Highline Lake State Park Trails Several trails circle Mack Mesa Lake and Highline Lake. The park is close to the well-known Kokopelli trail complex and the newer, North Fruita Desert Trails bike trail complex.
Engle Loop A new loop has been added to the Highline Lake hiking and biking trails! Engle Loop adds approximately .9 miles to the 18 Hour Trail, bringing the trail’s total length to 6.42 miles. The 18 Hour Trail is the trail loop around the park that is used for the 18 Hour Race that occurs every spring as a part of the Fruita Fat Tire Festival. The new portion of single track crosses several gullies and in places should be reminiscent of Prime Cut at the 18 Road area north of Fruita. Click here for a map of the 18 Hour Trail, including Engle Loop. Contact the Highline Lake Visitor Center at 970-858-7208 or email highline.park@state.co.us for more information.
Highline Lake Trail 3.5 miles; unpaved, gravel surface; easy; foot, horse & bike; begins at East Boat Ramp and follows Park boundary around the lake. This trail features excellent shore bird and mule deer viewing opportunities.
East Bluffs Loop 1.7 miles; unpaved; difficult; foot & bike; narrow single-track, steep sections.
Greasewood Flats Loop A .7 mile; unpaved; easy; foot & bike trail.
Mack Mesa Loop One-mile; unpaved; easy; foot & bike; awesome views from atop Mack Hill.
Blue Heron Ponds Loop One-mile; unpaved; easy; foot & bike; runs below dam in area rich in wildlife.
18 Hours of Fruita Trail An approximately 6 mile loop around the park, used annually in May for the renowned 18 Hours of Fruita Endurance Race. Bicyclists compete to complete the most laps in 18 hours of continuous riding. Trail is easy to difficult; wildlife is abundant and views are awesome.
Outside park boundaries: 1. Kokopelli Trail System The trail head for the world-famous Kokopelli Trail System from Loma, Colorado to Moab, Utah is just six-miles south of Highline Lake State Park, on county roads through rural farmlands.
2. North Fruita Desert Trails Access to the Bureau of Land Management, world-class, North Fruita Desert Trail System is mere minutes from Highline Lake State Park.