Conditions

Boat Ramps - 5/23/2013 The lake level is still below the boat ramp at Jackson Gulch Reservoir. Small/lightweight trailers could launch but be aware that you will be driving down gravel beyond the cement ramp. The water level continues to rise as the snowmelt runs into the reservoir. Once the water level rises to the cement ramp launching will be possible for larger trailered boats. During boating season a pre-launch boat inspection for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) is REQUIRED for all trailered and motorized boats to prevent the introduction of Zebra & Quagga mussels as well as other ANS into Colorado waters. The inspection station at Jackson Gulch reservoir is now open 8am - 8pm Fridays & Saturdays and 8am - 4:30 pm Sunday - Thursday. During non-staff hours please call 970-903-7286 or 970-882-2213 (Dolores Parks & Wildlife office) or 970-247-0855 (Durango Parks & Wildlife office) to arrange a pre-inspection and seal for your boat. For important information on Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) and boating rules please click on the "Boating" link or call our Dolores office: 970-882-2213. Boating - 5/23/2013 The lake is now open to boating. HOWEVER, the water level is still below the cement boat ramp. Lightweight trailers could launch but be aware you will be driving over gravel to reach the lake. Hand launching of smaller boats is an option but it is a long walk to the water at this time. A pre-launch inspection for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) is REQUIRED for all trailered or motorized boats to prevent the introduction of ANS into Colorado waters. ANS inspections can be done at Mancos 8am - 8pm daily. You may have to call 970-903-7286 to have staff meet you at the ramp. The cell phone number is posted at the lake. For a boat inspection during non-staff hours please call 970-903-7286 or 970-882-2213 (our Dolores office) or 970-247-0855 (Durango Parks & Wildlife office) to schedule an inspection. Remember to CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat between uses to reduce the risk of transporting aquatic nuisance species that can ruin water recreation areas! For more information on the boating rules and ANS please follow the website link to "Boating". Mancos will have their kayak and pedal boats available for renting beginning May 24th. For boat registration information, follow the links on the Parks homepage or call our Dolores office, 970-882-2213. Boat registrations can be completed at our Dolores office during staffed hours (8am-5pm Tuesday through Friday). Boat registrations are valid from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. Please visit our website for important Boating Safety information and regulations. Camping - 5/23/2013 Mancos State Park has 32 campsites and 2 yurts. There are no electrical or water hookups in any of the sites. Water hydrants are available in the main campground and vault toilets are located throughout the park. Two cabin-like yurts with a variety of amenities are also available year round(reservations required)! Yurt and campground reservations can be made online by following the state park website links, or by calling 800-678-2267 or if you are in the Denver metro area please call 303-470-1144. Yurt reservations are required year round. Campsite reservations are recommended for the summer months (May-Sept). The park entrance station will re-open May 24th. When the entrance station is not staffed please purchase your park pass and camping permit at the self-serve station. An annual pass or day-use pass is required on each vehicle. The RV dump station is open to campers. Cell Phone Coverage - 5/23/2013 Most cell phone service companies can receive and send calls from the park. There may be some areas where no service is available (on some of the trails outside of the park). Construction - 5/23/2013 There are no construction projects in the park at this time. Fire Restrictions - 5/23/2013 There are no fire restrictions in Mancos State Park at this time. As always you are required to keep fires contained in designated fire rings. We often have strong spring winds so please burn responsibly! Please use local firewood to prevent the introduction of wood boring pests. See www.dontmovefirewood.org for more information. Firewood is available for $5/bundle at the entrance station or from our camphost. Fishing Report - 5/23/2013 Jackson Gulch reservoir continues to have inflow from snowmelt. However, the lake is still below the cement ramp. In spite of the low lake level fishing has been good for 10-12" rainbow trout and 6-7" yellow perch with an occasional large brown trout. 10,000 rainbow trout were stocked the first week of May. The inlet is flowing and this is a favorite area for the trout to hang out in the spring. Trout enjoy various powerbaits (especially yellow, rainbow and garlic), and worms. Perch love nightcrawler, mealworm, or waxworm. Perch are small, averaging about 6-7”, but anglers should keep them if they’ll eat them. There is no limit on the number of perch you can possess and they make great fish tacos! This also helps to work towards thinning the perch population in the lake. The daily limit for trout is 4. A park pass is required when utilizing the park. Daily park passes are available at the self-serve pay post at the park entrance. Park passes and fishing licenses are on sale at the Mancos entrance station during staff hours. For fishing rules/regulations and information please click on the "Fishing" link on our website. Hunting - 5/23/2013 NO HUNTING in Mancos State Park. This includes waterfowl. But, Mancos State Park makes a great base camp for hunters accessing nearby US Forest Service lands. The upper loop of the main campground is kept open all year. Heated yurts are available that sleep six. For yurt reservations call 1-800-678-2267 or follow the links on our website. If you are interested in a limited access hunting experience you can put in for a special use permit drawing to hunt in nearby Lone Mesa State Park. Please visit the Lone Mesa State Park link and click on "Hunting" or call our Dolores office: 970-882-2213. Park Entrance - 5/23/2013 Mancos State Park is open year round. The entrance station is staffed during summer months mid-May - Sept). Regular hours: Friday & Saturday 8am-8pm, Sunday - Thursday 8am - 4:30 pm. When the entrance station is not staffed be sure to stop at the self-service station, at the park entrance, to purchase your park pass and camping permit. An annual park pass or daily park pass is required on every vehicle, every day of the year. To purchase an annual pass in the off-season please call our Dolores office: 970-882-2213. Road Conditions - 5/23/2013 Roads are all dry and open. Please be aware that spring rains can make roads muddy at times. Seasonal Closures - 5/23/2013 The entrance station generally open Friday & Saturdays 8am-8pm and 8am - 4:30pm Sunday - Thursday. When the entrance station is closed please purchase your daily park pass and camping permit at the park entrance pay post. All roads and campgrounds are now open. Spring Colors - 5/23/2013 Spring has sprung at Mancos! All roads and campgrounds are open. Spring can bring unexpected changes in weather so be prepared! Apple trees, chokecherry, wild iris, yellow monkey flower, larkspur, lupine, and various other early wildflowers are blooming now. Temperatures have been steadily rising but nights can still be quite cool. Be prepared for mixed conditions during the spring: snow, rain, wind, sunshine, warm, cool but always FUN! Trails - 5/23/2013 Recent warm dry weather has helped dry out the trails. But, we also have had a few snow and rain storms that can cause wet, snowy, or muddy trail conditions. Remember to be prepared for sudden changes in weather when utilizing the trails. Carry extra clothing & water. Please see the trails section for more details on our park trails. Water Levels - 5/23/2013 Spring run-off continues and the reservoir is filling. But, domestic demands on the reservoir are also pulling out of the lake. The lake level was only at 15% of capacity (lowest levels since 1996) over the winter due to dry weather, and domestic demands on Jackson Gulch Reservoir during the past summer and fall. The lake level is still below the cement boat ramp but is rising slowly. Water Temperature - 5/23/2013 The lake is fed by snow-melt so the water temperature is very cold. Please use extreme caution around the lake. Swimming is NOT allowed in the lake.