Ridgway Reservoir

Ridgway Reservoir sits at the heart of Ridgway State Park in Ouray County, where the San Juan Mountains frame every view with rugged peaks and wide-open Colorado sky. Whether you pull in for an afternoon swim or settle into a campsite for the week, this 1,000-acre reservoir delivers the kind of Western Slope recreation that keeps families and adventurers coming back summer after summer.

Fishing draws steady crowds to Ridgway Reservoir from ice-out through fall. Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, and splake patrol the deeper channels, while the recent introduction of walleye has added a new target species that anglers are eager to chase. Two stocked ponds near the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground give younger or less experienced anglers a reliable spot to hook into fish without needing a boat. The Uncompahgre River tailwater below the dam rounds out the angling options with artificial-flies-and-lures-only regulations that reward patient fly fishers.

Water sports shine here from late spring through early fall. The swim beach ranks among the best on any Colorado reservoir, with a gradual sandy entry and designated swimming area patrolled by park rangers. Paddleboarders and kayakers share the calm morning water before afternoon winds pick up, and boaters with motors enjoy full access to the reservoir under standard state regulations. The Blue Heron Marina stocks bait, tackle, snacks, and cold drinks, and rents life jackets and fishing gear at no charge.

Nearly 300 campsites spread across three campgrounds give Ridgway Reservoir one of the largest camping footprints in the Colorado state park system. Elk Ridge and Dakota Terraces sit higher above the water with panoramic views, while Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground puts you steps from the shoreline. Sites range from walk-in tent pads to full-hookup RV pulls, and three year-round yurts offer a roof over your head when you want comfort without a trailer. Mountain biking and hiking trails weave through pinon-juniper woodlands and sage meadows surrounding the reservoir, connecting campgrounds to overlooks and shoreline access points.

Ridgway State Park requires a Colorado Parks and Wildlife daily or annual vehicle pass for entry. The park sits just minutes from the town of Ridgway and about 30 minutes from Ouray, making it a convenient base camp for exploring the Million Dollar Highway corridor, Ouray hot springs, and the San Juan Skyway scenic byway.