Mancos State Park Is A Hidden Gem In Colorado Worthy Of A Day Hike And More
By Christy Articola|Published July 01, 2024
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
Looking to visit and hike in a lesser-known state park? You’ll love Mancos State Park in Mancos, Colorado. Colorado has 42 state parks and they’re all lovely, but some are heavily-visited and others are virtually ignored. Only about 35,000 people visit Mancos State Park annually, and that’s a real shame – but it’s great for people like you and me who love to avoid big crowds. Read on to learn about this fantastic state park in Colorado’s southwest corner, and to learn about a few fun day hikes you can take within its boundaries.
Mancos State Park is a lovely little state park in the southwestern corner of Colorado. It was once home to the Ancestral Puebloans; it's not far from Mesa Verde National Park.
Jackson Gulch Reservoir is part of the park. It's a 217-acre lake that's open to recreational water activities of most kinds including fishing, motor boating, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. However, swimming in the reservoir is not permitted.
There are lots of great views to be enjoyed throughout the park as well. There are 5.5 miles of trails in Mancos State Park, and it's a great place for a day hike!
If you're looking for an easy hike, you might like Deer Trail. This 2.9-mile loop hike goes all the way around the reservoir. Elevation gain is just 104 feet, and you should be able to complete the loop in about an hour.
Black Bear Trail is a hike that is rated moderate. It comes with 318 feet of elevation gain; it's also a loop trail that will take about an hour. It offers great views of the reservoir.
Chicken Creek Trail is a more challenging day hike that will take you quite a a bit longer than the two described above. It includes 1,909 feet of elevation gain and is 15.2 miles in length out and back. It's downhill most of the way back, though!
After your hike, you might consider staying overnight in the park. The two yurts at Mancos State Park are comfortable. You'll need to make a reservation well in advance to claim one.
You’re going to love exploring and hiking in Mancos State Park in Mancos, Colorado. This park is truly a hidden gem and it’s a park that you’ll want to return to time and time again. Have a great trip – and a great hike, too!
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