Colorados newest state park is an absolute stunner. Sweetwater Lake, located above I-70, was announced to be the state’s 43rd state park last week. According to CBS Denver, the park will open to the public next summer. The park will be run as a joint collaboration with the “Colorado Parks and Wildlife, White River National Forest and the Eagle Valley Land Trust,” and is the first national/state partnership in the country. Some of the features of the park include a boat dock that will open next summer,“wetland plants, ponds, irrigated meadows, springs, and a cave.” Creating hiking trails and camping sites are also among the future plans for the state park.
The move stands as a major victory for the outdoors, conservation, and environmental community. According to the Colorado Sun, the land on National Forest was originally privately owned, and new investors were pondering either luxury homes, a golf course, or a private water bottling facility. For decades, the lake has been home to the Sweetwater Lake Resort, which features cabins, a campground, a restaurant, horseback tours, and a boat dock.
Videos showing off the new state park, along with its physical location on Google Maps, are below.
Image/Video Credits: Google Maps, CBS Denver, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Eagle Valley Land Trust
