Lathrop State Park near Walsenburg has two very different lakes

A few miles west of Walsenburg, off Highway 160, sits Lathrop State Park. Colorado Parks and Wildlife describes it as the state’s first state park, and it is an easy stop for fishing, paddling, and a quiet afternoon on the water.

The thing worth knowing before you go is that the park has two lakes that are run differently. Martin Lake is the busier one, where power boating, water skiing, and sailing are allowed. Horseshoe Lake is the quiet one: boats are welcome there, but only at wakeless speeds. That calm-water rule makes Horseshoe a natural fit for canoes, kayaks, and anglers, while skiers and faster boats stick to Martin. If you are bringing a boat, that difference decides where you can do what.

The fishing reflects the two settings too. The lakes are stocked with a mix that has included rainbow trout, channel catfish, bass, walleye, and panfish, and the park is known locally for warmwater species you would not expect this close to the mountains. A Colorado fishing license is required for anglers of the right age, same as anywhere in the state.

Lake levels, open ramps, and the species list can change from season to season. Before you load the boat or the rods, check the current details for Lathrop State Park with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.