Fishers Peak State Park: 16-plus Miles Open, Rich Wildlife Habitat

More than 16 miles of maintained trails at Fishers Peak State Park opened March 15, 2025, giving residents expanded access to a signature Las Animas County resource while the wider park remains under phased development for conservation and compatible recreation. The open area centers on the Fishers Peak Trailhead and encompasses roughly 1,000–1,300 acres within the park’s 19,200-acre footprint anchored by Fishers Peak (9,633 ft).

Trail users can now follow routes designated for hiking, mountain biking and, in limited segments, equestrian use. Notable segments in the current network include the Fishers Peak Trail (Summit Loop / Challenge Hill), Osita Ridge, Goldenrod, Upper and Lower Lone Cub, the Poison Canyon downhill mountain-bike trail, and several connector and interpretive trails. Trail distances and permitted user types are posted on the state parks trail pages and the park trail map; visitors should check those pages for up-to-date conditions, closures and posted rules before heading out.

The open acreage sits within a larger conservation corridor that links eastern grasslands, foothills and mountain habitat. Fishers Peak State Park supports more than 170 bird species and large mammals such as elk, mule deer, black bear and mountain lion, and it provides habitat for rarer species including the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse. Seasonal wildlife protections are in place: for example, the peregrine falcon nesting closure runs March 15–July 31. Dogs are restricted in the park’s current open area, with service animals and horses allowed under specific rules, to reduce disturbance to wildlife and protect sensitive resources.

Park facilities at the Fishers Peak Trailhead include vehicle parking, vault restrooms, interpretive signage, picnic areas and kiosks where required passes may be purchased. There is no staffed public office at the park; contact details and fees are posted on the Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) site. Visitors should carry water, wear weather-appropriate clothing and navigation tools, stay on designated trails and be aware of hunting seasons and seasonal trail closures. There are no EV charging stations at the park; nearby Trinidad offers EV chargers for visitors who need them.

For Las Animas County the opening strengthens a nature-based asset that supports local tourism, recreation and related economic activity in Trinidad and surrounding communities. The phased approach to opening balances public access with long-term habitat protection and emphasizes on-site management rather than full immediate development. CPW’s park and trail pages are the authoritative source for closures, trail conditions, fees and permitted uses; checking those pages before a visit reduces the risk of unplanned restrictions or safety issues.

What this means for readers is straightforward: more miles to explore close to home, but also more responsibility to follow closures and rules that protect wildlife and preserve the park for future visits. Expect incremental openings and continued management actions as the broader 19,200-acre park is developed for conservation and compatible recreation.