Colorado

14 miles northwest of Fruita, CO surrounded by high desert on the western slope lies Highline Lake State Park: a water recreation hot spot for the Grand Junction, CO area whose water comes from the Highline Canal diverted from the Colorado River. Open year round for hiking (but not boating), there is a substantial trail system along all sides of Highline Lake and neighboring Mack Mesa Lake for hikers and mountain bikers alike. Combining some of these trails creates the 6.4-mile-long 18 Hour Trail around the park used for the 18 Hour Race every spring during the Fruita Fat Tire Festival. This is a fee area.

When Open? Area Acres Operated By
Year-round; 6AM to 10PM 562 acres Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Dogs Allowed? Miles of Trail Max/Min Elev (ft)
Dogs allowed on leash 10 4,620ft - 4,790ft

Highline Lake State Park Trail and Map Finder

Area Hiking Trails:
Area Trailheads:
1 - Highline Lake Main Trailhead
2 - Highline Lake West Shore Trailhead
3 - Mack Mesa Lake North Trailhead
4 - Mack Mesa Lake Trailhead
Area Campgrounds:
1 - Highline Lake State Park Campground