Eleven Mile

Eleven Mile State Park surrounds the 3,405-acre Eleven Mile Reservoir in the high mountain valley of South Park, approximately 45 miles west of Colorado Springs at an elevation of 8,600 feet. The park is renowned as one of Colorado's premier fishing destinations, with multiple Gold Medal water designations and an exceptional trophy trout and pike fishery. Set in a broad, open valley ringed by the peaks of the Mosquito, Tarryall, and Puma Hills ranges, the park offers a high-altitude recreation experience with wide-open views, sparse development, and a rugged, windswept beauty that draws anglers, campers, and those seeking solitude in Colorado's mountain heartland.

Eleven Mile's high-elevation grasslands and reservoir habitats support wildlife adapted to the harsh mountain valley environment. Pronghorn antelope are a distinctive sight on the open South Park grasslands, and elk herds frequent the surrounding hills. Mule deer, coyotes, and jackrabbits are common. The reservoir is one of the state's top fisheries, supporting rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, northern pike, kokanee salmon, and carp, with trophy-sized fish taken regularly. Bald eagles winter near the reservoir, and ospreys fish the waters during summer. Golden eagles, prairie falcons, and Swainson's hawks hunt the open grasslands. Mountain plovers, a declining species of conservation concern, nest on the short-grass meadows of South Park. Great blue herons and white pelicans visit during warmer months.

The vegetation at Eleven Mile reflects the park's high-elevation mountain valley setting in the South Park grasslands. The landscape is dominated by expansive sagebrush meadows and native bunchgrasses including Arizona fescue, mountain muhly, and various bluegrasses. Rabbitbrush adds golden color to the autumn landscape. The reservoir's shores are largely open, with scattered willows along inlet streams. Lodgepole pine and spruce forests border the park at higher elevations, particularly to the south and west. The treeless character of the valley floor is caused by the combination of high elevation, cold air drainage, and dry conditions. Wildflowers are brief but beautiful during the short summer season, with species including lupine, wild iris, and alpine sunflower appearing from June through August.

Eleven Mile Reservoir occupies a portion of the South Park basin, a broad intermontane valley formed by the convergence of several geological processes. South Park is a structural basin bounded by the Mosquito Range to the west, the Park Range to the east, and various uplifts to the north and south. The basin is filled with Tertiary sedimentary and volcanic deposits overlying older Mesozoic and Paleozoic formations. The Pikes Peak granite batholith, approximately 1 billion years old, is exposed in areas along the reservoir's eastern shore. Glacial deposits from Pleistocene mountain glaciers are visible in the surrounding ranges. The South Platte River, which the reservoir impounds, has eroded through the varied geological formations, and the dam site takes advantage of a natural constriction in the valley.

Eleven Mile experiences a harsh high-mountain climate with long, cold winters, short cool summers, and significant wind. At 8,600 feet elevation, winter temperatures regularly drop below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit, and the reservoir freezes solidly enough for ice fishing from December through March. Summer highs typically reach only the 60s to low 70s, with nights dropping into the 30s and 40s even in July. Annual precipitation averages about 12 inches, much of it falling as snow. South Park is one of the windiest areas in Colorado, and strong winds can make the reservoir dangerous for boaters and create challenging conditions for shore fishing. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer, with lightning a significant hazard on the open, treeless landscape.

South Park has been used by indigenous peoples for at least 10,000 years, with the broad valley serving as a major hunting ground for bison and other game. The Ute people were the primary inhabitants at European contact, and the park's name reflects the original French trappers' term for the area. South Park was a gathering place for multiple tribal nations who hunted the enormous bison herds that once roamed the grasslands. Euro-American trappers and explorers arrived in the early 1800s, and gold mining brought a rush of settlement in the 1860s. The nearby town of Fairplay was a center for placer mining. Ranching became the dominant land use as mining declined, and the open grasslands of South Park continue to support cattle operations that maintain the valley's pastoral character.

Eleven Mile State Park was established in 1967 around the Eleven Mile Reservoir, which was constructed by the Denver Water Board in the early 1930s as part of the city's complex trans-mountain water supply system. The reservoir stores South Platte River water for delivery to Denver and suburban communities. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages recreation under agreement with Denver Water. The park developed its reputation as a premier fishing destination through careful fisheries management, with Gold Medal water designations recognizing the exceptional quality of the trout fishery. Ice fishing has become equally popular, with the reservoir hosting one of the state's largest ice fishing competitions. The park's relatively remote location and harsh climate have kept it less developed than many Front Range parks.

Fishing is the primary draw at Eleven Mile, with the reservoir offering Gold Medal trout fishing from shore and boat. Trophy northern pike, some exceeding 30 pounds, are a major attraction. Ice fishing from December through March is extremely popular, with anglers targeting trout, pike, and kokanee salmon through the thick ice. Boating is permitted with a wakeless restriction, making the lake ideal for fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks. The park offers approximately 7 miles of trails along the shoreline, suitable for hiking and mountain biking. The park's 25 miles of shoreline provide diverse bank fishing access. The campground offers 349 sites across multiple campground areas, with options ranging from basic tent sites to electrical hookup sites. The open South Park landscape provides exceptional views of the surrounding mountain ranges and spectacular sunsets.

Eleven Mile State Park is located approximately 11 miles south of the town of Lake George on Park County Road 92, or about 45 miles west of Colorado Springs. The park can also be accessed from Hartsel and Fairplay to the west. Facilities include 349 campsites across multiple campground areas (North Shore, Lazy Boy, Rocky Flats, Stoll Mountain, Cross Creek, and others), vault restrooms, boat ramps, and a small park office. There is no marina or boat rental on site. A valid Colorado State Parks pass or daily vehicle permit is required. The park is open year-round, and winter access can be challenging during heavy snow. Lake George and Florissant provide basic services; Colorado Springs offers the nearest full services. No commercial air service is nearby.

Conservation at Eleven Mile focuses on fisheries management, water quality protection, and grassland habitat preservation. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages the reservoir fishery through stocking programs, harvest regulations, and habitat monitoring to maintain the Gold Medal fishery status. Water level management by Denver Water affects fish spawning habitat and shoreline ecology, and CPW works with Denver Water to maintain minimum pools during drought years. The park's grassland habitats in South Park are part of a regionally significant ecosystem that supports declining species including mountain plover and other grassland birds. Invasive species prevention through the boat inspection program protects the reservoir. The park's remote location and limited development help preserve the area's natural character and dark night skies.