A look at Harvey Gap State Park near Glenwood Springs:

Description: Fishing dominates the activity of this day-use park on the Western Slope, with a 190-acre reservoir sitting 6,500 feet high in woodlands of cedar and sagebrush. In the warm months, sailing, canoeing and swimming are popular, and so is picnicking in the shade of cottonwoods along the shore, lined by the dramatic ridge that is the Grand Hogback. Other than ice fishing, winter visitors might go to the park to snowshoe or cross-country ski.

Activities: Fishing, nonmotorized boating, swimming, waterfowl hunting, cross-country skiing/snowshoeing, bird watching.

Wildlife: Tiger muskie, bass, catfish, northern pike, rainbow trout, perch, crappie; mule deer, coyotes, raccoons, rabbits, chipmunks and squirrels; variety of songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.

Fun fact: The park is named for John Harvey, a rancher who in 1882 started prospecting for coal in the area.

Address: 5775 Colorado 325, Rifle, 81650

Contact: 970-625-1607, rifle.gap.park@state.co.us

Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Directions: Off Interstate 70 west, take exit 90 for Rifle/Meeker. In a quarter-mile, turn right onto Taughenbaugh Boulevard, which becomes Colorado 13. Follow for about 3 miles and turn right on Colorado 325. Park entrance will be to the right in about 5 miles.

SETH BOSTER, THE GAZETTE