It really helps other swimmers to have a brief description of a swim spot. Beautiful scenery, close to town, and plenty of parking really make this place a Fort Collins jem. There’s no better place to get out into the sunshine and the fresh air at Horsetooth Reservoir! You can also rent many types of boats at Horsetooth, which is a popular spot for water skiing, and fishing. Located in the foothills west of Fort Collins at an elevation of 5,430 feet, Horsetooth Reservoir is 1,900 acres of water surrounded by 2,000 acres of public land. The lake is open year round to fishing. Description. Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Horsetooth Reservoir is a popular destination for exploring graffiti caves, wakeboarding, water skiing, climbing, cliff jumping, fishing and much more. ... swim … Season Schedule: Open year round Booking Window: Reservations must be made 1 Day(s) ahead of arrival and can be made up to 180 Day(s) in advance. The swim beach at South Bay is sizable as Colorado beaches go, but expect the site to become crowded through the summer, especially as temperatures soar over the weekend. Jumping. This massive body of water was originally built to direct water from the west slope to the east slope for drinking water, irrigation, and other uses. Cool off in Fort Collins during the summer with the abundant amount of water sports and activities available. The highest elevation for the water (when the reservoir is full) is 5430 feet above sea level. At 6.5 miles long, it … With more than 25 kilometers of shoreline Reservoir can be a goldmine of recreation potential. This large reservoir has excellent structure for anglers to explore. Dogs Welcome Dogs On-Leash. … Outdoor enthusiast enjoy boating, paddle boarding, fishing, and camping along Horsetooth. Horsetooth Southbay & Sunrise Swim Beaches. Horsetooth Reservoir began as a project to help divert water from the western slope to the eastern slope for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation. Horsetooth Reservoir is open year round. The county’s remaining campgrounds at Flatiron Reservoir, Pinewood Reservoir and Hermit Park will remain closed. Journey / Crossing. Please be respectful of your neighbors and other campers. About Inlet Bay Marina. For the past twenty years we have been a family owned and operated marina. There are multiple designated swim beaches for … The park is surrounded by 1,900 acres of public lands, in the foothills west of Fort Collins. But hey, our own Horsetooth Reservoir… This place has 2 boat launches and plenty of reserve camp spots and a bunch of nice boat only camping areas. Take a right on 287, North, then left on Omega, West, then left on Taft, South. Horsetooth Reservoir, including (pictured from right to left): bluegill, gizzard shad, rainbow smelt, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Water Activities. It is popular for fishing, boating, water-skiing, and camping. Alcohol is only allowed at individual campsites or on a boat - *no kegs*. Projects included the design of parking area, pavilion, day-use area and swim beaches. A popular site for diver training and recreational diving, it is open year round, and is part of Colorado's Big Thompson project. It is popular for fishing, boating, water-skiing, and camping. We had previously done the northernmost section at Reservoir Ridge Natural Area.Heading south, the Foothills Trail next travels 3 miles through Horsetooth Reservoir … While visiting the reservoir you can enjoy various water activities, hiking, camping and much more! Water temperature averages 65-70 °F (18-21 °C) in August. Things to do in Horsetooth Reservoir. Family Friendly. It is popular for fishing, boating, water-skiing, and camping. Things to do. Parks & nature. We are proud of the families that help make up the Inlet Bay Marina community. September 15, 2020 update: All Larimer County Swim Beaches are now closed. Located a short 15-minute drive from Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir was named after a rock formation that sits above the Poudre River. Horsetooth Reservoir is located West of Fort Collins. Anglers may also catch white bass, crappie, bluegill, and perch. … Sunrise Swim Beach Horsetooth Reservoir The northern branch consists of the Horsetooth Feeder Canal and tunnels which feeds water by gravity to Horsetooth Reservoir. Horsetooth Reservoir (Horsetooth) is a large reservoir in southern Larimer County, Colorado just west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado.The reservoir sits in the foothills above the town on the western side of the Dakota Hogback, which contains the reservoir along its eastern side. If you visit Fort Collins, you must check out Horsetooth Reservoir. Check In: 1:00pm Check Out: 11:00am The reservoir is typically 6.5 miles long and around 1.5 mile across. Clean, cool water, private nooks & a lot of room make this a great place to spend the whole day with friends and family and unwind, cool off, and just relax. There are 3 damns that make up the reservoir and on the east side is a road that runs the length of the reservoir. Nearby rivers, lakes, and reservoirs like the Cache la Poudre River, Horsetooth Reservoir and Riverbend Ponds provide plenty of opportunities to swim, kayak, raft, stand-up paddle board, boat and more. Results for `` Horsetooth Reservoir, day-use area and Swim beaches are closed! Sits above the Reservoir … Horsetooth Reservoir was named after a rock formation that sits above the Reservoir is Showing! Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir you visit Fort Collins anglers may also catch white bass, and camping along Horsetooth country... 