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.
Fishing in Colorado
Residents ages 16 and older must obtain a permit to fish in Colorado. Colorado's Free Fishing Weekend is the first weekend in June each year. For the 2024 season, residents may fish without a permit throughout Colorado from June 1.
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.
Daily Fees: $10-$15 entry fee per vehicle; save with an annual pass. The watercraft access pass is $20.
Bear Creek Lake Park
15600 W. Morrison Rd., Lakewood
Photo Credit: Beth Marketos
Summer Hours (May-September): 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
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 per vehicle; save with an annual pass. Camping starts at $35 per night.
Boulder Reservoir
5565 N. 51st St., Boulder
Photo Credit: Meredith Lux
Summer Hours:
• April 1-May 23: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
• May 24-September 2: 6:00 AM–9:00 PM
Amenities: Boating, fishing, paddle boarding, 5.3-mile loop trail for multi-use. Swimming is permitted in the designated swim area while a lifeguard is on duty during established hours from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Daily Fees: Children $7.25 | Adults $12
Carter Lake
4011 S. County Rd. 31, Loveland
Photo Credit: grfx4 from Pixabay
Summer Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 PM
Amenities: Fishing, sailing, water skiing, camping, rock climbing, swimming, accessible activities, picnicking, scuba diving. Dogs are allowed.
Daily Fees: $10 per vehicle, $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
Summer Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM*
*24-Hour access for campers, active fishermen with valid fishing licenses, and anyone 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 per vehicle; save with an annual pass. Camping starts at $36 per night.
Cherry Creek Reservoir
4201 S. Parker Rd., Aurora
Photo Credit: Christen Reiner, Publisher of Macaroni KID Lakewood-Littleton
Summer Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM
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 per vehicle; save with an annual pass. Camping starts at $28 per night.
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 per vehicle. Camping starts at $25 per night.
Fossil Creek Reservoir
3340 Carpenter Rd., Fort Collins
Photo Credit: Melissa Shrader, Publisher of Macaroni KID Fort Collins and Macaroni KID Loveland
Summer Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Amenities: Bird watching, hiking trails, a .25-mile paved walking loop, picnic shelters, and a .76-mile hike to a viewing area.
Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area is designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, providing 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
Amenities: Fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, water skiing, and accessible activities. Dogs are allowed.
Daily Fees: $10/vehicle, $20 for vehicle + boat trailer. Camping starts at $25 per night.
Lake Ladora at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Refuge
6550 Gateway Rd., Commerce City
Photo Credit: Debra Jaramillo
Summer Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
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: Fishing is $3 for ages 16+. High school and college students with valid IDs fish fee-free.
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: Fishing is $3 for ages 16+. High school and college students with valid IDs fish fee-free.
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 by reservation only; 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, Fridays through Mondays, from May through October, weather permitting. 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.
Daily Fees: $10-$12/vehicle. $5/watercraft. $8/boat trailer. $2/bicycle or walk-in.
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