Mancos State Park

Nestled in the San Juan Mountains sits Mancos State Park -- a natural haven surrounding the Jackson Gulch Reservoir. The beauty of this park, coupled with its central location to many of the area's tourist draws, makes it a favorite among travelers visiting to take in as much as they can of what Colorado has to offer. 

The facilities here offer 32 campsites divided into two different camping areas. The north area provides patrons with drinking water and is open all year long. On the other hand, the west area does not have water on-site and cannot be visited during the winter months. All sites come equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, but none offer hookups of any kind. Please note that you'll need to pay a $7 entry fee for a ParkPass in addition to the nightly camping rate starting at $18.

 If you'd like to step up your camping experience, try staying in a yurt! The best part is that Mancos lets pups inside of their yurts for just an extra fee of $10 -- and one of the yurts is wheelchair accessible, too. You'll find numerous picnic areas spread throughout the park, some of which are sheltered and large enough for groups to use. Fires are allowed here and firewood can be bought on the premises for $5 a bundle.

Activities at the park center around the reservoir, which allows motor boats but has a "no wake" rule in effect. It is the perfect place to get out on your canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. Concerts and other events are scheduled each weekend during the summer months, along with interpretive programs in daylight hours. Bring your pup on the 5.5 miles of hiking trails or pack a picnic to enjoy a meal in a special place in the woods.

Doggos are welcome to stay at Mancos State Park as long they stay on-leash throughout their visit. The park asks that owners keep their furry friends out of the lake and that all pet waste is cleaned up promptly and put in the appropriate place. 

If you'd like to discover this part of Colorado, Mancos makes for a great home base with lots on offer at the park, itself.