St. Vrain State Park

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St. Vrain State Park is a Colorado state park in Weld County, near Firestone. It covers 688 acres and was established in 1965. In 2021 it welcomed about 283,000 visitors.

What you can do there
- Camp year-round with modern RV-friendly sites
- Fish in stocked ponds and enjoy easy hiking
- Walk miles of trails and watch wildlife
- See the Blue Heron Reservoir, home to Colorado’s largest Blue Heron rookery
- Spot many birds, waterfowl, songbirds, and sometimes bald eagles
- Look for other wildlife such as coyotes, rabbits, foxes, deer, and possibly moose

History in brief
- The land was once home to Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne peoples.
- It passed through Spanish and French control before becoming part of the United States.
- In the 1860s, a sod fort called Fort Junction stood nearby during frontier times.
- Nearby towns grew around coal mining in the Carbon Valley region.
- In 1962, gravel ponds were turned into a state recreation area named after Roy N. Barbour.
- The park opened a campground in 1967 and has gradually expanded with ponds, trails, and facilities.
- In 2015, Blue Heron Reservoir opened, making the park’s rookery the largest in the state.

Today’s park features
- Campsites with water and electricity
- Camper Services building with showers
- Trails and pond views throughout the area
- A focus on wildlife habitat and native vegetation
- Partnerships with other parks to offer augmented reality experiences for visitors

If you’re looking for a simple, nature-filled spot with good birding, fishing, and camping, St. Vrain State Park is a great choice.