There's nothing like hanging out near a body of water in the summertime. The Colorado Macaroni KID publishers love visiting local reservoirs and lakes with our families. We've gathered information for some of our favorites to make your summer planning a little easier!
Many of the reservoirs and lakes listed below are open year-round. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
Advisory: Due to high moisture levels this year, some swimming and boating amenities may not be accessible yet. Check before you head out!
Fishing in Colorado
To fish in Colorado, fishing permits are required for residents ages 16 and older. Free Fishing Weekend in Colorado is the first weekend in June each year. To learn more about fishing or to purchase a season fishing pass, visit Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Aurora Reservoir
5800 Powhaton Rd., Aurora
Photo Credit: Kristin Sancaktar
Summer Hours:
- May & August: 5:30 AM–9:00 PM
- June & July: 5:00 AM–9:30 PM
Amenities: Playground, archery range, SCUBA, open water swim area, restrooms (port-o-lets), shelters, picnic tables.
Summer Fees: $15 Day Pass Saturday/Sunday/Holidays, $10 Day Pass Monday - Friday
Bear Creek Lake Park
15600 W. Morrison Rd., Lakewood
Photo Credit: Beth Marketos
Summer Hours (May-September):
- 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Swim beach: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM daily
Amenities: Hiking, picnicking, camping, fishing, boating, windsurfing, mountain or road biking, swim beach, archery range, educational programs, horseback riding, paddle sports, water skiing, and wakeboarding.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle. Save with an annual pass. Camping starts at $30 per night for annual park pass holders and $35 for those without passes.
Boulder Reservoir
5565 N. 51st St., Boulder
Photo Credit: Meredith Lux
Summer Hours:
- May 1-25: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Swim beach is closed)
- May 26-August 20: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM (Swim beach is 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
- August 21-September 4: 6:00 AM–8:00 PM (Swim beach hours will vary)
Amenities: Boating, fishing, swimming, paddle boarding, 5.3-mile loop trail for multi-use.
Daily Fees: Adults (19-59) $12 | Youth (13-15) $7.25. Discount rates are available for visitors who either live or work within the city limits of Boulder. A sustainability discount of 25% is applicable for pedestrians, cyclists, or cars with 3 or more guests.
Carter Lake
4011 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland
Photo Credit: grfx4 from Pixabay
Summer Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM. Swimming is prohibited except at the swim beach at Carter Lake at Dam 2. Swim beach hours vary. Call (970) 619-4570 for the current schedule.
NOTE: Plan to arrive before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. as the reservoir park will likely reach capacity, especially on weekends in the summer. Avoid the wait - come early or late!
Amenities: Fishing, sailing, water skiing, camping, rock climbing, swimming, accessible activities, picnicking, scuba diving. Dogs are allowed.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle. $10/boat trailer. $20 for vehicle + boat trailer. Camping starts at $25 per night.
Chatfield Reservoir
11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd., Littleton
Photo Credit: Christen Reiner, Publisher of Macaroni KID Lakewood-Littleton and Macaroni KID Downtown Denver
Summer Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM*
*24-Hour access for campers, active fishermen with valid fishing licenses, and those boating with approved lighting
Amenities: Biking, boating, camping, off-leash dog park, educational programs, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, hiking, camping, ice fishing, jet skiing, picnicking, snowshoeing, sailboarding, swimming, volleyball, model airplane flying, water skiing, wildlife viewing, and winter camping.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle. Save with an annual pass. $3/dog off-leash area pass. Camping starts at $36.
Cherry Creek Reservoir
4201 S. Parker Rd., Aurora
Photo Credit: Christen Reiner, Publisher of Macaroni KID Lakewood-Littleton and Macaroni KID Downtown Denver
Summer Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM. Expect longer waits due to the popularity of the park.
Amenities: Year-round camping, dog off-leash area (DOLA), horseback riding, shooting range, marina rentals (pontoons, deck boats, jet skis), fishing, swimming, 35 miles of multi-use trails.
Daily Fees: $11/vehicle. Save with an annual pass. $3/dog off-leash pass. Camping starts at $28.
Flatiron Reservoir
1800 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland
Photo Credit: Melissa Shrader, Publisher of Macaroni KID Fort Collins and Macaroni KID Loveland
Summer Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
Amenities: Fishing, picnicking, and family camping. Swimming and boating are not allowed here, but nearby Carter Lake offers both.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle. Camping starts at $25.
