One-way Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6995 - 7061 feet
Cellphone: 1-4 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Visitor Center
Fee: none
Attractions: Scenic overlook
The Overlook Point trail is in the Ridgway State Park near Ridgway, Colorado. The trail begins at the Visitor Center where it makes a gentle descent along a paved path to the overlook. From the overlook visitors are treated to stunning views of Ridgway Reservoir with the San Juan Mountain Range as a backdrop. The trail from the Visitor Center to the overlook is wheelchair accessible. Beyond the overlook a gravel path continues that connects Overlook Point with the Cookie Tree trail.
Ridgway State Park sits along Highway 550 about 6 miles north of the town of Ridgway and 22 miles south of Montrose. The Visitor Center is located just inside the park west of the fee station. From the Visitor Center you can access the Overlook Point, Forest Discovery Nature trail, Cookie Tree, Mule Deer Meadow, Wapatki and Pinyon Park trails. All of these trails are pet friendly and open to both hiking and mountain biking.
The paved trail is wheelchair accessible and is well lit for those seeking an evening adventure.
After a passing rain shower a thick aroma from the pinyon pines will fill the air and enliven your senses.
The hillsides around Ridgway Reservoir are quite rugged but the State Park Service has done a wonderful job engineering the trail so that visitors can enjoy all of the rugged beauty with a minimal amount of effort.
Overlook Point is well protected from the drop off of the cliff above the reservoir but parents will still want to keep their energetic children close at hand. You will notice that there is a drinking fountain located at the overlook making water available during the warmer months.
Amphitheatre type seating is there to accommodate Ranger led programs that take place during the summer.
As you look over the tail end of the reservoir, where it is fed by the waters of the Uncompahgre River, the San Juan Mountains fill the background. The ridgeline here is all above 13,000 feet with Mt. Sneffels (14,157 ft.), on the left, being the highpoint.
More of the reservoir can be seen looking toward the north but there is a huge portion of it that is still out of view.
For those wishing to continue a little further they will have to do so without the aid of the pavement and the protection of the guardrail.
After a short distance the trail eventually ends at its junction with the Cookie Tree trail. Going to the left at this point the Cookie Tree trail makes a beautiful descent down to the reservoir where it comes to an end in the Dallas Creek Area of the park. The trail to the right connects with the Wapatki and Pinyon Park trails and can also be used to return to the Visitor Center and campgrounds. Overlook Point is another trail at Ridgway State Park that reminds visitors there is more to do here than just boating and fishing. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.
