{"id":54024,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54024","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54024"],"author":"50","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-14 12:39:19","date_utc":"2025-12-14 17:39:19","modified":"2025-12-19 10:07:14","modified_utc":"2025-12-19 15:07:14","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/volunteer-vacation-trip\/experience-the-hidden-colorado-gem-of-trinidad-lake-with-modern-camping-amenities\/","rest_url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-json\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/54024","title":"Experience the Hidden Colorado Gem of Trinidad Lake with Modern Camping Amenities","description":"

Explore southeastern Colorado\u2019s hidden gem. Between Fishers Peak mesa and the Spanish Peaks, at the edge of the Rockies, you’ll find a rare trifecta of historical landmarks, a vibrant arts and architecture hub, and unparalleled outdoor recreation. This blend wasn’t built overnight. It\u2019s been forged by centuries of cultures and characters \u2013 from Native American Utes and early settlers to coal miners and creatives. Nestled in the southern Colorado foothills of the Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Trinidad Lake State Park offers over 2,900 acres of serene beauty and outdoor fun.<\/p>\n

Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Trinidad Lake and its dam provide flood control, irrigation, and recreational opportunities to the Purgatoire River Valley. One of the park\u2019s big claims to fame: It\u2019s home to the KT Boundary, the geological line marking the end of the Mesozoic era of dinosaurs and the dawn of the Cenozoic period.<\/p>\n

Hike, jog, bike, or horseback ride on 10 miles of trails, where you’ll encounter native plants, lush vegetation, and in some spots, Indian ruins and mining relics. Your trail companions might include mule deer, elk, cottontail rabbits, broad-tailed hummingbirds, and even great blue herons.<\/p>\n

Trinidad Lake is ideal for boating, waterskiing, and other watersports. Anglers can cast for rainbow and brown trout, bass, channel catfish, walleye, saugeye, crappie, bluegill, perch, and wipers. Practice at the archery range, or during legal seasons, hunt in posted areas of the park.<\/p>\n

Volunteers will complete trail maintenance, restoration, and rerouting\/building of two short sections of new trail. Common tools on the crew are shovels, rakes, McLouds, pick-adze, loppers, handsaws, and tampers. Volunteers will hike two miles in uneven terrain with 20lbs at an elevation of 6300′, and perform manual labor in variable, semi-arid weather conditions.<\/p>\n

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation!\u00a0<\/b>Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it\u2019s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Avg. Temperature:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of around 75\u201380\u00b0F and lows of 45\u201350\u00b0F. Mid-September in southern Colorado at this elevation brings warm days, cool nights, and generally light, infrequent showers.<\/p>\n

Sample Schedule: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 1: Arrival<\/p>\n

Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time\/place TBD)<\/p>\n

Day 2: Work Day<\/p>\n

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM<\/p>\n

Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.<\/p>\n

Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.<\/p>\n

Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.<\/p>\n

After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of\u00a0 time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.<\/p>\n

Day 3: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)<\/p>\n

Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike,\u00a0 tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.<\/p>\n

Day 5: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 6: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 7: Departure<\/p>\n

Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.<\/p>\n

Land Acknowledgement:<\/strong><\/p>\n

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Lipan Apache, Comanche, Ute, and Jicarilla Apache people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.<\/p>","excerpt":"","slug":"experience-the-hidden-colorado-gem-of-trinidad-lake-with-modern-camping-amenities","image":{"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/trini-6.jpg","id":54331,"extension":"jpg","width":720,"height":960,"filesize":79466,"sizes":{"medium":{"width":550,"height":733,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":49451,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/trini-6-550x733.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"width":300,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":11686,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/trini-6-300x300.jpg"}}},"all_day":true,"start_date":"2026-09-13 00:00:00","start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"13","hour":"00","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"end_date":"2026-09-19 23:59:59","end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"19","hour":"23","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"utc_start_date":"2026-09-13 04:00:00","utc_start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"13","hour":"04","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"utc_end_date":"2026-09-20 03:59:59","utc_end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"09","day":"20","hour":"03","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"timezone":"America\/New_York","timezone_abbr":"EDT","cost":"","cost_details":{"currency_symbol":"","currency_code":"","currency_position":"","values":[]},"website":"","show_map":true,"show_map_link":true,"hide_from_listings":false,"sticky":false,"featured":false,"categories":[],"tags":[],"venue":{"id":54025,"author":"50","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-14 12:39:19","date_utc":"2025-12-14 17:39:19","modified":"2026-01-14 09:50:49","modified_utc":"2026-01-14 14:50:49","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/trinidad-lake-state-park\/","venue":"Trinidad Lake State Park","slug":"trinidad-lake-state-park","address":"32610 State Hwy. 12","city":"Trinidad","country":"United States","state":"CO","zip":"81082","stateprovince":"CO","json_ld":{"@type":"Place","name":"Trinidad Lake State Park","description":"","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/trinidad-lake-state-park\/","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"32610 State Hwy. 12","addressLocality":"Trinidad","addressRegion":"CO","postalCode":"81082","addressCountry":"United States"},"telephone":"","sameAs":""},"show_map":true,"show_map_link":true,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54025","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54025"]},"organizer":[{"id":54397,"author":"35","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-16 16:29:25","date_utc":"2025-12-16 21:29:25","modified":"2025-12-16 16:29:25","modified_utc":"2025-12-16 21:29:25","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/host\/trinidad-trail-alliance\/","organizer":"Trinidad Trail Alliance","slug":"trinidad-trail-alliance","json_ld":{"@type":"Person","name":"Trinidad Trail Alliance","description":"","url":"","telephone":"","email":"","sameAs":""},"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54397","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54397"]}],"custom_fields":{"_ecp_custom_3":{"label":"Project Rating","value":"Moderate"},"_ecp_custom_4":{"label":"Trip Accommodations","value":"Car Camping Tent Sites"},"_ecp_custom_5":{"label":"Accommodations Description","value":"Trinidad Lake State Park offers electric hookup campsites at the Carpios Ridge Campground. Community water hydrants with potable water are available. There is a camper services building with showers, laundry and flush toilets. Universally accessible facilities are available at the Carpios Ridge Campground. Lake access is available by hiking trail from the campground. Cooking is at fire pits at each campsite. There is a dishwashing station available at the camper services building. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; towels; and personal cup, bowl, mug, and eating utensils."},"_ecp_custom_6":{"label":"Area and Attractions","value":"Put your boots (or bring your own mountain bike!) on the ground of Colorado\u2019s newest \u2013 and 2nd largest \u2013 state park that spans 19,200 acres! The park\u2019s namesake, Fishers Peak, looms at 9,633 feet. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of the park\u2019s 20+ miles of new trail and learn about the master plan sustainability concept behind it. Other offerings will include a kayaking tour of Trinidad Lake, a beginner archery experience, and shore fishing (with a valid Colorado fishing license). Equipment provided for kayaking, archery, and fishing will be provided. Optional side trips on your own, or with coordination with your hosts, the Trinidad Trails Alliance, include visiting the historic downtown and additional hiking at the Wormhole Trails. "},"_ecp_custom_9":{"label":"Minimum Age","value":"18"},"_ecp_custom_10":{"label":"Maximum Group Size","value":"8"},"_ecp_custom_11":{"label":"Travel Details","value":"Colorado Springs Airport in Colorado Springs, CO is the closest airport. Airport pickup is available. Scheduled pickup time is 11am on September 13. Scheduled drop-off time is 1pm on September 19."},"_ecp_custom_23":{"label":"Project Access","value":"Volunteers will drive to the worksite on five miles of mostly paved roads. Host staff will provide transportation"},"_ecp_custom_32":{"label":"Hike Type","value":"Day Hiking"},"_ecp_custom_33":{"label":"Registration URL","value":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/civicrm\/event\/register\/?id=385&reset=1"},"_ecp_custom_34":{"label":"Trip Length","value":"Full (week long)"},"_ecp_custom_37":{"label":"Volunteer Age","value":"Adults age 18 and up"}},"json_ld":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Event","name":"Experience the Hidden Colorado Gem of Trinidad Lake with Modern Camping Amenities","description":"<p>Explore southeastern Colorado\u2019s hidden gem. 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