Horsetooth ReservoirOn Horsetooth’s 6.5 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. Known for its alpine lakes, Colorado has a wide-variety of trails and lake scenery to choose from. It’s popular with boaters, campers and fishers. The lake’s waters flow out of Rocky Mountain National Park, which surrounds the lake on three sides. The glacial terminal moraine created a natural dam. Colorado has seventeen rivers which drain an area of over 3,900 square miles. C’mon, the water’s fine for your Colorado vacation! With 260 campsites on or near the shoreline, and a lake full of trout and salmon, Lake Granby is a favorite for outdoor recreation. With a reflective lake to cast back their beauty and a crystalline blue sky to frame their edges, the pyramid-like peaks of these sister mountains are a … Lake Grandby has two sister lakes: Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake. Blue Mesa ReservoirDriving Hwy. We’re also home to the headwaters for some of the nation’s mightiest rivers. about Discover Colorado’s Wonderfully Rugged Side in North Park, about 7 Epic Outdoor Adventures in Rangely, about Learn About Colorado’s Mythical Creatures & Where to Spot Them, about Summer Days in Steamboat Springs & North Park, about Rocky Mountain Summer Adventure: Take a Trip to Grand Lake, boatable waters on Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s website, ‹ Inside Denver's First Friday Art Nights. Colorado Lakes Shown on the Map: Blue Mesa Reservoir, John Martin Reservoir and Lake Granby. So grab your life jacket and a big floppy hat; we’ll reveal a couple of the most promising of Colorado lakes and reservoirs. It originates from the base of Colorado's Canby Mountain and then flows into the Mexican Gulf. Lake Pueblo – 4,600 acres List of fires. Colorado may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we lack shoreline. Photo Credit: SeanXu (iStock). Nestled between three peaks at 11,355 feet, Blue Lake is a 5.1-mile round-trip trail full of alpine views, rugged boulders, wildflower clusters, and marshy ponds. Lake Dillon (Reservoir), Dream Lake, Fern Lake, Grand Lake (Reservoir), Tuqoise Lake (Reservoir), Green Mountain Reservoir, Homestake Reservoir are a few of the larger lakes or reservoirs of Colorado. The following is a partial alphabetical list of lakes and reservoirs in the U.S. State of Colorado. Our state is home to over 4,000 lakes. Lake Granby is the third largest body of water in Colorado and was created in 1950 by the the Granby Dam and the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. Together the three lakes offer over 150 miles of coastline—forty of them around Lake Grandby alone. Location and Characteristics of The Biggest Lake in Colorado Lake Granby is the third largest body of water in Colorado. And read about some of Colorado's best beaches and lakeside lodging. 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. 4. Located near Lake City in the San Juan Mountains, Lake San Cristobal is full of trout and is popular for fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. 2. Colorado State University (CSU) has information on named fires from 1976 to 2006 and total wildfires from 1960 to 2009. The third largest body of water in Colorado, Lake Granby features 40 miles of shoreline, and it's next to Grand Lake, giving shoppers the choice of two great lakes for their vacation homes. Colorado's Major Rivers 1) Rio Grande. Plus, there’s the prospect of landing a trophy-sized trout or hooking a powerful pike in these waters. On Lake Dillon, a massive reservoir lined with pines and studded with islands, boaters rejoice in the beautiful views and fresh air. (See our list of Colorado rivers for rafting.) Vallecito LakeJust 20 miles north of Durango, the town and namesake lake of Vallecito sits in a beautiful valley at 8,000 feet. Lake Granby . Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer, 9 Extraordinary Ways To Experience Colorado’s Winter, Denver's Mirus Gallery Reveals its Latest Exhibit: Awaken the Chrysalis. “ Dream Lake is the prettiest lake along the trail and makes the 500 foot (152m) climb at altitude worth the effort; look closely, and one will be able to see trout in the crystal clear water from the banks. Or hold tight as your motorboat and water skis zip across the waters of a Colorado State Park reservoir on the sun-collecting eastern prairie or … Fortunately, there is no shortage of lakes in Colorado, including the large and unbelievably serene Grand Lake. Blue Lake Elaine Elliott. The total storage of the reservoirs on this list is 3,763,458 acre⋅ft (4.6 billion m 3), although not all is allocated for use by Colorado… That’s a roundup of the largest lakes and reservoirs in Colorado! Colorado Elevation Map: This is a generalized topographic map of Colorado. Today, we’re serving up 21 of Colorado’s largest and most interesting, historical, and recreational lakes and reservoirs for your reading pleasure. A winter view of frozen lake in a city park, with city skyline and front range mountains in the background, at east-side of Downtown Denver, Colorado, USA. The Largest Natural Lake In Colorado, Grand Lake, Is Unbelievably Serene. Five small lakes lie within the Brainard Lakes Recreation ... Carter Lake: Also known as: Carter Lake Reservoir, Carter Reservoir Carter Lake is a major source of fun for residents and visitors to the Loveland area of Colorado's Front Range. Although it’s hard to go wrong, here’s a look at the best alpine lake hikes in Colorado for any ability level. Colorado has more than 105,344 river miles and more than 249,787 lake acres.The majority of the state’s rivers originate in the pristine high alpine environment of the Rocky Mountains and flow downstream through the high desert or high plains regions before leaving the state.Colorado has seven major river basins -Arkansas,Colorado,Green,Platte,Republican,Rio Grande and San Juan. The largest reservoir entirely contained in Colorado is Blue Mesa Reservoir, with a capacity of 829,500 acre⋅ft (1.0 billion m 3). If you need to relax and unwind, you need to be at the lake, where time moves slower, and all of your cares seem to magically disappear. Lake GranbyIn 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. Resting just outside Rocky Mountain National Park, the largest natural lake in the state is a major draw year-round. A full-service marina makes getting on the water a cinch. They’re listed by approximate volume and surface acres when full. Lake San CristobalNear Lake City and Creede, Lake San Cristobal is a geologic marvel amid the San Juan Mountains formed by a rare earthflow. Learn more about things to do on or near the lake, and discover events on Lake Granby. The Lake and Surrounding Area Navajo Lake sunset at Rosa Campground in Arboles, Colo. Photo: lakeside campgrounds dotted around the reservoir, How D.I.A.’s Murals Feed Conspiracy Theorist, 10 Wonderful Winter Vacation Spots in Colorado, Quick Guide to the Best Neighborhoods in Denver, Comfy Cabins to Rent near Boulder, Lyons and Nederland. Well, it took a while: I filtered through thousands of photos, trying to find which lakes had the most consistent beauty… meaning you don’t have to be Ansel Adams to create stunning photos at these locations. If you’re looking for scenic views and plenty to do, City Park has got you covered. Maroon Bells (pictured) It’s said that the Maroon Bells (actually, two peaks: Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak) are the most photographed peaks in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, and when you see them, you’ll understand why. Colorado Lakes: A list of all the Lakes in Colorado that begin with A with maps, driving directions and a local area search function. Here are four Rocky Mountain lakes to add to your Colorado bucket list: 1. The Brainard Lakes are some of the most heavily visited lakes along Colorado's Front Range. One-stop-shop for fishing and boating locations in Colorado. The reservoir is one of two main storage basins for the all-important Big Thompson distribution system providing water to the East Slope. Colorado’s two dozen rivers and 2,000 lakes and reservoirs are a playground for boaters, whitewater rafters, fishers and kayakers. Hundreds of lakes mapped, sorted by fish species and boating regulations & conditions reports. According to CSU, wildfires in Colorado burned less than 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) per decade over the 1960s and the 1970s. The Official Site of Colorado Tourism © 2020 Colorado Tourism Office. Lake San Cristobal At 2.1 miles long and almost 90 feet deep at its deepest point, Lake San Cristobal is the second largest natural lake in Colorado. With a large collection of lakes and reservoirs — many that are a boon for boaters — Colorado has its fair share of weekend sailors, windsurfers, swimmers and flat-water kayakers and canoers. Grand Mesa LakesColorado’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. The