Summary
This state park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of recreational activities for visitors of all ages.
One of the main reasons to visit Highline Lake State Park is to enjoy its scenic beauty. The park is situated around two man-made lakes, Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and mesas. Visitors can explore the park's many hiking and biking trails, or rent a paddleboat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard to explore the lakes themselves.
Another popular attraction at Highline Lake State Park is the park's campground. The campground offers both tent and RV sites, as well as cabins and yurts for rent. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of amenities, including hot showers, laundry facilities, and a camp store.
Other points of interest at Highline Lake State Park include the park's nature center, which features interactive exhibits on the local flora and fauna, as well as a variety of educational programs and guided hikes. There are also several picnic areas scattered throughout the park, as well as a playground and sand volleyball court.
Interesting facts about Highline Lake State Park include the fact that it was originally established as a water storage reservoir in the early 1900s, and that the park is home to a variety of rare and endangered bird species, including the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon.
The best time of year to visit Highline Lake State Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is the most popular season, with warm weather and plenty of water activities available. Fall is a great time to visit for hiking and leaf-peeping, while winter offers opportunities for ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Highline Lake State Park
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Banjo
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Cottonwood 1
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Cottonwood 2
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Cottonwood 3
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Cottonwood 4
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Mack Mesa Lake
Mack Mesa Reservoir
Fruita Reservoir Number 2