Next up in our series exploring Colorado’s state parks is Ridgway! Ridgway State Park is located along the Uncompahgre River in southwestern Colorado. This picturesque park is a destination for fishing and wildlife watching, as well as for taking in the scenery of the San Juan mountain range.
Ridgway offers fishing opportunities in the park’s cold water reservoir. The Dallas Creek Project establishing the Ridgway Reservoir was completed in 1987, and it has since been stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout, and Kokanee salmon. The reservoir is also home to illegally-introduced smallmouth bass, a species that is harmful to native fish. There are no catch limits to smallmouth bass in Ridgway, so any anglers who like a challenge are encouraged to catch as many as they like! The park even published their own recipe for smallmouth bass fish tacos. Fishing in both the reservoir and the river require valid fishing licenses.
Outside of the water, wildlife watching is a popular activity in Ridgway State Park. The park’s varied habitats support an array of wildlife, from collared lizards to mountain lions. Ridgway’s Wildlife Viewing Guide explains the wildlife that might be seen in different sections of the park. During any encounter with Colorado’s wildlife, remember to follow that state’s Wildlife Viewing Tips. The most important safety tips are to keep your distance, leave pets at home, and never feed wild animals.
Ridgway’s skies are also home to watchable wildlife. Birdwatchers in the park can spot a variety of avian species, especially during migration seasons. The Birds at Ridgway State Park checklist will help guide your birdwatching experience and help you keep track of the different species you spot. Just like watching other wildlife, it’s important to follow safety tips to enhance the birdwatching experience for both humans and birds. These include refraining from using recorded bird calls to attract birds to your area and avoiding any bird nests and dens.
Ridgway State Park’s miles of trails and observation points offer opportunities to observe birds and other wildlife in natural surroundings that change with the seasons, making every visit a unique adventure!
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