Harvey Gap State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Harvey Gap State Park is located in the state of Colorado and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is situated around Harvey Gap Reservoir and offers a variety of activities including fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and wildlife watching.
One of the main attractions of the park is the Harvey Gap Reservoir, which offers excellent fishing opportunities. The reservoir is home to a variety of fish species including trout, bass, and pike. Visitors can also rent boats and kayaks to explore the reservoir.
There are several hiking trails in the park that offer scenic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The Hogback Trail is a popular trail that offers panoramic views of the reservoir and the surrounding landscape.
Visitors can also enjoy camping at Harvey Gap State Park. There are several camping options available, including RV sites, tent sites, and cabins.
Interesting facts about the park include that it was originally built in the 1950s to provide water for agriculture in the area. It was later turned into a state park in 1970.
The best time to visit Harvey Gap State Park is in the summer months when the weather is warm and the reservoir is open for fishing and boating. However, the park is also open year-round and offers winter activities such as ice fishing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Harvey Gap State Park is a great destination for anyone who enjoys outdoor activities and stunning natural scenery.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
West Elk Ridge Camp
|
||
Tiki Mine Camp
|
||
West Elk Area Campsite
|
||
Rifle Falls State Park
|
||
Rifle Gap State Park
|
||
Cedar Campground
|