287, North, then left on Omega, west, then left on Omega, west, left... In Horsetooth Reservoir was named after a rock formation that sits above the Reservoir you can all! More than 25 kilometers of shoreline Reservoir can be a goldmine of recreation.. And throw on the outskirts of Fort Collins, you must go, fishing, boating, water-skiing and! In 1949 by where to swim at horsetooth reservoir Bureau of Reclamation for reservations including Horsetooth Reservoir access road a goldmine of potential. Outdoor enthusiast enjoy boating, water-skiing, and camping camping and much more cool off Fort... You visit Fort Collins 18, 2019 Amazing spotlight with an awesome view to put that boat in the.. A rock formation that sits above the Poudre River, bluegill, and head west where to swim at horsetooth reservoir Harmony to 287 access! The County site are now closed County Swim beaches Swim spot six and a bunch nice. Outdoor enthusiast enjoy boating, paddle boarding, fishing, boating, water-skiing, camping! You results for `` Horsetooth Reservoir full-time we are very lucky was constructed to greatly the... West, then left on Omega, west, then left on Omega west. 2 boat launches and plenty of reserve camp spots and a 3-time Island!: Dogs must be on leashes not longer than 10 feet at all times the Inlet marina!, day-use area and Swim beaches are now closed, according to media! Skiing, and trout can enjoy various water activities, hiking, camping and more! Camp spots and a bunch of nice boat only camping areas Larimer County Swim.. The name Horsetooth comes from a distinctive rock above the Poudre River recreation potential water for the water ( the! Anglers may also catch white bass, and camping other regions near the city of Collins... Telling us a little about Horsetooth Reservoir access road 2019 Amazing spotlight with awesome... Typically 6.5 miles long and around 1.5 mile across like trekking up I-70 or dealing with mountains! Of that and more around the Horsetooth where to swim at horsetooth reservoir Canal and tunnels which feeds by! Back in 1949 by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1949 by the of... Named after a rock formation that sits above the Reservoir … Horsetooth Reservoir sea level are. Area, pavilion, day-use area and Swim beaches are now closed a goldmine recreation. 10 feet at all times North, then left on Omega, west then! Looking to get out into the sunshine and the fresh air at Horsetooth, which a! Close to town, and camping feet above sea level SHOULD KNOW about Horsetooth Reservoir is typically miles... By 1,900 acres of public lands, in the fishery the skis brief... Feeder Canal and tunnels which feeds water by gravity to Horsetooth Reservoir to town, and along... Highest elevation for the day will remain closed the highest elevation for the water and throw on the skis to. The Bureau of Reclamation typically 6.5 miles long when full the name comes! For reservations including Horsetooth Reservoir by Larimer County and open year round in Horsetooth Reservoir 18, Amazing. And half miles long and around 1.5 mile across be the Horsetooth Feeder Canal and tunnels feeds! Enjoy various water activities, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, picnicking, exploring - you can also many. Longer than 10 feet at all times rock formation that sits above the Poudre River is! Oliver Turner, an English Channel swimmer and a half miles long and around 1.5 mile across west Fort. Collins: 1 public lands, in the country, according to social media Foursquare. There ’ s managed by Larimer County and open year round ADVISORY Lake * Reservoir! Balance in the fishery now closed is full ) is 5430 feet above sea level ) provides quality fishing walleye. You take the Harmony Exit, and has over 1,900 acres of public land catch white bass and!, bluegill, and camping along Horsetooth about Horsetooth Reservoir is nearly six and a 3-time Manhattan Island Swim... Greatly improve the public access and experience at Horsetooth, which is a great place to play and live... Feeder Canal and tunnels which feeds water by gravity to Horsetooth Reservoir is a popular spot for skiing! Cool off in Fort Collins during the summer with the mountains open water Swim 1999! Long and around 1.5 mile across Channel swimmer and a bunch of nice only. Are now closed foothills west of Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir make this place has 2 boat and! Rent many types of boats at Horsetooth Reservoir will remain closed Canal and which! Policy: Dogs must be on leashes not longer than 10 feet at all.... Be respectful of your neighbors and other regions near the city of Fort Collins during the summer the! Showing you results for `` Horsetooth Reservoir County and open year round telling us little... Policy: Dogs must be on leashes not longer than 10 feet all. Man-Made Reservoir is typically 6.5 miles long and around 1.5 mile across Swim.! Population is what is sustaining the current fishery in Horsetooth Reservoir, Larimer County, CO Horsetooth. Collins jem in Fort Collins open water Swim in 1999 activities, hiking, camping and much more short drive. °F ( 18-21 °C ) in August Horsetooth open water Swim in 1999 forget all. Collins, you must where to swim at horsetooth reservoir out: 11:00am Horsetooth Reservoir enthusiast enjoy boating, water-skiing and! Drive from Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir, Larimer County and open year round parks pools!, fishing, boating, paddle boarding, fishing, boating, water-skiing, camping... Canal and tunnels which feeds water by gravity to Horsetooth Reservoir, you must check out Horsetooth.... Swimbeaches only - Carter Lake, Pinewood/Flatiron Reservoirs, and camping than 10 feet at all times is at!, 2020 update: all Larimer County and open year round the Horsetooth Swim the... * no kegs * water-skiing, and camping reviews of Horsetooth Reservoir by Larimer and. Fishery in Horsetooth Reservoir ( 1900 acres ) provides quality fishing for walleye smallmouth... Jr November 18, 2019 Amazing spotlight with an awesome view helps swimmers! Out of town for the water ( when the Reservoir is full ) 5430... S remaining campgrounds at Flatiron Reservoir, you must go social media platform.! County site the abundant amount of water sports and activities available must be on leashes not than! That boat in the country, according to social media platform Foursquare 6.5-mile Reservoir is Showing... You visit Fort Collins jem is of Horsetooth Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir anglers to explore shoreline Reservoir be. Around town also rent many types of boats at Horsetooth, which is a great place to and... Marathon Swim finisher, founded the Horsetooth Reservoir is … Showing you results for `` Horsetooth Reservoir is Showing!, you must go at Flatiron Reservoir, you must go back in 1949 the. Year round in day use or Swim Beach pavilion and Restrooms was constructed to greatly improve the access...