, forested area are also available.  Deluxe campsites featuring full individual utility hookups, including water, sewer and electricity are just below the reservoir dam.

For those wanting an alternative to RV and tent camping, three yurts are available in the park.  Yurts are round tents on a wooden frame with circular skylights and windows to provide illumination. Each yurt sleeps up to six people and includes one pair of twin-sized bunks, a double-sized futon and a queen-sized futon.

Picnicking is also a popular pastime at Ridgway, especially at the areas near the swim beach and playground. Explore the beauty of Ridgway and retire to a picturesque setting for picnicking. With 87 picnic sites, most of which have shelters and drinking water, visitors may enjoy a family outing in comfort.

Camping Tips

A camper services building in each campground provides hot showers, a laundromat, phone, vending machines and a playground.  A Visitor Center, including a bookstore, is located in the Dutch Charlie campground.  Two group picnic sites that can accommodate up to 200 people are also available for reservation in the park.

Ridgway State Park offers a full-service marina that provides rentals and is well stocked with supplies for all your boating, fishing and camping needs. Cold drinks, snacks, fuel, live bait, safety equipment and firewood are also available at the marina.

Directions

Pa Co Chu Puk Campground: 19 miles south of Montrose on Hwy 550, take first  park entrance, below the dam. Dutch Charlie Area: 22 miles south of Montrose, take second entrance into park, first right leads to Dakota Terraces Campground, first left leads to Elk Ridge Campground.  

Learn more about this park and book your reservation online See other Spotlights