There are two shelters located in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of the park. Shelter A accommodates 150 people shelter B accommodates 100 people. Both are next to the Uncompahgre River offering an ideal setting to celebrate weddings, family reunions, company picnics and parties of all kinds. You can rent one or both for an event. The Overlook is available year-round for weddings, check with park for seasonal hours. The shelters are available May thru September.

There are also three smaller Group Picnic Areas that are available on a 'first come first served' basis or reserved for a small fee by camping groups in the park.

Mears Bay Trail
This is a roughly level universally-accessible one-mile concrete trail that winds along the shoreline of Mears Bay in the Dutch Charlie area. Waterfowl such as Western grebe, Canada geese and great blue heron can be seen here during the more quiet hours of the day. Enjoy beautiful views of the San Juan Mountains reflected in the bay.

Marmot Run Trail
Located in the Dallas Creek Day Use area, this 1.8-mile universally-accessible trail runs along the east shore of the Uncompahgre River and the Ridgway Reservoir. The trail was named for the large number of marmots that live at its southern end, and connects the south end of Ridgway State Park to the town of Ridgway four miles away. It is a perfect trail to observe waterfowl and wildlife along the riverbanks and lakeshore and there are picnic sites and restrooms conveniently located along the way.

Enchanted Mesa Trail
This is the longest and most physically challenging trail in the park, but it is arguably the most beautiful. It runs along the western side of Enchanted Mesa, a beautiful flat top pasture that harbors Mule deer and elk. This 2.5-mile trail is the only non-motorized link between the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area on the north side of the park and the Dutch Charlie area. The trail offers spectacular views of the Ridgway Reservoir as well as of the Sneffels and Cimarron ranges of the San Juan Mountains. Yuccas and cactus bloom along the trail in the spring. Trailheads exist on both the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk and Dutch Charlie via Mears Bay Trail sides of the trail as alternate access points to reduce the overall length of the trail.

Cookie Tree Trail
This steep, one-mile long trail was named for the Cookie Tree Ranch which was flooded by the creation of Ridgway Reservoir in 1989. The trail links the Dutch Charlie area of the park to the Dallas Creek Day Use area. Cookie Tree offers great views of the San Juan Mountains and of the Ridgway Reservoir. Given its dry southern exposure, this trail is also a good place to see prickly pear and claret cup cacti bloom in May and June. The trail connects to Marmot Run Trail in Dallas Creek and to Wapiti and Pinyon Park Trails in Dutch Charlie.

Birding enthusiasts can explore diverse habitats, including riparian areas, forests, and reservoir shores. Common sightings include waterfowl like ducks and geese; raptors such as bald eagles and ospreys; plus various songbirds. Migratory patterns enrich the variety with species like warblers during spring and fall transitions. The park offers designated trails for birdwatchers to observe these birds in their natural environment.

Please note that specific species may vary by season or year-to-year changes in habitat conditions within the area.