Lathrop State Park – Walsenburg, CO | Horseshoe and Martin Lakes

Colorado’s first State park, Lathrop celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 9, 2012. Situated in Walsenburg on Colorado’s southern Front Range, the park offers 1,594 scenic acres to enjoy year round.

Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake are the highlights of the park. Together they provide opportunities for all types of water recreation, from power-boating to gold-medal fishing,

Activities at Martin and Horseshoe Lakes

Lathrop State Park Welcome Sign Walsenburg CO — Welcome to Lathrop State Park! Photo: Jeffrey Beall

Biking: The multi-use Cuerno Verde Trail is a 3 mile closed loop around Martin Lake. Bikes are also allowed on park roads.

Boating: 2 lakes for a variety of boating and water sports.

Martin Lake (180 acres) open to power boats, jet skis, water skis, sail boating, wind surfing. From November 1 to April 1, boating is limited to hand launched boats.
Horseshoe Lake (150 acres) is open to wakeless boating. It’s popular for wind surfing, kayaking and canoeing. It’s closed to boating November 1 through end of waterfowl hunting season.

Camping: Yes, 103 sites, 3 group camping areas, open year round. All sites have picnic tables and fire pits.

Pinon – 82 electric, coin showers
Yucca – 21 non-electric

Read about the Camping near Trinidad, Walsenburg and La Veta.

Fishing: Both lakes, Martin and Horseshoe, are open to fishing and stocked with bass, blue gill, channel catfish, crappie, rainbow trout, walleye and wipers. Tiger muskies are found in Horseshoe Lake and northern pike and saugeye in Martin Lake. A children’s fishing pond is located near the dam.

Geocaching: 13 geocache sites are hidden in the park. Coordinates are found at geocaching.com or visitor center.

Golfing: 9-hole Walsenburg Golf Course located in the park. The course also features a full restaurant and bar.

Hiking: In addition to the Cuerno Verde Trail, hikers will enjoy the 2 mile, Hogback Trail. It’s a nature trail with a self guided wildlife brochure.

Hunting: Small game and waterfowl hunting in posted areas around Horseshoe Lake. Only permitted during legal seasons after Labor Day until the Friday before Memorial Day, with shotguns or bows and arrows.

Picnicking: Scenic picnic sites are found around the lakes. Each has a table and fire grill. The Los Alamos Group Picnic Area can fit up to 50 people and is reservable year round.

Swimming: Martin Lake’s swim beach is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. The lake’s water temperature averages 75°F in the summer.

Visitor Center: Historical mural, interpretive displays, small gift shop, firewood, bagged ice, fishing permits, hunting permits.