Mancos State Park•Colorado

There are many lesser known places out west that are overshadowed by a world famous destination that attracts large crowds. One such place can be found in the lower elevations of the San Juan Mountains of Colorado next to the ever so popular Mesa Verde National Park. Mancos State Park is just a few miles away on Highway 160, which is the main tourism corridor in the southern Colorado Rocky Mountains. Mesa Verde is literally located next door to Mancos and the Million Dollar Highway is close by. Because the majority of tourists are only focus on experiencing Mesa Verde or destinations in the high elevations, the town of Mancos is a fly by traffic zone of the masses. Relatively few travelers notice the signage as they zip on by and even less will actually take the time to check out old historic Mancos. Even fewer venture out to the reservoir at Mancos State Park, because there are several prime time lake destination near Durango.

For those who seek a hidden gem, this destination is like music to the ears. On any given day there is plenty of room to roam at Mancos State Park. This park is about 7,800 feet up and the summer temperatures are about 70 to 90ºF. The main attraction at Mancos State Park is the Jackson Gulch Reservoir, which is a moderate size lake with a long shoreline. Jackson Lake is navigable for small craft boating and it is a good place to do some paddle boarding. This lake is stocked with gamefish, so it is an angler's paradise.

There are a few shade trees, a picnic area and a grassy field for activities. The maintained portion of the park doesn't cover much ground. Mancos State Park primarily attracts locals, so there is no need to get big and fancy.  Most of the lake is surrounded by trees and since it is stocked with gamefish, a daytime picnic visit may end up turning into an eagle spotting adventure. Eagles can be seen perched on fence posts in the agricultural areas on the way to this park. The ancient pueblos of Mesa Verde are right next door and those civilizations revered the spirit of the eagle. If you want to get a picture of an eagle, the chances will be better than average.