Eleven Mile State Park
A Multi-Generational Colorado Wilderness Experience
Escape the City, Embrace the Wild
Seven nights under star-filled skies at 8,600 feet. No cell towers. No traffic. Just mountains, water, family, and the kind of quiet that reminds you what matters.
This guide is your complete companion for planning an unforgettable family adventure at Eleven Mile State Park—whether you’re a grandparent seeking peaceful mornings by the reservoir, a parent looking to share the outdoors with your kids, a teenager wanting some real adventure, or a little one about to catch their first fish.
The Destination
Eleven Mile State Park sits in South Park, an expansive high-altitude grassland basin in central Colorado. The park is bordered on two sides by Pike National Forest, with views of Pikes Peak, the Tarryall Range, and the snow-capped Continental Divide.
The 3,400-acre reservoir has surrendered some of the largest fish ever caught in Colorado. The surrounding 7,572 acres of land offer everything from easy shoreline walks to backcountry camping adventures.
Elevation: 8,600 feet
Location: Lake George, Colorado (about 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs)
Season: June–July (peak summer)
What Makes This Trip Special
For Grandparents
Comfortable RV camping with electrical hookups, flush toilets, and hot showers. Morning coffee watching the sunrise over the reservoir. Afternoon naps while the grandkids explore. Evening card games under the awning. And maybe, just maybe, landing a trophy trout.
For Parents
The chance to show your children what life looks like without screens. Campfire cooking, stargazing, teaching them to bait a hook or read a trail. Plus enough planned activities to keep everyone engaged—and enough downtime to actually relax.
For Teens & Young Adults
Real challenges: the Manitou Incline’s 2,744 steps, backcountry camping, kayaking across the reservoir, and catching fish that fight back. Instagram-worthy landscapes and the kind of stories you’ll tell for years.
For Kids
Catching tadpoles, skipping rocks, roasting marshmallows, spotting wildlife, playing in the dirt, and staying up past bedtime to see the Milky Way for the first time.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trip Duration | 7 nights / 8 days |
| Best Season | June–July |
| Elevation | 8,600 feet |
| Campsites | 326 total (RV sites with electric available) |
| Max per Site | 6 people, 2 vehicles |
| Quiet Hours | 10 PM – 6 AM |
| Nearest Town | Lake George (5 min) |
| Nearest Hospital | Woodland Park (40 miles east) |
How to Use This Guide
Planning Phase (2–3 months before)
- Read Pre-Trip Preparation for altitude acclimation and packing
- Review Reservation Strategy and book campsites
- Check What to Bring for complete gear lists
Road Trip
- Use Road Trip Entertainment to survive the drive with all ages
At the Park
- Follow the 7-Day Itinerary for a balanced schedule
- Dive into activity guides for Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, and more
Day Trips
- Explore Manitou Incline, Garden of the Gods, and other nearby adventures
The Bottom Line
This isn’t a vacation. It’s a week of living differently—waking with the sun, eating food that tastes better because you’re hungry and outside, solving problems without Google, and talking to each other without competing with notifications.
Your kids might complain about the lack of WiFi. Your parents might worry about being far from a hospital. You might wonder if it’s worth the effort.
It is.
Reservation Alert: Campsites at Eleven Mile book up fast for summer weekends. For a 7-night stay requiring multiple RV sites, begin booking 6 months in advance through CPW Shop.