Manitou Park Recreation Area, Colorado facts for kids
The Manitou Park Recreation Area is a fun place to visit in the Pike National Forest. It's about 5.2 miles (8.4 km) north of Woodland Park. You can find it along Colorado State Highway 67 in Teller County, Colorado. This area has several places where you can camp. It also has a nice spot for picnics called the Manitou Lake Picnic Area.
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Manitou Lake Picnic Area: Fun for Everyone!
The Manitou Lake Picnic Area is a great spot for families. It has a 1 mile (1.6 km) nature trail. This trail goes all the way around Manitou Park Lake. You can also find a historic stone picnic shelter here. It's located at the south end of the lake.
Explore the Trails
Another cool path is the Centennial Trail. This trail is 8 miles (13 km) long. You can hike or bike on it. The Centennial Trail starts at the Manitou Lake Picnic Area. It goes all the way to Woodland Park. About 4.2 miles (6.8 km) of this trail connects the picnic area to the camping spots.
Fishing and Wildlife
If you like fishing, you can cast a line in Trout Creek. You can also fish in Manitou Lake. The picnic area also has a special wet area. This wetland is a home for many birds. You might see ducks, geese, and other songbirds here. They love the south side of Manitou Park Lake.
Visiting the Picnic Area
There is a small fee to enter the picnic area. It costs seven dollars. If you plan to camp, there are separate fees for the campgrounds.
Manitou Park Lake: A Special Reservoir
Manitou Park Lake is also known as Manitou Lake. It's actually a reservoir. A reservoir is like a big, human-made lake. It holds water for different uses. This lake covers about 5 acres (2.0 hectares) of land.
The Lake's Dam
The lake has an earthen dam. This means it's made mostly of soil and rocks. The dam was built in 1937. It helps to hold back the water from Trout Creek. This creates the beautiful Manitou Park Lake.
Camping Adventures
There are five different places to camp. They are all located along Highway 67. These campgrounds are named Colorado, Painted Rocks, South Meadows, Pike Community, and Red Rocks.
Group Camping and Activities
Pike Community and Red Rocks are special group campgrounds. This means they are set up for larger groups of people. They are perfect for family reunions or big gatherings.
The campgrounds offer many fun activities. You can play volleyball or softball. There are also horseshoe pits for a classic outdoor game. An amphitheater is available for big group events. There is even a dumping station for campers.
