Ridgway State Park - Colorado State Parks

10/07/2026

🌊 That’s a wrap on another incredible season at the Blue Heron Marina ! 🌊

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, stocked up, and spent their summer with us. As the weather cools down, here are a few important details for the fall:

🛒 Marina Store: Closing for the season starting Friday, October 10.
🗓️ Reopening:We’ll be back and ready to welcome you in May 2027!
🚣 Boat Rentals: Still available through October! While the store is closed, all rental bookings will be handled directly through the park Visitor Center.

Thank you for a fantastic season—we couldn't have done it without you. Have a wonderful fall and winter, and we’ll see you back on the water next spring! 💙🦩

10/07/2026

Yellow alert! ⚠️

It's not just the leaves that are bringing the Fall vibes - The Rubber Rabbitbrush on the Forest Discovery Trail is bursting with bright yellow blooms! And the best part? They're like the party animals of the plant world, blooming from August to October when everyone else is winding down, providing a sweet pollen party for our insect friends!

10/03/2026

Trail Report 10/3/26:

A typical shoulder season day. The high was in the 70s today and will drop into the 40s at night. After multiple days of rain, we finally have sunshine! The trails are drying out, and everything looks a little greener today. You'll find hints of yellow and orange as the fall foliage makes its way to lower elevations. 🍂🍃

We have a few days of sunshine, but as always, the mountains make their own weather, so please plan your visit accordingly. We look forward to seeing you!

09/23/2026

NOTICE: SWIM AREA CLOSING FOR THE SEASON

Effective Tuesday, September 23, 2026, the swim area is closed for the season due to dropping water levels, decreased seasonal visitation, and staffing shortages. The beach remains open to visitors, but swimming is strictly prohibited.

Blue Heron Marina Store Hours
Beginning Friday, September 25, 2026, marina store hours will change due to staff shortages:

Sunday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: Closed

Boat & Equipment Rentals
Pontoon Boat Rentals: Remain available and can be reserved by calling 970-318-9689 or visiting the Park Visitor Center.

Friday & Saturday Rentals: All boat rentals on Fridays and Saturdays will be handled through the Park Visitor Center while the marina store is closed.

Paddleboards & Kayaks: Rentals are no longer available through the Blue Heron Marina store, but can still be rented directly at the Whenever Watersports kiosks at the swim beach and in Bay View in Dallas Creek .

09/23/2026

There’s nothing quite like waking up to the first dusting of the season! ❄️🏔️

Overnight, the San Juan Mountains got their first touch of winter white, with Mt. Sneffels looking absolutely stunning behind the park. Fall in Colorado really knows how to make an entrance. 🍂✨

Are you ready for winter, or are you holding onto summer as long as you can?

09/15/2026

09/06/2026

Colorado’s bears are hungry. That does not mean you should feed them.

Right now bears are looking to pack on the calories ahead of winter –– and those calories need to come from their natural, wild food sources. The historic drought is having an impact on their naturally available food sources, but wild bears need wild food. Not people food. Or even “wild” food courtesy of people.

They need wild food they get on their own.

Bears, people and food do not mix well. We understand concern for our state’s wildlife and this is a unique year, but supplemental feeding of bears is illegal, dangerous and does much more harm than good in both the short and long term.

Feeding bears teaches them to become less wary of humans, which can be dangerous. It also ruins their natural instincts of how to forage and prepare for winter on their own, which can hurt them this year, and well into the future.

This also doesn’t just apply to your backyard. This goes for the backcountry as well. Bears are incredibly adept at noticing an increase in human activity in the woods. If that activity is associated with an easy meal, those bears will seek out more human activity (like going to the nearest town) rather than staying in the backcountry.

The list of reasons to not feed bears goes on. Don’t be the reason a bear loses the “wild” part of being wildlife. Their instincts have been sharpened over thousands of years. Do not be the one who ruins them –– choose to be part of the solution and preserve those instincts.

To learn more please visit our website: https://cpw.state.co.us/news/08282026/editorial-want-help-starving-bears-dont-feed-them

09/03/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ouray County RESCINDS Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, reinstates Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following activities are prohibited:

All personal fireworks.
Any fire not contained within a permanently constructed fire-pit, fire-ring, or grate on public or private land.
Smoking outdoors in areas that are not cleared of combustible materials.
Agricultural burning.
Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame unless conducted in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter and with a pressurized chemical fire extinguisher immediately available.
Operating internal combustion engines, such as chainsaws, without a properly installed and maintained spark-arresting device.
Target shooting with explosive targets.
The following activities remain permitted under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

Fires in permanent fire pits or fire rings at private residences and within developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas.
Fire features, chimineas, and tiki torches at private residences when supervised by a responsible adult. Use of liquid-fuel or gas-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices. Target shooting conducted in a safe manner (excluding explosive targets).

Please be advised that penalties for violating the fire ban include: Class-2 petty offense with fines ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the number of offenses. If a fire causes damage to another individual’s property, additional criminal charges may apply. These fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

Violations of these restrictions can be reported to the Ouray County Sheriff's Office at 970-325-7272 or by calling WestCo Dispatch at 970-249-9110.

For more fire-related information on Colorado’s Western Slope please visit: http://www.westslopefireinfo.com/

Community members and visitors are encouraged to sign-up for Emergency Notifications through Ouray County Alerts: https://ouraycountyco.gov/434/Emergency-Notifications

09/02/2026

Join us for Bird Banding Day!