• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Caves
      • Colorado Brands
      • Escape Rooms
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Lakes
      • Landmarks
      • Mine Tours
      • Mountains
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Performing Arts
      • Public Parks
      • Rivers
      • Scenic Drives
      • Sightseeing Tours
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Winery Tours
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Jeep Rentals
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowbiking
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Boutique Hotels
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos w/ Lodging
    • Hot Spring w/ Lodging
    • Wineries w/ Lodging
    • Best Hotels
    • Dude Ranches
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
Crawford State Park
Crawford Reservoir.

Crawford State Park – Crawford

17
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

Secluded near the Black Canyon of the Gunnison on Colorado’s western slope, Crawford is a beautiful state park to escape to. Fishing, boating, and hiking are among some of the activities found in this inspiring location.

Crawford State Park is hidden away in the middle of Colorado’s Rockies, probably some five hours from Denver. There are several sections of the park along Highway 92, each with water access. The lake is large and enjoyed by motorboats, jet skis, water skiers, sailboats.

Crawford State Park, CO
Crawford State Park, CO. Photo by: vicki watkins

There are two main campgrounds located lakeside, available for a nightly fee. The entrance to the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is an enjoyable 10-mile drive from the park. The North Rim has a 13 site campground tucked away in a heavy pine forest near the canyon’s edge. It’s first-come, first-serve, open spring to fall.

The town of Crawford has a tiny downtown strip with few places to eat and stay. Hotchkiss is also close by and offers more dining, shopping, and lodging. The biggest town in the area is Delta, 33 miles to the east.

Activities

Crawford State Park Fishing Boat
Fishing boat on Crawford Reservoir.

Biking and Hiking: There are 1.3 miles of disconnected trails, from the swim beach south to Iron Creek Campground along Highway 92. There is also 0.3 miles trail in the Iron Creek interior and hikers can explore the half-mile Indian Fire Nature Trail on the west side.

Birding: Hundreds of bird species are located in the park.

Boating: There is a capacity of 60 boats (20 water skiing, 40 slow trollers fishing) allowed on the lake. Sailboats take up more capacity. Jet skiing and water skiing are popular from mid-May through August.

Camping: There are two campgrounds at the park: Iron Creek (45 sites) and Clear Fork (21 sites). Some sites offer electrical hookups and winter camping is available. Reserve here.

Read about the camping near Paonia, Hotchkiss, and Crawford.

Cross-County Skiing: Allowed, conditions permitting.

Fishing: Crawford State Park is known for perch, crappie. channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and rainbow trout. Ice fishing is allowed anywhere on the lake when the ice is 6+ inches.

Hunting: Waterfowl hunting is allowed in the fall seasons. Hunters must be 100 yards from anyone fishing and 150 yards away from the campground. Big game hunting is allowed during the season under the above conditions.

Picnicking: There are several picnic areas throughout the park, each with a grill or fire ring. Groups of up to 100 people can be at Peninsula day-use area, which is located near the swim beach, outdoor shower, and comfort station. Register at the park office.

Sailboarding: Allowed, but not common. Late May and June get the most wind but the water is cold.

Sledding and Snowshoeing: The Peninsula is the only good area for sledding while the entire park is open for snowshoeing, conditions permitting.

Swimming: Only permitted in the Peninsula day-use area at the swim beach from late spring through the summer season.

Winter Recreation: Camping permitted in Clear Fork Campground. While there are vault toilets, there are no water or flush facilities. Recreation includes cross-country skiing, ice fishing, ice skating, and snowshoeing.

The North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison is only ten miles from the park. And both Paonia Reservoir and Sweitzer Lake are only about 45 minutes away from additional lake-centered state parks.

Crawford State Park Lake
Crawford Reservoir.
Crawford State Park Lake
A quiet corner of the lake.
Crawford State Park Picnic Area
Picnic area by road to Black Canyon of Gunnison.
Crawford State Park Visitor Center
Visitor Center.
Crawford State Park Picnic Area
Covered picnic table.
Crawford State Park Lake Boat Ramp
Boat ramp on Crawford Reservoir.
Crawford State Park Fishing Boat
Fishing boat on Crawford Reservoir.
Crawford State Park Clear Fork Campground
Clear Fork Campground has 21 sites.
Crawford State Park Iron Creek Campground
Iron Creek Campground has 45 sites.
Crawford State Park
A storm is on its way.
Crawford State Park
A dirt road around the park.
Crawford State Park
A nice picnic area by the lake.
Crawford State Park
A hazy sunset over the lake.
Crawford State Park
Crawford Reservoir.
Crawford State Park
Visitor Center open 8 am-4 pm “as staffing permits”.
Crawford State Park
These fishermen are going strong.
Crawford State Park
Looking out from Clear Fork Campground.
Crawford State Park
Clear Fork Campground.
Crawford State Park
Another site at Clear Fork.
Crawford State Park
Iron Creek Campground has 45 sites.
Crawford State Park
Another Iron Creek Site.
Crawford State Park
A boat ramp near Iron Creek Campground.
Crawford State Park
The next morning at Crawford; after spending night in nearby Black Canyon of the Gunnison (North Rim).
Crawford State Park
The park’s surrounded by big mountains.
Crawford State Park
A secluded part of the lake.

Details

Address: 40468 Highway 92, Crawford, CO

Phone: 970-921-5721

Season: Year-round

Pets: Yes, on leash

Fees: Entrance (per day)

Campground: Reservations

Map: (PDF)

  • Clear Fork
  • Iron Creek
  • Peninsula
  • Directions

Website: cpw.state.co.us/…

Latest in Crawford State Park

North Rim Campground Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Crawford CO

Camping near Paonia, Hotchkiss and Crawford

Nestled in Colorado wine country, Paonia is one of the hidden gems of the Western Slope.ย …

Camping near Paonia, Hotchkiss and CrawfordRead More

Chatfield State Park, Colorado

39 Top Colorado Campgrounds by Lakes

Coloradoโ€™s picturesque scenic landscape and proximity to an abundance of outdoor activities make camping here a…

39 Top Colorado Campgrounds by LakesRead More

Steamboat Lake State Park

The 34 Colorado State Parks with Campgrounds

Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) oversees 42 state parks, 34 of which you can camp out…

The 34 Colorado State Parks with CampgroundsRead More

View more Crawford State Park articles

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Things to do in May in Colorado
  • Top Beer Festivals in Colorado in 2023
  • Colorado’s Top Wine Festivals in 2023
  • 8 Great Springtime Colorado Festivals
  • Upcoming Spring Festivals in Colorado

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Spring Activities

  • Amusement Parks
  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ski Resorts
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides
  • Waterfalls

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise