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Colorado State Parks

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Pikes Peak Region
Eleven Mile State Park
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Eleven Mile State Park © Jay Miller from Colorado Springs, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eleven Mile State Park
Eleven Mile State Park © Jack Bilariusz / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
View of the Eleven Mile Reservoir looking north north-west towards FairPlay
Eleven Mile State Park © Jack Bilariusz / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Picture of Eleven Mile Reservoir from the south-east hike-in camp sites
Eleven Mile State Park © Jay Miller from Fly to Eleven Mile Canyon just outside Colorado Springs / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eleven Mile Canyon
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ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK
ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK
4229 County Road 92
Lake George, Colorado   80827
(lat:38.9336 lon:-105.5233) map location

Phone: 719-748-3401
Anglers and writers consistently tout Eleven Miles large reservoir for its outstanding fishing. When not reeling in a trophy rainbow, brown, cutthroat, kokanee or pike, there are nearly five miles of scenic hiking and biking trails that await exploration.

Canoe the day away around the shores of the backcountry. Fish from the shoreline or troll from a boat while enjoying scenic vistas. Camp comfortably in designated campsites located around the shoreline, nestled among trees in the backcountry.

Ideal wind conditions make Eleven Mile a popular, but not overly crowded destination for sailing, windsurfing and winter ice boating on this wide-open reservoir. Motor boaters and kayakers also find plenty of room to play during the summer months.

Many species of birds reside in or migrate through the park, making for wonderful bird watching prospects.

Waterfowl hunting chances for a wide variety of ducks are excellent and are available each fall
History of the Area
The dam was built upon a series of stair steps cut into the surrounding rock wall and rising 147 feet high above the bedrock. Because of this, the canyon walls hold the weight of the water, not the dam itself. When completed, the Eleven Mile Dam created the largest, artificial body of water in Colorado at that time. An extension to the spillway was added in 1957 which brought Eleven Miles bulk capacity to 97,779 acre feet of water. Meanwhile, the highway, running through the middle of the canyon and the proposed reservoir, was re-routed once more and moved back to its present location over Wilkerson Pass.

The Denver Water Department owns the dam, the water and most of the land that surrounds the reservoir. Eleven Mile is one of seven reservoirs that provide drinking water for Denver and because of the obvious need to protect against pollution, strict regulations prohibiting certain recreational activities are in effect.

The Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation assumed management of the area in 1960 under a lease agreement with the Denver Water Board.

Today the waters of Eleven Mile Reservoir cover the ranches and towns that once prospered long ago. The water line cut some ranches in two, while others were totally submerged. Surrounding mountains and campgrounds in Eleven Mile State Park have been named after a few of the ranchers whose lands now lies underwater. Howbert cemetery is believed to be on dry land, but has not been located.
Passes
All Colorado State Parks have entrance fees. All vehicles are required to have an entrance pass and some parks have walk-in fees. Visit the Colorado Park Entrance Pass web page.
Camping
Eleven Mile State Park has 325 campsites in nine separate campgrounds scattered around the lake. From basic and walk in sites to electric or lakeshore sites, there is something for every camping style.

Rocky Ridge campground offers the only electrical sites in the park nestled among rocky outcrops, along with non-electric sites with trees.

The North Shore campgrounds offer open lakeshore sites and convenient access to boat ramps.

The Stoll Mountain, Cross Creek, Lazy Boy, Rocking Chair, Hebert Point, and Witcher's Cove campgrounds are less crowded, but they also tend to be more exposed to weather conditions.

The 14 backcountry sites are secluded sites located on a wooded peninsula that are perfect for those who are seeking fewer neighbors and who are willing to hike in with their supplies in to their sites.


Location
Eleven Mile State Park is

Picnicking
Eleven Mile State Park offers 15 picnic sites. Some are located close to shoreline fishing access areas, while others are found near the playground. A universal access picnic site is also located adjacent to the playground.
Hunting
Big game, small game and water fowl hunting are all available during appropriate hunting seasons. Hunting licenses are available at the park office.
Trails
- Coyote Ridge Trail: A 1.3-mile loop trail, easy to moderate difficulty level with views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains.

- Black Bear Trail: This is a moderately difficult 2.9-mile out-and-back trail that offers scenic views and wildlife sightings.

- Aspen Nature Loop: An easy half mile walk through aspen groves, perfect for bird watching or just enjoying nature's beauty in fall season.

- Pine Ridge Nature Trail: At approximately one mile long, this self-guided interpretive trail provides information about local flora and fauna along its route

-Springer Gulch Campground Trails : These trails are located near Springer Gulch campground offering short hikes around the campsite area; length varies depending on chosen path

-Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area Hiking Trails : Multiple hiking options available within recreation area ranging from less than a mile up to three miles each way; varying levels of difficulty based on terrain

-Ponderosa Loop at Backcountry Camping Zone One - South Shoreline : Approximately two miles round trip hike featuring lake view points throughout

-Rocky ridge loop at backcountry camping zone four - North shore line ; Four plus miles challenging trek providing panoramic vistas across park's northern boundary

-Grouse Mountain Overlook via Puma Point Pathway - Short but steep climb leading hikers towards an overlook point atop Grouse mountain , roughly half-a-mile distance covered both ways

-Bison Peak Track - Longest single track inside Eleven Mile State Park covering over six-miles stretch showcasing diverse landscapes including meadows , forests & rocky terrains

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Directions
Directions from Denver, Colorado:

- Start on I-25 S.
- Take exit 141 for US Highway 24 W toward Manitou Springs.
- Continue onto US Hwy 24 W.
- Turn left onto CO Rd.1/Elbert Road in Lake George.

From Pueblo, Colorado:

- Begin by heading northbound on I-25 N
- Exit at number 135 to merge with the South Academy Boulevard towards Fort Carson
- Follow signs and turn right into Drennan road which will later become Curtis Road after a few miles of driving

From Boulder, Colorado:

- Commence your journey southwards via U.S Route (US)36 E
- Merge unto Interstate(I)-70E/U.S highway(USHWY)6E then take exit260to join C470S
- Use exit 10A so as to enter HW285South/Fairplay

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Colorado State Parks

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