The best camping near Highline Lake State Park

With two separate lakes, the park is a mecca for water activities. Enjoy motor boating, water skiing, jet skiing, paddling, swimming, and fishing on Highline Lake, or opt for a quieter experience on the smaller, non-motorized Mack Mesa Lake. Surrounding the lakes are several hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as easy access to world-class mountain biking. In winter, enjoy hunting, ice fishing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. The park is also an important bird area.

• Best for amenities: Bookcliff Campground offers sites with grills, fire rings, and picnic tables, plus a year-round camper services building.
• Best for tent campers: Three walk-in campsites (#10, 11, and 12) are available for tents only.
• Best for groups: The Group Camping Area offers space for up to 100 tent campers.

1. Those planning to spend the night should make plans early, as only 36 basic campsites are available for RVs and tent campers.
2. During peak season, make a reservation as soon as you know your dates. All campsites require a reservation, which can be made up to six months in advance up until the same day.
3. If you’re traveling light, go for one of the walk-in, tent-only campsites.
4. If your plans are flexible, try to visit the year-round park during the week, during non-holiday periods, or in winter.

The park is busiest in summer. Highline Lake is open to boating between March 1 and September 30, weather permitting, while the swim beach is open from the second weekend of May through September. Visit in fall for trout fishing, and winter for birdwatching and ice fishing on Mack Mesa Lake. Small-game hunting is permitted in designated areas between the Tuesday following Labor Day and the Friday before Memorial Day, only Monday through Friday.

• Mack Mesa Lake is only open to electric or hand-powered boats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks. All boats, including paddleboards and kayaks, must have life jackets. Loaners are available from the visitor center.
• Pets are not allowed at the swim beach—a designated pet swimming area can be found near the east boat ramp. 
• Hunters may only hunt waterfowl from the blinds, and may only use shotguns for small game hunting. All hunters must register at the west entrance and have appropriate licenses.  

• Accessible facilities include the day-use area restrooms, camper services building, group picnic area, wildlife overlook, the Mack Mesa Lake fishing pier, and campsite #25. 
• Ice and firewood are available for purchase at the campground.