Banner: Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region
Reclamation Home             Regional Offices             Newsroom             Library             Dataweb

Major Recreation Sites in Colorado

Bonny Reservoir:

food nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  maps available  public facilities  boatramps  swimming  hiking/nature trails  disabled angler facilities  canoeing  information center

30010 County Road 3, Idalia, CO 80735. Phone 970-354-7306 for Howard Paul, on-site Park Manager. The reservoir is administered by USBR's Kansas-Nebraska Projects Office, (308) 389-4622. Located 20 miles northwest of Burlington, CO. Nearest highway, U.S. 385. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, wipers(white bass/striped bass hybrids), white bass, and channel catfish. Reservoir has approximately 2,095 surface acres. Fishing season is year-round. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. See also Colorado State Park at Bonny. For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Carter Lake:

lodging nearby  food nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing

Recreation managed by Larimer County Parks Department, 1800 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland CO 80537; (970) 679-4570. Developments include 5 campgrounds with 151 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina located at the north end of the lake. A concession for members only (Sail Club) is operated on the north shore of the lake. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 1,144 surface acres. Access is good. Primary recreation activities include fishing, camping, power boating, and sailing. Water levels are low in late summer because of seasonal drawdown. A hiking trail exists along the west side of the lake. Primary sport fish include rainbow trout, salmon, and largemouth bass. A public swim beach and snack bar/restaurant are available. Facilities are closed in winter because of ice and snow conditions. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.   For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

East Portal Reservoir:

lodging nearby  food nearby  primitive campsites  hiking/nature trails

Recreation managed by Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, P.O. Box 1379, Estes Park, CO 80517; 586-8191. One concession campground for overnight camping accommodates 90 campsites. A day-use picnic area is located nearby. Water surface available for recreation is 2 acres. No boating allowed. The reservoir is not managed as a fishery, but an occasional rainbow trout is caught in this regulatory reservoir. The site has a trailhead, which provides access to Rocky Mountain National Park. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information regarding East Portal Reservoir click here.

Flatiron Reservoir:

primitve campsites  public facilities

Recreation managed by Larimer County Parks Department 1800 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland, CO 80537; (970) 679-4570. One campground with 41 campsites. Access is good. Total available surface acreage for recreation is 47 acres. No boating currently allowed. Primary recreational activities include fishing and camping. Primary sport fish available are rainbow trout. Facilities and campground are closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information regarding Flatiron Reservoir click here.

Green Mountain Camp:

hiking/nature trails

Managed by Summit County Government, Planning Division, P.O. Box 68, Breckenridge, CO 80424; (303) 453-2561, ext. 115. Day-use picnic area and proposed historical interpretive complex under renovation and development by Summit County. Consists of 10 acres and four buildings, remnants of the old Bureau of Reclamation construction camp. Located downstream from Green Mountain Dam. River fishing for trout and river kayaking opportunities exist in summer. Winter closure because of ice and snow conditions. Click here for Current Reservoir Data.

Green Mountain Reservoir:

food nearby  Lodging nearby  primitive campsites  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing

Recreation is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 620, Silverthorne, CO 80498; (303) 468-5400. Recreational developments include 6 campgrounds, 208 campsites, and 2 boat-launch facilities. Good access. One swim beach. Water surface for fishing is approximately 2,125 acres. Fishing is the primary recreational activity, followed by power boating and camping. Primary sport fish available are brown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon. Campgrounds closed in winter due to snow and ice. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.  For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Horsetooth Reservoir:

food nearby  Lodging nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing  information center

Recreation managed by Larimer County Parks and Open Lands, 1800 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland, CO 80537; (970) 679-4570. Developments include 3 campgrounds, 111 campsites, and 4 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina is located at the Inlet Bay area. Concession operated for members only (Sail and Saddle Club and restaurant) is located on the east shore. A developed public swim beach located on the west side of the lake. Access good. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 1,899 surface acres. Primary recreation activities include fishing, power boating, and camping. Primary sport fish include rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, wiper, and walleye. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Lake Estes:

food nearby  Lodging nearby  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing  information center  disabled angler facilities

Recreation managed by the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, P.O. Box 1379, Estes Park, CO 80517; (303) 586-8191. Facilities include a nine-hole golf course, five picnic and associated day-use areas, and a marina. Good access to recreation areas. Water surface available for recreation is 185 surface acres. Power boating is limited, but available. Sailing opportunities. Fish species available are largely rainbow trout. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.  For more information regarding Lake Estes click here.

Lake Granby:

food nearby  Lodging nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing  information center  disabled angler facilities

Recreation facilities managed by the U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 10, CO 80446; (970) 887-4100. Developments include 260 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 7,250 surface acres. Primary recreation activities are power boating, fishing, and camping. Primary sport fish are rainbow trout, mackinaw trout, and salmon. Facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow conditions. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Mary's Lake:

food nearby  Lodging nearby  public facilities  hiking/nature trails

Recreation managed by the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, P.O. Box 1379, Estes Park, CO 80517; (303) 586-8191. A concession-developed campground accommodating 270 campsites, including both RV sites with utility hookups and tent camping sites, has been constructed adjacent to the site. Access is good. Water Surface available for recreation is approximately 42 acres. No boating is allowed. Primary recreation activities include camping, fishing, and picnicking. Primary fish species include rainbow trout. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information about Mary's Lake, click here.

