Ridgway State Park - Colorado State Parks

09/06/2026

Colorado’s bears are hungry. That does not mean you should feed them.

Right now bears are looking to pack on the calories ahead of winter –– and those calories need to come from their natural, wild food sources. The historic drought is having an impact on their naturally available food sources, but wild bears need wild food. Not people food. Or even “wild” food courtesy of people.

They need wild food they get on their own.

Bears, people and food do not mix well. We understand concern for our state’s wildlife and this is a unique year, but supplemental feeding of bears is illegal, dangerous and does much more harm than good in both the short and long term.

Feeding bears teaches them to become less wary of humans, which can be dangerous. It also ruins their natural instincts of how to forage and prepare for winter on their own, which can hurt them this year, and well into the future.

This also doesn’t just apply to your backyard. This goes for the backcountry as well. Bears are incredibly adept at noticing an increase in human activity in the woods. If that activity is associated with an easy meal, those bears will seek out more human activity (like going to the nearest town) rather than staying in the backcountry.

The list of reasons to not feed bears goes on. Don’t be the reason a bear loses the “wild” part of being wildlife. Their instincts have been sharpened over thousands of years. Do not be the one who ruins them –– choose to be part of the solution and preserve those instincts.

To learn more please visit our website: https://cpw.state.co.us/news/08282026/editorial-want-help-starving-bears-dont-feed-them

09/03/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ouray County RESCINDS Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, reinstates Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following activities are prohibited:

All personal fireworks.
Any fire not contained within a permanently constructed fire-pit, fire-ring, or grate on public or private land.
Smoking outdoors in areas that are not cleared of combustible materials.
Agricultural burning.
Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame unless conducted in a cleared area at least 10 feet in diameter and with a pressurized chemical fire extinguisher immediately available.
Operating internal combustion engines, such as chainsaws, without a properly installed and maintained spark-arresting device.
Target shooting with explosive targets.
The following activities remain permitted under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

Fires in permanent fire pits or fire rings at private residences and within developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and picnic areas.
Fire features, chimineas, and tiki torches at private residences when supervised by a responsible adult. Use of liquid-fuel or gas-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices. Target shooting conducted in a safe manner (excluding explosive targets).

Please be advised that penalties for violating the fire ban include: Class-2 petty offense with fines ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the number of offenses. If a fire causes damage to another individual’s property, additional criminal charges may apply. These fire restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.

Violations of these restrictions can be reported to the Ouray County Sheriff's Office at 970-325-7272 or by calling WestCo Dispatch at 970-249-9110.

For more fire-related information on Colorado’s Western Slope please visit: http://www.westslopefireinfo.com/

Community members and visitors are encouraged to sign-up for Emergency Notifications through Ouray County Alerts: https://ouraycountyco.gov/434/Emergency-Notifications

09/02/2026

Join us for Bird Banding Day!

09/01/2026

Buckle up, stargazers! We're on a quest for Dark Sky certification! 🚀

You may have noticed that the lights around the park are hitting a little differently this year. That's on purpose! We're working hard with our friends in neighboring communities as we aim to reduce our nighttime footprint.

Enjoy these are pictures from our most recent night gazing event held by our wonderful and talented, Naturalist and volunteers. 🤟

You can find more events at our park on our website at: https://cpw.state.co.us/events?f%5B0%5D=state_parks%3A186

08/31/2026

https://coloradooutdoorsmag.com/2026/08/27/colorado-outdoors-podcast-episode-3-6-adaptive-make-a-wish-adventure/?fbclid=IwY2xjawT-fUlwZG9mBWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXk4bkRDZmJET0hPUFp4RkxzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe0omWTG96a4MGTS8PMyPcV5pyx-6_gHiOT-x-0YfybusqCYaQckgSRAbscyo_aem_QvXJd4EqKnKlmAkJkgPIIQ

Learn more about how CPW strives to offer recreational and sporting opportunities for children and adults of all ability levels.

08/30/2026

Notice anything besides our team's exhausted faces? 😴 We've been working hard to add some much-needed seating around the park! You can find new tables, shade structures, and benches all around the park... Because let's be real, we needed a place to sit too! 😅

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

Need an extra life jacket this weekend? 🛟

Did you know you can borrow a life jacket for FREE from one of our Life Jacket Loaner Stations here at the park? Life jackets are available for both kids and adults, so you can get the right fit for everyone in your group.

📍 At Ridgway State Park, you’ll find three life jacket loaner stations:
• Bayview Day Use Area (entrance to shoreline)
• Boat Ramp
• Mear’s Bay Day Use Parking Area

Looking for a loaner station near you? Find a BoatUS Foundation Life Jacket Loaner Site here:
👉 boatus.org/child-life-jacket-loaners/

Remember: Colorado law requires recreational vessels to have a properly sized, wearable PFD on board for each person. Children 12 years old and younger must wear a PFD at all times while on the water.

Whether you're boating, paddling, or just enjoying the lake, wear your life jacket and stay safe out there! Have fun on the water! 🌊☀️

08/24/2026

Did you know that bears consumer 20,000 calories EACH DAY?

Bears are hungry and currently on the hunt for high-calorie food as they begin to fatten up for fall. As drought conditions limit natural foods, you may see more bears seeking food. Do your part in minimizing human-bear conflicts!

🗑️Put away all bird food and hummingbird feeders.
🗑️Use a bear-resistant trash container if available to you.
🗑️Make sure trash can lids tightly closed and latched.
🗑️Never leave bags of trash outside or next to your tent, car, or trash can.
🗑️Bring empty trash cans back inside as soon as possible after collection.
🗑️Clean barbecues grills after use.
🗑️Keep all food including pet food inside.
🗑️Keep coolers secured, even if it's empty.
🐻 Give bears their space, never corner or run from a bear!

Good rule of thumb, secure all items if it has a scent (even toiletries)!

Follow this page for more information on how to be BearWise: https://bearwise.org/