Kinney Lake

Kinney Lake sits on the eastern Colorado plains south of Hugo in Lincoln County, a 320-acre State Wildlife Area that offers a surprising amount of recreation for a lake most people drive right past on their way to the mountains. At roughly 5,000 feet of elevation, Kinney Lake is one of the better fishing and camping spots on the plains, and the wide-open prairie setting delivers the kind of quiet that mountain lakes with crowded trailheads cannot match.

Fishing at Kinney Lake covers both cold-water and warm-water species. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks rainbow trout in the spring, and the lake also holds brown trout, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Small nymphs, dry flies, and streamers work well for the trout, while bass anglers do best with soft plastics and crankbaits along the shoreline structure. The lake has docks for bank fishing, and a boat ramp provides access for small watercraft including kayaks and paddleboards.

Camping at Kinney Lake is permitted for visitors who hold a valid fishing or hunting license, with the specific window tied to big game and turkey seasons plus a three-day buffer on either side, or while actively fishing. The campsites are free and undeveloped, but the area is quiet enough that one reviewer described spending an overnight in a 30-foot travel trailer with only one other site occupied. Vault-style restrooms have been added and are kept in reasonable condition. The road does not loop all the way around the lake, so trailer access requires some planning when pulling in and out.

Bird watching is a legitimate draw at Kinney Lake, which is listed as an eBird hotspot on the Colorado Birding Trail. Prairie species, waterfowl, and raptors are all present depending on the season, and the grassland habitat surrounding the lake supports pronghorn and mule deer as well. Horseback riding is possible in the surrounding fields, though prairie dog colonies create uneven ground that requires a slow pace.

The area has seen ongoing improvements including new restroom facilities, but Kinney Lake remains a pack-in, pack-out destination with no potable water or trash services. Bugs can be intense during warm months, and litter left by other visitors is an ongoing frustration noted in multiple reviews. A valid Colorado hunting or fishing license or SWA pass is required for anyone 16 or older. For anglers and campers who want a plains fishing experience without the crowds of Front Range reservoirs, Kinney Lake is a solid and often overlooked choice.