You'll find Bonny Lake State Park just a few miles west of the Kansas state line. While Bonny Lake is usually known for the excellent fishing for walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and channel catfish, the present on-going drought has reduced the lake from its normal 1,900 surface acres to about 1,000 surface acres. At the same time, Colorado is still negotiating with Kansas to come into interstate water compact compliance... which means that come 2012, Bonny Lake State Park might become Bonny Lake State Wildlife Area. For 2011, there is still trailer-launched boating available until Labor Day.

Located in a heavily treed area of cottonwoods and large willows in the valley of the South Fork of the Republican River, Bonny Lake offers a nice respite from the sunny high plains grasslands. Wagon Wheel and part of Foster Grove campgrounds are open with a total of 103 campsites. All sites in Wagon Wheel Campground offer electrical hookups. Some facilities and campsites offer universal access. For weekends and holidays you might want to make reservations in advance. The OHV area in North Cove still offers several miles of trails to those so inclined...

A day-use pass will cost you $7, or you can buy an annual Colorado State Parks Pass for $70. Basic campsites are $16 per night while electric will run you an additional $4 per night.

Bonny Lake State Park Rules & Regs:

  1. Pets must be controlled and on leashes of 6 feet or less.
  2. Vehicles are allowed only on designated roads and parking lots. Observe posted speed limits.
  3. Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am.
  4. Fires allowed only in the grills and fire rings provided.
  5. No glass containers allowed on the ski beaches.
  6. State Law: Only 3.2% beer is allowed in public places.