Lathrop State Park July 3-6, 2025


Camping at Lathrop State Park: Beauty, Chaos, and Unexpected Moments

Tucked at the base of the stunning Spanish Peaks and just three miles west of the nearly abandoned town of Walsenburg lies Lathrop State Park, Colorado’s very first state park, established in 1962. Don’t let Walsenburg’s boarded-up buildings fool you—the park itself is a hidden gem. With two serene lakes (Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake) and 1,600 acres of space, it’s the kind of place that surprises you in the best way.


I managed to snag a reservation at one of the park’s 103 campsites five months in advance, and it paid off. Our site was super private, giving us plenty of room to spread out. We brought three tents, but thanks to Arlo (our enthusiastic and overly curious dog), the biggest one now has two holes. A metal crate is definitely coming with us next time.

Day One: Barking in the Bathroom

The first night, I went for a solo walk with Arlo under a sky so dark I could only see by headlamp. Of course, I had to pee. I ducked into the bathroom, took Arlo with me, and discovered the door didn’t lock. Mid-squat, a woman opened the door and Arlo, unable to see her clearly, let out a ferocious bark. The poor woman probably aged five years in a second—but I have to admit, I laughed all the way back to the campsite.

Trails, Lakes, and Cactus

Camilla and Lloyd hit the mountain bike trails—recently added to the park—and came back raving about the views and the abundance of cactus. Carly and I made the most of the lakes, swimming open water every day. Camilla even joined us once. Lathrop is the only state park I’ve been to that has an actual open water swim lane. Huge win.

Wildlife, Paddle Boards, and Game Night Fails

We saw two types of lizards—an Eastern Fence Lizard and a vibrant Eastern Collared Lizard—and even a field mouse (which Lola accidentally stepped on while tracking it). We got in some paddle boarding, and I managed a scenic run around the lake. Evenings were spent laughing around the fire and playing Taboo, where we confirmed that Connor might have many talents, but Taboo is not one of them.



The Arlo Incident

As much as Arlo loved the water, he managed to cause some drama. One afternoon, Carly accidentally let go of his leash, and he trotted over to sniff another dog. He wasn’t aggressive—just curious—but the other dog’s owner freaked out. “Get your f***ing dog out of here!” he shouted. I tried to explain, but he doubled down with, “Be better then!” A woman even got in my face, telling me to “just walk away.” And I did, but wow—some people really need to spend more time outside.

Humanity Restored

Thankfully, the good outweighed the bad. From the strangers who cheered Carly and me on while swimming, to the woman encouraging me on my run, to friendly neighbors offering firewood, we met so many kind, down-to-earth people who reminded us why camping trips like this are worth it.

Lathrop State Park gave us adventure, laughter, a few mishaps, and a reminder that even when things go sideways, the great outdoors—and good people—have a way
of bringing it all back into perspective.

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