Wahatoya State Wildlife Area
Location: From Main St. in La Veta, drive one-mile east on Moore Ave./County Road 358.
The Wahatoya State Wildlife Area with its 203-acres offers two cold-water fishing lakes each with a one-mile hiking trail. Wahatoya Lake and Dairgre Reservoir are divided by County Road 358. In 2021, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) created a connector trail and installed a pedestrian crossing to improve access between the two lakes. The fishing lakes are stocked on a regular basis. Allowed activities include fishing with flies and lures only, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Biking and horses are not allowed activities in order not to disturb wildlife.
Please Note: A valid hunting or fishing license OR SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing most state wildlife areas.
History
History: State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) offer wildlife-related recreation to the public. These parcels of SWA land are paid for by sportspeople and managed under state law by CPW employees for the benefit of wildlife. Requiring a license or SWA pass to access SWAs reinforces the primary intent of these properties, and ensures users are contributing to their maintenance which allows CPW to continue protecting wildlife habitat. Protecting our natural resources is not free. Anyone who buys a Colorado hunting or fishing license or SWA pass is contributing directly to wildlife conservation. For more information, read the frequently asked questions.
