Colorado Lake Boating

It may still be winter, however, it’s never too early to start planning your first outing on the big beautiful lakes of Colorado. Here is a list for you to be reminded of or find something new for you and the whole family! Remember if there’s anything you need to be serviced on your boat or RV seek out your local service center before you start any journey.

Grand Lake

The largest natural lake in Colorado sits outside the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park in a town of the same name, with a boardwalk, marina and lots of family fun and events each year.

Chatfield Reservoir

One of the most popular lakes near Denver, Chatfield Reservoir in Littleton bustles with swimmers, sailors, fishers, campers, horseback riders and bird watchers.

Lake Dillon

Summit County is known worldwide for its skiing, but the joys of this high-country paradise aren’t confined to the slopes. On Lake Dillon, a massive reservoir lined with pines and studded with islands, boaters rejoice in the beautiful views and fresh air.

Boulder Reservoir

This 700-acre recreation hotspot boasts fun events all summer long, a popular swim beach, water skiing, fishing and spectacular views of Boulder’s famous Flatiron Mountains

Prospect Lake

Admire silhouettes of the foothills in the distance at this lake in Colorado Springs’ Memorial Park, a lovely place for swimming, boating and picnicking on a warm summer’s day.

Lake Granby

In Colorado’s Middle Park area between Winter Park and the town of Grand Lake, and with spectacular Continental Divide views, Granby is another of the state’s largest lakes and popular with trout, salmon and ice fishers.

Horsetooth Reservoir

On Horsetooth’s six and a half miles of water near Fort Collins, canoeists and kayakers explore hidden coves while hikers emerge from wooded areas and hogbacks to find blue waters snaking into view and the Great Plains extending to the horizon beyond.

Lake San Cristobal

Near Lake City and Creede, Lake San Cristobal is a geologic marvel amid the San Juan Mountains formed by a rare earthflow. It’s popular with boaters, campers, and fishers.

Vallecito Lake

Just 20 miles north of Durango, the town and namesake lake of Vallecito sits in a beautiful valley at 8,000 feet. A full-service marina makes getting on the water a cinch.

McPhee Lake

Part of the McPhee Recreation area outside of Cortez, the lake’s nearly 2,500 surface acres and 50 miles of shoreline sits in a beautiful river canyon and supports warm- and cold-water fish.

Grand Mesa Lakes

Colorado’s Grand Mesa is home to more than 300 lakes and reservoirs perfect for finding your own private water hideaway near the towns of Grand Junction, Paonia, Delta, Cedaredge, and Hotchkiss.

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Driving Hwy. 50 west of Gunnison, you’ll eventually ask the question, “Does this reservoir ever come to an end?” In fact, it’s the largest body of water in the state, with many-fingered coves and narrow tributaries.

Colorado state parks lakes

The 41 Colorado State Parks is one of best places to start when looking for boating and other lake activities, check out these locations in the areas you plan to visit:

Denver region:

• Cherry Creek Reservoir • Staunton Lake

Front Range region:

• Barr Lake • Boyd Lake • St. Vrain

Northwest region:

• Elkhead • Harvey Gap • Highline • James M. Robb Colorado River • Pearl Lake • Rifle Gap • Stagecoach • State Forest • Sylvan Lake • Vega • Yampa River

Northeast region:

• Jackson Lake • North Sterling

Southeast region:

• John Martin Reservoir • Lake Pueblo • Lathrop • Trinidad Lake

Southwest region:

• Crawford • Mancos • Navajo • Paonia • Ridgway • Sweitzer Lake

South Central region:

• Arkansas Headwaters • Eleven Mile • San Luis  • Spinney Mountain

There is more!

Colorado is also home to the headwaters for some of the nation’s mightiest rivers. So, do some more internet seeking on Colorado rivers, beaches, lodging, and fishing hot spots. On your favorite search engine, use some keywords as, Lakes in Colorado, and you will find more links to more exciting Colorado favorites.