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Horsetooth Reservoir
Nat'l Recreation Area

Horsetooth Reservoir

United States

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We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this park using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: May 20, 2026. Spot an error in our data?

About

Imported description
Horsetooth Reservoir, Colorado-Big Thompson Project, furnishes the main water supply for the Poudre Valley. The reservoir is 6.5 miles long, and is formed by four large earthfill dams. Developments include 4 campgrounds, 111 campsites, and 7 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina is located at the Inlet Bay area. Concession operated restaurant (Cordova's Horsetooth Lighthouse, 970-223-3922) is located in the South Bay. A developed public swim beach located on the west side of the lake. NOTE As a result of the Modernization of the Dam project, Reclamation lowered the water at Horsetooth and began modernizing the four dams. The reservoir has approximately 1,899 water surface acres, 1,978 land acres and 25 miles of shoreline. Primary recreation activities include fishing, power boating, water skiing and camping. Primary sport fish include rainbow trout, crappie, smallmouth bass, white bass, wiper, largemouth bass, and walleye. Current Reservoir Levels Colorado State Parks operates a small visitor center at Lory State Park, located next to the north shore of Horsetooth Reservoir.

Source: recreation.gov

From Wikipedia

Horsetooth Reservoir is a large reservoir in southern Larimer County, Colorado, in the foothills just west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. The reservoir runs north-south for approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) and is approximately one-half mile (1 km) wide. Its shape and orientation are the result of the fact that the main body of the reservoir is contained between several homoclinal ridges. A ridge composed of Dakota sandstone runs along the east side where gaps in the ridge are plugged by dams. On the west (uphill) side there are two prominent ridges topped by erosion-resistant sandstones of the Lyons and Ingleside formations. Gaps in these ridges have created a handful of bays and coves the largest of which is Inlet Bay, home to a marina and campgrounds.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify alerts and operational details with the managing agency below.

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