Fishers Peak State Park wraps around the flat-topped, 9,633-foot landmark that towers over Trinidad and the Santa Fe Trail. One of Colorado’s newest state parks, it protects more than 19,000 acres of forest, meadows and lava-capped mesas where the southern plains meet the mountains.

Fishers Peak has guided travelers for generations, from Santa Fe Trail traders to today’s I-25 drivers. The property was bought in February 2019 through a partnership of the City of Trinidad, The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, Great Outdoors Colorado and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and CPW acquired it in April 2020 to create the state park. Only part of the park is open so far, but it already offers a day-use trailhead with parking, a drive-in picnic area and access to more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails. The park is a wildlife corridor linking prairie and mountains, home to elk, mule deer, black bears, mountain lions, more than 174 bird species and even the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.

Start with the First Look Trail for a quick view of the peak, then tackle longer routes toward the summit when the upper trails are open. The Stone Guard, Peak Approach and Summit Loop trails close every year from March 15 to July 31 to protect nesting peregrine falcons, so fall is a great time to aim for the top. Pets are not allowed anywhere in the park, and passes are sold at kiosks at the trailhead. Make it a southern Colorado road trip with a canyon hike to the dinosaur tracks at Picket Wire Canyonlands or the rebuilt adobe trading post at Bent’s Old Fort.

The park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is no public office yet, and many map apps put the mailing address in the wrong place, so follow CPW’s directions from I-25 Exit 11. Check trail closures and updates at cpw.state.co.us before you go.