Ridgway State Park is just north of the Town of Ridgway, and about 15 miles north of Ouray, the "Switzerland of America." Ridgway State Park is centered around the Ridgway Reservoir, a 5-mile-long reservoir that allows fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, biking and swimming, in season. Winter sees lots of folks on snowshoes and cross-country skis. This is an absolutely gorgrous area at the edge of the San Juan Mountains with the Uncompahgre National Forest close by. Ridgway State Park offers several well developed picnic areas and campgrounds, with playgrounds and extensive hiking and biking trails. You'll find mule deer, elk, black bear, skunks, porcupines, foxes, coyotes and other small mammals in the brush with owls, hawks and other raptors in the sky.

The daily vehicle use fee is $7, or you can buy an annual Colorado State Parks pass for $70. RV sites with electric and shared water run $22 per night (May 1 to September 30, plus the entrance fee) while full hook-ups run $26 per night (May 1 to September 30, plus the entrance fee). Electric-only sites run $20 per night (May 1 to September 30, plus the entrance fee). Walk-in tent sites cost $18 per night (plus the entrance fee). (All camping fees reduce by $2 per night from October 1 to April 30.) There are also 3 yurts available for $70 per night (plus a one-time reservation fee of $10 plus the usual entrance fee). Group picnic areas run everything from $135 to $285 per day, depending on how many people are involved (to a max of 250 people per site). Rental of the Visitor Center Overlook costs $145 to $195 per day, depending on the number of guests (up to 100 people). The Visitor Center Conference Room costs $100 per day, although there are special rates for government organizations and non-profit entities. Call 970-626-5822 for details.