Trinidad Lake
RV Guide
Introduction
Sitting within the foothills of the Rocky Mountains Sangre De Cristo Range is Trinidad Lake, a premier RV holiday destination that offers lots of exciting opportunities to have fun and enjoy memorable camping experiences. This Army Corps of Engineers park, managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, is bordered by the historic Santa Fe Trail and offers various camping options such as tent camping, group camps, RV sites, as well as winter camping.
There are lots of things you can do and enjoy at Trinidad Lake. Whether it’s fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and walleye, or hiking on any of eight fascinating trails that add up to ten miles, you’re guaranteed a remarkable holiday experience. The flora and fauna in the park offer great sights too, and make you appreciate the beauty and wonder of nature. You could also visit the archery range in the park to test your aim. Other ways to stay active in this COE park include picnicking, boating, water skiing, and jet skiing.
Two RV campgrounds are available within the park, consisting of campsites equipped with full RV hookups. Some other sites only have electric hookups, while a few have no hookups.
Trinidad Lake is a great place to escape the crowds and set base for exploring outdoor areas and nearby attractions
RV Rentals in Trinidad Lake
Transportation
Driving
Located just a few miles southwest of Trinidad, Trinidad Lake is accessible via Highway 12 and Interstate 25, as well as a series of County Roads. As a result, it is easy to drive up to the park in RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. Vacationers can drive to this park in their cars and get RVs and trailers for use during their camping trip.
Parking
Parking areas are provided for RVs, trailers, and cars at Trinidad Lake for vacationers and visitors. Both campgrounds within the park also have parking spaces for rigs. Moreover, overnight parking is available.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to Trinidad Lake.
Campgrounds and parking in Trinidad Lake
Campsites in Trinidad Lake
Reservations camping
South Shore Campground
South Shore Campground in Trinidad Lake features 10 pet-friendly campsites that are available for RVs and tents. None of the campsites is equipped with RV hookup options, but vault toilets and a water tap are available nearby. Within each campsite, you’ll find fire pits and shade shelters. RV length limit at the campground is 100 feet.
Locate just within walking distance of the lake, campers at this campground can easily access the lake to enjoy water-based recreational activities. Besides, the campground offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
All the campsites in this Army COE park campground are available by reservations only and open between May and October.
Carpios Ridge Campground
Carpios Ridge Campground is a pet-friendly campground that consists of 63 campsites that can accommodate tents, RVs, and trailers. Full hookup options (electric, water, and sewer hookups) are available at seven campsites only, while all the campsites have electric hookups. RV length limit at this campground is 110 feet.
Facilities and amenities at Carpios Ridge Campground include centrally-located hydrants, coin-operated showers, restroom facilities, laundry and flush toilets. Just around the campground entrance is a dump station. Campsites are equipped with shade shelters and fire pits.
All the campsites are available only by reservation, and year-round camping is offered at some of the campsites.
Seasonal activities in Trinidad Lake
Off-Season
Boating
Exciting boating opportunities are open to RV campers and visitors who want to explore Trinidad Lake and enjoy the beautiful views that the park offers from its waters. Any of the dedicated boat ramp and seasonal boat docks provided at this Army COE park is ideal to kickstart such adventure. Kindly take time to review the few simple, precautionary steps by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife that you are encouraged to take as soon as you get to the lake before you start boating.
Waterskiing and jet skiing opportunities are also available.
Archery
One of the most popular activities at Trinidad Lake is archery, a recreational pursuit that this COE park is well-known for. The park features an archery range that is open to RV campers who love to put their aim to the test. The archery range is open year-round and offers a number of amenities such as restroom facilities, picnic tables, shooters’ shelter, self-service station etc. Crossbows, broadheads, and firearms are not permitted in the range, and pets are not allowed.
Picnicking
A great way to enjoy your vacation at Trinidad Lake is to relax at any of the picnic sites in the park and enjoy meals with family and/or friends. The picnic tables in the lakeside areas are located just next to the boat ramps, meaning you can explore the lake before or after your meal, or just take in the scenic waterfront view as you eat. You’ll also find covered sheltered with grills, flush restrooms, and potable water at the picnic sites. The group picnic sites are available for reunions, weddings, company picnics and related events.
In-Season
Flora and Fauna
Trinidad Lake features a pinion-juniper forest that is home to a wide variety of wildlife and bird species. In addition to seeing roadrunners and pinion jays, you’ll also catch sight of elk, deer, as well as other smaller wildlife in the forest.
The flora in the park are mainly grass prairies that sit within the upland areas in the park, and the pinion juniper woodland which occupies the rocky outcrops and slopes in the park. Moreover, riparian, wetland, and aquatic plant communities occupy the reservoir regions within the park.
Hiking
Trinidad Lake offers amazing opportunities to enjoy rewarding hiking pursuits along all the eight trails in the park. As you hike the ten miles of trails available in the park, you will learn about the park, exercise your body, and engage in nature study and observation. Get ready to enjoy sights ranging from grasslands, to open vistas, ponds, cliffs, and forests. What’s more? You can bring your pets as you stroll on the trails. Moreover, hiking enthusiasts who love cold weather can enjoy winter hiking in the park.
Fishing
RV campers that enjoy angling love to visit Trinidad Lake because of the exciting fishing opportunities that are open to them. The lake in this park is particularly well-known as a rainbow trout fishing destination, owing to the fact that is stocked annually with rainbow trout. Besides, there are other fish species in the lake that are commonly caught by campers. Examples include crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and walleye. All the points along the lake shore are open to fishing, except the boat docks and ramps. Ice fishing is also permitted in this COE park in winter. Kindly note that you’ll require a Colorado fishing license to fish at Trinidad Lake.
