Eleven Mile State Park sits in a high mountain valley at 8,550 feet, surrounded by granite outcroppings and pine forest, and most people in Colorado have never been there.
That is about to change for you.
The park centers on Eleven Mile Reservoir — 3,400 acres of clear mountain water that holds some of the best trophy trout fishing in the state. But fishing is only one reason to come. The landscape itself is the real attraction. Dramatic. Spacious. Quietly extraordinary in the way that places feel when they haven’t been loved to death by too many visitors.
The Fishing
Eleven Mile is legendary among Colorado anglers for trophy pike, rainbow trout, brown trout, cuttbow, and kokanee salmon. The reservoir is regularly stocked and the catch rates reflect the effort the state puts into maintaining it. Ice fishing in winter draws a dedicated community of anglers willing to drill through several feet of ice for the experience. Ice fishing shacks appear across the frozen reservoir surface on cold January mornings like a small improvised city. Bring a Colorado fishing license. Non-residents can purchase one-day licenses at the park entrance.
Beyond FishingKayaking and paddle boarding on Eleven Mile Reservoir offer a perspective on the surrounding granite landscape that no trail can provide. Rental equipment is not available at the park itself — bring your own or rent in Colorado Springs before heading up. Wildlife viewing is excellent throughout the year. Bald eagles fish the reservoir regularly. Pronghorn antelope move through the surrounding grasslands. Mule deer are a consistent presence at dawn and dusk. The shoreline trail offers several miles of walking with the reservoir on one side and the Pikes Peak massif visible to the northeast. The light on the water in late afternoon is spectacular.
Getting There
Eleven Mile State Park sits 17 minutes from Florissant and about 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs via Highway 24 and County Road 92. The drive through South Park on the way in is scenic enough to slow you down before you even arrive. A Colorado State Parks pass or day use fee is required for entry.
Where to Stay
The Den House and Perch Point Studio in Florissant put you 17 minutes from Eleven Mile — close enough for a full day at the reservoir and far enough to feel genuinely away from everything.
Book direct at thealpineeffect.com.
Ready to experience it for yourself?
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