Colorado’s Favorite State Park for 2026 Might Surprise You

While the rest of the nation was filling out brackets and watching the NCAA tournaments in March, Colorado was voting through brackets filled with state parks worthy of being called “best in 2026.”

While the Western Slope is home to several worthy entries, the winner did not come from this side of the Continental Divide, nor the Front Range. The winner was down south. Before we celebrate the winning park, it’s worth taking a look at how difficult a decision this is each year.

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Why Lathrop State Park Won Colorado’s Favorite Park Vote

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The winner of Colorado’s Best State Park bracket came down to Lathrop State Park vs Roxborough State Park. Lathrop in Walsenburg, Colorado, was voted the winner. Did you know that Lathrop State Park, established in 1962, is actually the oldest state park in Colorado? It was first in a long line of beautiful state parks over the years, and it proves that sometimes nothing beats the original.

The Water Activities Draw Visitors to Southern Colorado

Lathrop State Park is twice as nice with two lakes (Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake) offering kayaking, fishing, paddleboarding, swimming, and boating. It’s a go-to destination during summer break with family-friendly beaches and plenty of trout, bass, catfish, walleye, and tiger muskie (46-inch, 25-pounders are talked about here). Lathrop is Colorado’s only state park to boast its own golf course. Dogs on a leash are allowed, and so are class 1 & 2 rated e-bikes.

The Mountain Views Keeping Lathrop All Over Social Media

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The Spanish Peaks of southern Colorado are a beautiful sight to take in from Lathrop State Park, and they are probably the most popular answer as to why this park is all over social media. Sunrise and sunset photos have helped to turn this park into one of the state’s most photographed places and most popular destinations for campers and RV travelers in search of quieter scenery.