Lathrop State Park is a Colorado state park located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Walsenburg. The state purchased the property in 1962 and opened Colorado's first state park here later that same year.[2] It is named after Harold Lathrop, the first director of state parks.[3] The park features two lakes, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, that offer fishing for tiger muskie (46-inch, 25-pound examples have been caught here), rainbow trout, bass, catfish, northern pike, blue gill, saugeye, and wipers.[4]
The park also offers a beach, boating, water skiing, wind surfing, jet skiing, picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, camping, and a nine-hole golf course.[5]
Lathrop is the only Colorado state park with its own golf course.[6] The Walsenburg Golf Course was founded in 1965 and after two years of construction opened in 1967.[2] It was built by 50 Walsenburg citizens and many local volunteers in a public/private partnership.[citation needed] The course's restaurant/lounge overlooks the lakes and the National Natural Landmark Spanish Peaks.
Over 153,000 visitors passed through Lathrop State Park in 2021, the latest year for which figures are available.[1]
References
- ^ a b "Colorado State Parks Region Annual Visitation Report" (PDF). Colorado Counties, Inc. 2023.
- ^ a b Christofferson, Nancy (June 30, 2011). "Golfing in the 'burg, 1930 on". Huerfano World Journal. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ "Lathrop State Park History". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ "Fishing at Lathrop State Park". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ "Activities at Lathrop". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
- ^ "Lathrop State Park". Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
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