Movies anyone?

The park terrain except for the hogback is flat averaging 6425 feet of elevation. The hogback on the park north boundary gains 40 feet of elevation in the west and increased to 140 of elevation in the east. Much of the park ground cover is prairie and juniper prickly with scattered candelabra cholla. The park woodlands are primarily juniper and piñon. Exotic woodlands are cottonwood and Russian olive. The area west of Horseshoe Lake is partially marsh land with cattails and bulrush.

Welcome to Lathrop State Park. We want you to have a good time walking our trails and hiking our terrain through grass, trees, cactus and rocks that may require using your hands seeking your geocache. Be aware that there are rattlesnakes in Lathrop State Park. Specific geocaches inform you of terrain that is more that a casual walk. Most individual geocache description lists a parking lot where you can start your walk, and that gives you time to see what this park is about as you seek your goal. Do not forget to enjoy the view of the mountains on the horizon.

Lathrop State Park, while sitting in the shadows of the Spanish Peaks, has the honor of being Colorado’s 1st State Park and covers 1594 acres. One of the main features of the park is its two lakes; Martin Lake covers about 180 surface acres while Horseshoe Lake has about 150 surface-acres. Both host a wide range of water activities.

Lathrop State Park is 3 miles west of Walsenburg via US Hwy. 160. Entrance to Lathrop State Park in Walsenburg, CO requires a park pass that can be purchased at the visitor center for display on your vehicle windshield. There is also a self-serving station near the park entrance.

Two types of passes are available: A daily Pass is valid from the day purchased until noon the following day. An Annual Pass is valid at any state park recreation area for the calendar year. Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free without a pass.

Begin on Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day weekend, each Friday and Saturday and Sundays’ during the 3-day holiday weekend a different illustrated or talks and props presentation is offered at the amphitheater. History, geology, and wildlife of the area are just some of the many programs presented.

Lathrop’s picnic areas, which received an outdoor recreation award for America’s Top 15 Picnic Areas, are situated around both Martin Lake and Horseshoe Reservoir. Each table sits lakeside or a short distance among the trees, has a stand up fire grill, and most tables are shaded. Picnic tables are first-come, first serve basis. Be aware that there are rattlesnakes in the park.

The original amphitheater was built in 1967 with wooden seats on concrete supports about 100 yards north of the camp store. There was a nearby fire pit. The current amphitheater was built in the late 1990’s with metal seats on a concrete floor, lighting for the floor steps, a stage with painted white plastered concrete blocks for a screen used for movies or slides, electrical outlets, and an asphalt walkway from the camp store. A fire pit was used until the 2002 drought that increased the potential for a wildfire. In 2011 the asphalt walkway was replaced with concrete with a ground level light every 10 yards.

Beginning on Memorial Day weekend and ending on Labor Day weekend each Friday, Saturday and the Sunday of a three day weekend a different presentation is offered at the amphitheater. Geology, history, nature and music of the area are some of the many programs presented. Information on programs is published in the local newspapers. Signs are posted in the visitor center and each campground loop.

Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the camp store.