The man James M. Robb Colorado River State Park is named for once compared the area with jewels.
“Jim Robb was a local civic-minded individual,” said Brad Taylor, park manager. “There are five parks that make up the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. As Jim used to say, ‘This is a string of pearls and each of the sections is a pearl on a string.’”
The metaphor stands to speak for the entire Grand Valley area, which hosts its own jewel box filled with state parks offering camping, caving, fishing, boating, windsurfing and water skiing, among other outdoor activities.
Area state parks were the place of choice for at least one high school’s senior ditch day this year as students swept into the Highline Lake State Park northwest of Fruita and Island Acres State Recreation Area (east end of James M. Robb Colorado River State Park) to camp. Both areas feature plenty of shade tree camp sites, boating opportunities and swimming, when water temperature permits.
The “pearls” that make up James M. Robb Colorado River State Park each offer something different. Here they are, listed from east to west:
1. Island Acres section
Located off Exit 47 on Interstate 70 in the scenic De Beque Canyon. Offers fishing, camping, picnicking and hiking along Colorado River. Open year-round. Learn about the Colorado River and the erosional forces that shaped the canyon and characteristics of the park.
2. Corn Lake section
Located at 32 Road and the Colorado River. Offers a launching site to Colorado River for boaters and rafters, fishing and picnic shelters. The lake is stocked with trout. A hard-packed trail nearly a mile long follows the edge of the lake, providing fishing access and is used by hikers and bicyclists. Open for day-use only. Corn Lake was the first section acquired in an effort to link parks and trails from Island Acres to the Loma boat launch. This section serves as headquarters for James M. Robb Colorado River State Park.
3. Colorado River Wildlife Area section
Located 1 mile west of Corn Lake on D Road. Offers hiking, wildlife observation and environmental education activities. Area was jointly purchased by Colorado State Parks and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Primary management emphasis is on protecting and enhancing wildlife and wetlands habitat.
4. Connected Lakes section
Located on Power Road off Colorado Highway 340. Offers fishing, picnicking, hiking, bird watching and more. This is a day-use park. Connected Lakes provides a network of trails that traverse a series of reclaimed gravel pits.
5. Fruita section
Located south of Fruita Exit 19 on Interstate 70 on Colorado Highway 340, adjacent to the Colorado River. Offers camping, fishing, swimming and boating, picnic sites, birding, a walkway along the Colorado River and a visitor center. Open all year. The land for this area was donated by the city of Fruita and the Colorado Riverfront Commission, which offers several free concerts at the park each summer.
For more information, look up James M. Robb Colorado River State Park at http://parks.state.co.us.
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E-mail Anna Maria Basquez at abasquez@gjds.com.
CHECK OUT THESE COLORADO STATE PARKS
— Crawford Reservoir State Recreation Area has plenty to offer anglers, boaters, hikers and water sports enthusiasts. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison is nearby.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Crawford/.
— Harvey Gap State Park is a favorite spot for anglers in the winter and summer. Anglers catch catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, crappie, rainbow trout and northern pike. Boats with motors 20 hp or less and canoes are welcome. Harvey Gap is a day-use area.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/HarveyGap/.
— Highline Lake State Park has a desert feel and two lakes. The park offers mountain biking, camping, hiking and fishing. Highline Lake is the lake for jet- and water-skiers while Mack Mesa Lake allows only wakeless boating. The Audubon Society designated the park an important bird area.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/HighlineLake/.
— Navajo State Park, officials say, is Colorado’s Answer to Lake Powell. Navajo Reservoir extends for 20 miles south into New Mexico. Daily and seasonal slip and mooring ball rentals and gasoline for boats are available at the park’s Two Rivers Marina. Navajo’s campgrounds have 138 sites.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Navajo/.
— Paonia Reservoir State Recreation Area has a narrow lake park with steep mountainsides, alpine scenery and peaceful environment. There is streamside camping, water-skiing, picnicking, wildlife watching and wildflower viewing.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Paonia/.
— Ridgeway State Park offers mountain scenery and campgrounds. It is 15 miles from Ouray. The park has a reservoir and beach, a picnic and playground areas, trails and diverse wildlife.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/Ridgway/.
— Rifle Falls State Park has 20 campsites along East Rifle Creek. Many of the campsites have electricity. The park offers fishing, hiking, picnicking and educational programs.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/RifleFalls/.
— Rifle Gap State Park’s 350-acre reservoir has room for all kinds of water sports. There is a beach on the reservoir’s west side. Rifle Gap anglers catch rainbow and German brown trout, walleye, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass and yellow perch. There are 89 camp sites.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/RifleGap/.
— Sweitzer Lake State Park near Delta is a lake-based retreat with plenty of picnic and water recreation. Visitors swim, picnic, fish, boat water ski and bird watch. The Grand Hogback runs along the south end of the reservoir.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/SweitzerLake/.
— Vega State Park is on the western edge of Grand Mesa National Forest. The park near Collbran offers fishing, boating, water skiing, hiking, picnicking, 109 campsites and five cabins. Vega has OHV access to U.S. Forest Service land.
Source: http://parks.state.co.us/Parks/vega.
FAST FACTS
— Most primitive campsite: Highline Lake State park has only tent sites.
— Most posh campsite: Island Acres State Recreation Area with 80 full hook-up sites, 34 electric sites and 14 tent sites.
— Most scenic: If you like desert, opt for Highline Lake. If you like the mountain community, choose Vega State Park with its spring and summer wildflowers. If you want a cross between the two, choose the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park.
— Fee ranges: $14 for tent sites, $18 for electric sites, and $22 for full water, sewer and electrical serviced sites. To reserve campsites at any Colorado State Park, call 1-800-678-2267 or go to http://coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com/.
— Anna Maria Basquez
