What is the Largest State Park in Mesa County, Colorado?

Mesa County, Colorado is home to 3 of Colorado's 43 state parks. There's the desert oasis that is Highline Lake State Park, The James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (5 sections), and Vega State Park located on the Grand Mesa.

Read More: A Popular Western Colorado State Park Has Sad News For Boaters

Keep reading to find out which one of these Western Slope State Parks is the largest, and home to some of the largest fossils found on the Grand Mesa.

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How Big Is Mesa County's Largest State Park?

Mesa County's largest State Park is located at an elevation of about 7,696 feet on Colorado's Grand Mesa. Vega State Park consists of a whopping 1,823 acres making it the largest one in Mesa County, yet it's nowhere near as large as State Forest State Park (Walden, Co) at 70,000 acres.

Vega Reservoir was part of an inland sea in the Paleozoic era, and the fossilized remains of giant sea turtles can sometimes be found around the park.

Visiting Vega State Park

The most common way to drive to Vega State Park from Grand Junction will take you up the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (Highway 65) to the town of Collbran. Drivers should expect lower speed limits through some of the small mountain towns en route to the lake, and traffic including several campers, RVs, and vehicles towing boats might reduce your trip to a crawl at times. Pack extra patience as the park is well worth the trip.

Camping at Vega State Park

Vega State Park offers 5 rental cabins, 75 seasonal campsites, and 34 campsites with electrical hookups. The park includes 3 boat ramps, showers, and 27 picnic areas.