Pearl Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pearl Lake State Park |
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The park and lake in 2016.
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 Pearl Lake State Park
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Routt County, Colorado, USA |
| Nearest city | Steamboat Springs, CO |
| Area | 300 acres (120 ha) |
| Established | 1964 |
| Governing body | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
Pearl Lake State Park is a beautiful outdoor area in Colorado, USA. It is located near the town of Hahn's Peak in Routt County, Colorado. The park is north of Steamboat Springs. Pearl Lake is named after M. Pearl Hartt. She was the wife of a pioneer sheep rancher, John Kelly Hartt.
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A Look Back at Pearl Lake
Long ago, the land that is now Pearl Lake State Park was used for farming. A man named John Kelly Hartt owned many sheep. His sheep would spend their summers near Hahn's Peak. After John Kelly Hartt passed away in the early 1950s, his wife, Pearl, sold the land. She sold it to the U.S. Forest Service. This sale helped change the area. It went from being mostly farms to a popular place for fun outdoor activities.
Fun Things to Do at Pearl Lake
Pearl Lake State Park offers many exciting activities. You can go camping, boating, fishing, and have picnics.
Camping and Staying Over
The park has 36 campsites. These are nestled among fir, spruce, and pine trees. You can set up a tent, or bring a trailer or small motor home. The park also has two yurts available to rent. A yurt is a round, tent-like structure that offers a cozy camping experience.
Boating on the Lake
The lake covers about 167 acres (0.68 square kilometers). You can use boats with gasoline or electric motors here. However, all boats must go at "wakeless speeds." This means going slow enough so your boat does not create a big wave behind it. This rule helps keep the lake calm and safe for everyone.
Fishing and What You Need
If you like fishing, Pearl Lake is a great spot. You will need a fishing license to cast your line. The park has a special rule for fishing: you can only use flies and artificial lures. This means you cannot use live bait. This rule helps protect the fish and the lake's environment.
Winter Fun at the Park
During the winter, Pearl Lake State Park gets a lot of snow. It can get over 300 inches (7,620 mm) of snow each year! Because of this, the roads and park buildings close. But the park is still open for people to walk or use snowmobiles. Popular winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.
