Description: Avid anglers like to keep their destinations secret. But a secret Spinney Mountain is not, with the area’s fishing waters in South Park having one of the state’s three “Gold Medal” designations. The park, nestled along the South Platte River, hosts sanctioned fishing competitions frequently. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks the 2,500-acre reservoir with trophy-sized trout, waiting hungry in the shallows after the ice melts. To the disappointment of ice fishermen, the park closes every year typically in mid-November when the ice settles and opens back up in April. If not for the fish, go for the idyllic getaway and gorgeous views of the Collegiate Peaks. Water sports are allowed on the reservoir, and picnic areas are set up all around it.

Activities: Fishing; motor and non-motor boats; wildlife viewing and birding; big game, small game and waterfowl hunting; hiking and biking along reservoir trail

Wildlife: Cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout along with northern pike and white and longnose suckers among fish; abundance of migratory birds, including horned lark and meadowlark, mountain bluebird, black-billed magpie; deer, antelopes, red foxes, badgers, jackrabbits, coyotes

Fun fact: In the 19th century, the property where the state park now sits was a popular excursion for wildflower lovers. From Colorado Springs, people rode a train that went through Eleven Mile Canyon to the place known as Spinney – named for a local rancher, Ben Spinney – where they’d pick flowers.

Address: 4229 County Road 92, Lake George, 80827

Contact: 719-748-3401, [email protected]

Hours: During summer, sunrise to one hour after sunset. Closed from ice-on (mid-November usually) to ice-off (mid-April usually).

Directions: Take U.S. 24 west for about 60 miles. At County Road 23, turn left and follow for 3 miles. Turn right at County Road 59 and go about a mile to the park entrance.