following is an alphabetical list of lakes and reservoirs in the U.S. State of Colorado. Chatfield ReservoirOne of the most popular lakes near Denver, Chatfield Reservoir in Littleton bustles with swimmers, sailors, fishers, campers, horseback riders and bird watchers. Boulder ReservoirThis 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. Grand LakeThe 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. One of the best lakes in Colorado to live on is Lake Granby. Enjoy your time on the water and be safe. The 41 Colorado State Parks are 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. Prospect LakeAdmire 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. The Flat Tops Wilderness covers more than 235,000 acres of remote mountains and forests in Garfield , Rio Blanco , and Eagle Counties on Colorado’s Western Slope . Lake DillonSummit County is known worldwide for its skiing, but the joys of this high-country paradise aren’t confined to the slopes. Get a taste of the beach and the mountains in one beautiful place – Grand Lake, the largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado with a total capacity of 68,600 acre-feet of water. Sure, the Centennial State is unrivaled in America when it comes to containing an astounding number of mountains sized 14,000 feet and above, but Colorado also features lots of excellent bodies of water to explore. This list only covers the largest, most destructive fires in Colorado history. At 800 square miles, northwest Colorado’s Grand Mesa is one of the largest flat-top mountains in the world, and its landscape sets it apart from much of the rest of Colorado — that so many lakes can be found so close together is a bit of an anomaly in this high-altitude state. Located just west of Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake offers swimming, sailing, fishing, paddleboarding, and relaxing opportunities on the sandy shores and alpine lake waters. Colorado is the headwaters for nearly two dozen major rivers, including the Colorado River, Rio Grande, Animas River and Arkansas River. Carter Lake is a major source of fun for residents and visitors to the Loveland area of Colorado's Front Range. Most of these lakes and streams can be clearly seen on the Colorado Satellite Image. Find more boatable waters on Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s website >>, 10 Colorado Fly-Fishing Spots >>Top Places to Drop a Line in Colorado >>10 Places to Fish With the Family >>, There’s no summer memory better than those spent “at the lake.” Colorado's mountain lake lodging retreats are just waiting for you and your family...Read more, Tucked away northeast of Steamboat Springs is a region more rugged, remote and scenic than any you’ll find in the state:...Read more, Flat-top mountains and peaceful desertscapes greet you as you make your way through northwestern Colorado to ...Read more, You already know that Colorado hosts an array of fascinating ...Read more, With its sprawling ranches, aspen-draped mountains and oxbow rivers, the ...Read more, From water activities and outdoor recreation to cultural sights and rustic accommodations, Grand Lake is a can’t-miss summer destination in...Read more, Discover Colorado’s Wonderfully Rugged Side in North Park, Learn About Colorado’s Mythical Creatures & Where to Spot Them, Summer Days in Steamboat Springs & North Park, Rocky Mountain Summer Adventure: Take a Trip to Grand Lake. In fact, alpine lakes in Colorado are so famous, nearly every mountain hike passes a pristine lake nestled in the mountains. Grand Lake is Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake. Grand Lake, located in the Town of Grand Lake, is Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake, with over 60 miles of surface water length. Consider a peaceful excursion on a serene alpine lake, a pine-tree corralled body of water that supports a fleet of sailboats or canoes. All rights reserved. If you’re looking to explore more of Colorado’s waterways read up on its major rivers, as well as other terrific lakes and reservoirs. The Rio Grande is one of the main rivers in northern Mexico and the southwestern parts of the United States. We also have a page about Colorado water resources. It shows elevation trends across the state. Yep, that’s right… 4,000. Rent a speed boat or fishing boat from Grand Lake Marina, or … Colorado lakes fishing map, stocking information and tips. 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