Pinewood Lake:

primitive campsites  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing

Recreation managed by the Larimer County Parks Department, 1800 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland, CO 80537; (970) 679-4570. Developments include 3 campgrounds with 18 campsites and 1 boat-launch ramp. Access is good. The total available surface acreage for recreation is 97 acres. Only no-wake power boating is allowed. Primary recreational activities include fishing, camping, and boating. Primary sport fish available are rainbow trout. Facilities and campgrounds are closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.

Pueblo Reservoir:

food nearby  lodging nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing  information center

Recreation managed by the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Pueblo State Park, 640 Reservoir Rd., Pueblo, CO 81005; (719)561-9320 or (719)561-4909 . Facilities include 4 campgrounds accommodating approximately 400 campsites and associated facilities such as modern shower and rest room facilities, a recreation information center, 2 boat ramps, and 2 marina complexes. A water recreation area, downstream from Pueblo Dam, includes a swim beach and bathhouse area. A state-of-the-art fish hatchery constructed downstream from the dam. Approximately 16,500-acre wildlife lands are managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Access is good. Total water surface available for recreation is 4,646 surface acres. Primary sport fish available are largemouth and small mouth bass, walleye, rainbow,and brown trout. Nature,hiking, and bicycle trails exist as well as facilities for those with physical impairments (fishing pier available). Major activities include fishing, camping, and motorized boating. Facilities closed in winter because of ice and snow and adverse weather conditions. See Also Colorado State Park at Pueblo. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Ruedi Reservoir:

food nearby  lodging nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  canoeing

Recreation managed by the U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 948, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601; (303) 963-2266. Recreation facilities consist of 4 campgrounds accommodating 81 campsites and 2 boat-launching ramps. Surface available for recreation includes 997 acres. Primary recreation activities include camping, motorized boating, sailing, and fishing. Access is good. Game fish species available include rainbow trout, brown trout, and mackinaw trout. Facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site. For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Shadow Mountain Lake:

food nearby  lodging nearby  primitive campsites  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  swimming  canoeing

Recreation managed by the U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 10, Granby, CO 80446; (970) 887-4100. Developments include 1 campground with 80 campsites and 2 boat-launch ramps. Good access exists. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 1,346 surface acres. Primary recreational activities are camping, fishing, and power boating. Primary sport fish are brown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon. Facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow conditions. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.  For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Turquoise Lake:

food nearby  lodging nearby  primitive campsites  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  canoeing

Recreation managed by the U.S. Forest Service, 2015 North Poplar, Leadville, CO 80461; (719)486-0749. Recreation facilities consist of 8 campgrounds, accommodating 300 campsites and 2 boat-launching ramps. Surface available for recreation includes 780 acres. Primary recreation activities include camping and fishing. Fish species available include mackinaw trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.  For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Twin Lakes Reservoir:

food nearby  lodging nearby  primitive campsites  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  canoeing  Information center  disabled angler facilities

Recreation managed by the U.S. Forest Service, 2015 N. Poplar, Leadville, CO 80461; (719)486-0749. Recreation facilities consist of 2 campgrounds, accommodating approximately 100 campsites and 2 boat-launch ramps. Access is good. Surface acres available for recreation include 2,440 acres. Primary recreation activities include fishing and camping. Winter ice fishing is a popular activity. Major fish species include rainbow trout, mackinaw trout, and brook trout. Facilities are closed in winter due to ice and snow. The Mount Elbert Power Plant was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation on the north shore of Twin Lakes Reservoir. The structure is equivalent to a 14-story building, although most of the structure is below ground. A visitor's center is located on the top floor and is open to the public during the summer months, affording the opportunity to obtain information on the Fryingpan Arkansas Project, water resources, and adjoining national forest lands. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.  For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

West Portal Alva B. Adams Tunnel-Grand Lake Boat Ramp Area:

food nearby  lodging nearby  bait and tackle  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails  canoeing  Information center

Recreation managed by Grand Lake, CO 80447; (303)627-3435. Approximately 10-acre area. Facilities include a boat ramp and parking area. Natural lake adjacent to town of Grand Lake, with opportunities for power boating, sailing, and fishing. Fishing access is good. Closed in winter due to ice and snow conditions.

Willow Creek Reservoir:

food nearby  lodging nearby  primitive campsites  public facilities  boatramps  hiking/nature trails

Recreation managed by the U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 10, Granby, CO 80446; (303)887-3331. Developments include 1 campground with 35 campsites and 1 boat-launch facility. Good access exists. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 300 surface acres. Primary recreational activities are fishing, camping, and picnicking. Primary sport fish available are brown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon. Facilities and campground are closed in winter because of ice and snow. Click here for specific public facilities for this site.  For more information regarding Current Reservoir Data, click here.

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility | FOIA | Quality of Information | FAQ | Notices
DOI | Recreation.gov | USA.gov