Fossil Creek Reservoir
3340 Carpenter Rd., Fort Collins
Photo Credit: Melissa Shrader, Publisher of Macaroni KID Fort Collins and Macaroni KID Loveland
Summer Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM
Amenities: Bird watching, hiking trails, .25-mile paved walking loop, picnic shelters, .76-mile hike to a viewing area.
Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area is designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. It provides crucial habitat to bald eagles, raptors, and many species of shorebirds, songbirds, and waterfowl. Dogs, bikes, and horses are not allowed at Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area.
Daily Fees: FREE entrance. FREE educational activities from June to October.
Horsetooth Reservoir
4200 W. County Rd. 38 E., Fort Collins
Photo Credit: Melissa Shrader, Publisher of Macaroni KID Fort Collins and Macaroni KID Loveland
Summer Hours (March-October): 6:00 AM–10:00 PM; The information center is open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, daily.
Note: Horsetooth Reservoir is the third busiest reservoir in the state of Colorado with an estimated million visitors a year. Plan to arrive before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. as the reservoir park will likely reach parking capacity, especially on weekends in the summer. Avoid a wait - come early or late!
Amenities: Fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, water skiing, and accessible activities. Dogs are allowed.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle. $10/boat trailer. $20 for vehicle + boat trailer. Camping starts at $25.
Lake Ladora at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Rd., Commerce City
Photo Credit: Debra Jaramillo
Summer Hours: Sunrise to Sunset; The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Amenities: 1.8-mile hiking trail, boardwalk views, bird watching, public fishing, and wading (with calf, hip, or chest waders) after Memorial Day.
Daily Fees: FREE! $3/fishing. Kids 15 and under are free. High school and college students fish fee-free with a valid ID. Enjoy free educational events throughout the year.
Lake Mary at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Rd., Commerce City
Photo Credit: Debra Jaramillo
Summer Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Amenities: Half-mile trail, bird watching, floating boardwalk, fishing pier, accessible dock, public fishing, wading (with calf, hip, or chest waders) after Memorial Day
Daily Fees: $3/fishing, Kids 15 and under are free. High school and college students fish fee-free with a valid ID.
Pinewood Reservoir
Pole Hill Rd., Loveland
Photo Credit: Melissa Shrader, Publisher of Macaroni KID Fort Collins and Macaroni KID Loveland
Summer Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
Amenities: Kayaking, camping, fishing, accessible activities, biking, camping, picnic area.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle, $20 for vehicle + boat trailer. Camping starts at $25 per night.
Prospect Lake
619 Prospect Lake Dr., Colorado Springs
Photo Credit: Nicole Hoeper
Summer Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Amenities: Paddleboards and kayaking rentals with SUP at the boathouse, swimming at (YMCA) Prospect Beach, fishing, boating*, two nearby playgrounds, tennis courts, skate park, National Firefighters Memorial, walking/biking trail.
Note: Gas-powered motorized watercraft are allowed in Prospect Lake during motorized days. Motorized days are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (non-motorized watercraft are prohibited during motorized days). Non-motorized days at Prospect Lake are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Daily Fees: FREE!
Rueter-Hess Reservoir
Rueter-Hess Reservoir (behind the Frank Jaeger Dam), Castle Rock
Photo Credit: Brenda Bushey
Summer Hours: Access to the reservoir is on a reservation-only basis; the trail is open daily from sunrise to sunset without reservations.
Amenities: Rosie Rueter Trail and Incline Challenge, recreational programming such as paddle boarding and kayaking on certain days. Future recreational opportunities may include soft-surface trails, non-motorized watercraft, and fishing.
Daily Fees: Reservoir access is $10 per vehicle on specified Paddle Days, Friday-Sunday from Memorial Day weekend through October. Reserve your spot online; walk-up reservations are not available.
Union Reservoir
461 County Rd. 26, Longmont
Photo Credit: Michele Pullo
Summer Hours: 6:00 AM–9:00 PM
Amenities: Wakeless boating, swimming, picnic areas, dog off-leash area, fishing, sailing (Union Sailing Club), windsurfing, paddleboard/kayak rentals (Rocky Mountain Paddleboard).
Daily Fees: $10-$12/vehicle. $5/watercraft. $8/boat trailer. $2/bicycle or walk-in.
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