How the Day-Use areas work, on the South Platte
Greetings Everyone!
Day-use/Picnic area Information
Along the S.Platte River there are many areas to park and launch your craft! However, there are a few things you should be aware of, as the volume of people visiting the area has grown tremendously over the last few seasons. As an employee of ExplorUS myself, I would to explain a few things about the fee based day-use areas and the public parking areas. Trailers are not permitted in the day-use areas along the river. Overnight camping is NOT permitted in the day-use areas. If you are planning to access one of the fee based areas, which are Bridge Crossing, Platte River Campground/Day use, Ouzel Campground/Day use, Scraggy View, Willow Bend, or Osprey Campground/Day use areas, be prepared to pay the $10 fee. Remember to bring cash or a check. ExplorUS does not accept credit or debit cards at this time. Each vehicle entering the parking lot will be expected to pay the $10 fee, as space in this parking lot is limited. This includes using the restrooms, stopping to inflate your floatation device, use of picnic tables and grilling areas. If you are planning to bring multiple vehicles to any of these fee based parking areas and get out of the vehicle for any period of time, you will be expected to pay the $10 fee. Allowing multiple vehicles to stop and occupy parking space without paying the $10 fee, is preventing those that are willing to pay the fee, the opportunity to do so. Refusal to pay the parking fee can result in a fine in excess of $100. The only pass accepted for free entry into the day-use areas is the seasonal pass that is sold by Explorus. The other pass that gets you 1/2 off the daily $10 fee, is the America the Beautiful, LIFETIME PASS ONLY. That includes the Senior, Veteran, or Disabled Pass only. Explorus does not honor the ANNUAL America the Beautiful Pass. Also, please keep in mind that the day-use areas and campgrounds along the river are Federal properties. This means that the State Parks Pass that you may have purchased through your car registration process does not apply. Please read the sign boards carefully, as they explain the passes that are accepted and those that are not. Along the South Platte River, from Deckers Corner to Nighthawk(Pine Creek Rd) there are 16 free public parking areas and 2 public restrooms. For up to date conditions, check out our tubing/floating page. https://discoverdeckers.com/tubing-paddle-boarding-kayaking/
