Can you reserve a site at Emerald Lake Picnic Area?

No. Emerald Lake Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Emerald Lake Picnic Area, Colorado — sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Emerald Lake Picnic Area

Facility · Colorado ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

San Isabel National Forest (NF) · Open Access

9,988 ft

Elevation

Located about six miles down the Halfmoon Road, Emerald Lake is a day use picnic and fishing area in a shady lodgepole pine forest. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. This site is easily accessible during summer months and inaccessible during winter months. There are 10 picnic sites with tables and pedestal grills. Day use fees for each vehicle is $7.00 payable by cash, check or money order placed inside the self-service fee tube.

Typical weather

Typically 74°F in Jul, down to 34°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	34	35	41	46	58	70	74	71	65	53	42	34
Low °F	5	5	13	21	30	37	43	42	35	26	17	8
Precip in	0.4	0.6	0.7	0.8	0.9	0.7	1.7	1.6	1.1	0.8	0.5	0.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 5 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

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Common questions about Emerald Lake Picnic Area

Can you reserve a site at Emerald Lake Picnic Area?: No. Emerald Lake Picnic Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Emerald Lake Picnic Area

Elbert Creek 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Halfmoon West 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Halfmoon East 0.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lakeview Campground 4.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
White Star 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Halfmoon East Campground 0.6 mi · Campground
Whitestar Campground 4.8 mi · Campground
Leadville National Fish Hatchery 5.1 mi · Facility
Mount Massive Wilderness 5.1 mi · Facility
Twin Lakes Historic District 5.1 mi · Facility
Mount Elbert Picnic Area 5.2 mi · Facility
Whistler Point 5.5 mi · Facility

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Info Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.