Highline Lake State Park opens to boating on Friday, March 2 as the park staff welcomes boaters for the 2012 season. Though the water may be very cold and the late-winter weather is very unpredictable, the last of the ice has given way to open water and the lake will be open to all types of boating.

Only the West ramp will open for launching watercraft and aquatic nuisance species (ANS) inspections. The East ramp will remain closed as the water level is very low and ANS inspectors won’t be available until later in the boating season. Bring your boat, jet skis, water skis, wake boards and wet or dry suit to be among the first to welcome spring at Highline Lake, a boating center in western Colorado.  

Highline Lake State Park is participating in the effort to curb the spread of aquatic nuisance species, including zebra and quagga mussels, in the state’s reservoirs and waterways. All vessels entering and leaving Highline Lake will be inspected for ANS. If ANS are detected on any of the watercraft, decontamination is required. To speed up the inspection process, boaters are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their vessel, including removing the plug to drain the water, prior to entering the park and as soon as the watercraft has left the water.  For more information about the state’s aquatic nuisance species program, visit www.parks.state.co.us/Boating.

Spring is also a great time to camp, hike, bike, fish and picnic at Highline Lake State Park. There are 31 great campsites with impressive views. A cozy campfire is a great cure for Cabin Fever, along with a dose of friends and family camping at Highline Lake. The camper services building offers hot, high-pressure showers as well as washers and dryers in the laundry room. Join staff and visitors for another great camping season in 2012!

Visit www.parks.state.co.us/Parks/HighlineLake to find park, trail and campground maps, reservation information, links to park photos and a wealth of other information. Reservations are strongly suggested for camping weekends March through October. Either call 1(800) 678-2267 or visit the website at www.parks.state.co.us/Reservations.