Lathrop State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lathrop State Park |
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Horseshoe Lake and the Spanish Peaks.
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 Lathrop State Park
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Huerfano County, Colorado, USA |
| Nearest city | Walsenburg, CO |
| Area | 1,594 acres (6.45 km2) |
| Established | 1962 |
| Visitors | 107,062 (in 2017) |
| Governing body | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
Lathrop State Park is a super cool place to visit in Colorado! It's located just a short drive west of Walsenburg. This park was the very first state park in Colorado, opening its doors in 1962. It's named after Harold Lathrop, who was the first person in charge of all the state parks.
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Discover Lathrop State Park: Colorado's First
Lathrop State Park was created when the state bought the land in 1962. It quickly became Colorado's first official state park that same year. The park is named in honor of Harold Lathrop, who was the first director of Colorado's state parks system.
Lakes and Fishing Fun
The park features two awesome lakes: Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake. These lakes are perfect for fishing! You can try to catch many different kinds of fish here. Some of the fish you might find include tiger muskie, rainbow trout, bass, catfish, northern pike, bluegill, saugeye, and wipers. Imagine catching a huge tiger muskie, like the 46-inch, 25-pound ones that have been caught here before!
Exciting Activities at the Park
Lathrop State Park offers tons of fun things to do for everyone. If you love the water, you can enjoy the beach, go boating, try water skiing, or even windsurfing and jet skiing.
If you prefer land activities, there are great spots for picnicking with your family and friends. You can also go hiking on the park's trails. It's a wonderful place for wildlife viewing, so keep an eye out for local animals! For those who love spending the night outdoors, camping is also available.
Play a Round of Golf
One special thing about Lathrop State Park is that it's the only state park in Colorado with its own golf course! The Walsenburg Golf Course was started in 1965 and opened in 1967. It was built by 50 citizens from Walsenburg and many local volunteers. This shows how much the community wanted this course! The golf course even has a restaurant and lounge. From there, you can enjoy amazing views of the lakes and the Spanish Peaks, which are a famous natural landmark.
Park Visitors and Popularity
Lathrop State Park is a very popular spot! In a recent year, over 107,000 visitors came to enjoy everything the park has to offer. It's a favorite destination for both locals and tourists looking for outdoor adventures and relaxation.
