One-way Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6867 - 6923 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Secret Spot
Fee: $7/vehicle
Attractions: Picnic area, fishing access
The Secret Spot trail is located in Ridgway State Park about 6 miles north of the town of Ridgway, Colorado. The trail begins near the west parking lot at the Dutch Charlie Marina and ends up along the shoreline of Mears Bay. The trail is connected by the Pinyon Park and Twin Fawn trails and provides access to a somewhat secluded picnic area and several great fishing spots.
To get to the trailhead stay to the left as you drive into the marina parking area and head to the upper parking lot. If you park in the lower lot near the restrooms and boat launch then you can take the stairs to the upper parking lot.
The trail is a well graveled hard packed path.
As the trail enters the trees the picnic area is on the right.
Each of the picnic sites includes a table and charcoal grill.
The Twin Fawn trail connects on the left as the trail passes the last of the picnic sites. The Twin Fawn trail leads up to the Elk Ridge Campground.
From there the trail angles down the grassy hillside to the shoreline.
We have fished the entire length of the shoreline from the cove near the mouth of the bay back toward the marina over the past 30-40 years and have never had trouble catching fish. Some days were slower than others but we have never been skunked.
