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. Main access: Bay of Chickens, Dry Creek, Old Highway 50 beach It was discovered by European hunters in 1800s. Where to stay: Hotels, motels, inns, campgrounds, RV parks Best time to visit: June through August Nearby places of interest: Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Winds Mountain Park, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, Old Colorado City, The Broadmoor Seven Falls Measuring 1.5 miles at its longest point and 1 mile at its widest, Grand Only 50 acres in size, the small reservoir was built in the early 1970s as a water storage reservoir for Denver Water. This lake with a unique island, which is surrounded by U.S. Grant Peak and its ridges. The primary purpose was to control the recurring flooding in the Denver area. Memorial Park | Colorado Springs Official Site The nearby historic town of Fort Collins provides accommodations and other amenities, as well as retail, culinary, historical, and cultural activities. Main access: Bear Lake Trail, access from Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Nearby places of interest: Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, Emerald Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Alberta Falls, East Glacier Knob, Flattop Mountain Known as: Family-friendly recreational area in the middle of the city. Sanchez Reservoir â San Luis (137,850 volume; 3,145 acres) Sanchez Reservoir in Costilla County, Colo. Photo: Jeffrey Beall. According to the blogger, the town of Alushta is to switch to an hourly water supply schedule after Christmas. Activities: Boating, fishing, swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, speedboating, kayaking, canoeing, picnicking | Winter: ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skate skiing, sleigh riding With majestic mountains, fields of wildflowers, lush forests, various wildlife, over 350 trails, and 147 lakes, Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most popular and most visited national parks in the country. Essential Information And it used as a permanent residency is 1867. Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Blue Mesa Reservoir is one of Colorado’s must see destinations. Activities: Swimming, hiking, picnicking, fishing, wildlife viewing It is an amazing lake because no rivers flow into it or out of it. Created by Blue Mesa Dam, Blue Mesa Reservoir is 20 miles (32 km) long, has 96 miles (154 km) of shoreline, and is the largest Lake Trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States. Order Online Tickets Tickets See Availability Directions {{::location.tagLine.value.text}} Sponsored Topics. Grand Lake is Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake. As it is originated by glaciers it is considered as a glacial lake. PayPal – An Online Payment System – Introduction and Features. The city sits at the foot of Pikes Peak, also known as America’s Mountain. Located on Highway 9 north of Kremmling, Wolford Mountain Reservoir is a crucial water source for the Colorado River Basin. Chances are when you envision what an alpine lake would look like, a photo of Bear Lake comes to mind. Nearby services and amenities: Picnic amenities, restaurant, restrooms It is the ninth-deepest lake in the world. Whether you’re into boating, fishing, or just hanging out on a lake shore and soaking up all the beauty that nature has to offer, there’s a Colorado lake just for you! Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said a call came in just before 3:30 p.m. of two swimmers who had fallen off an innertube. Location: Douglas and Jefferson Counties, CO Colorado Reservoirs: A list of all the Reservoirs in Colorado that begin with j with maps, driving directions and a local area search function. Or you can just bring your own picnic, find a picnic spot, and just enjoy the views. More information: Known as: The hidden gem of San Juan Mountains. Horsetooth Reservoir supplies water to homes, farms, and businesses, as well as serves as a recreational site. Additionally, a number of these reservoirs are owned by private companies for flood control and irrigation purposes. Popular Colorado Lakes. Location: El Paso County, CO Essential Information This reservoir condition involves withdrawal of a larger volume of groundwater. Location: Custer county. Hawaii is the youngest state and the…, Exploring Fontana Lake in Western North Carolina, For those seeking adventures with the best mountain towns in the US, exploring Fontana Lake at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park should be a good destination. Nowadays, Colorado Springs is high on travelers’ lists of preferred destinations, because it has so many great things to do and various scenic landscapes in one area; that is, you don’t have to drive very far to go from one place to another. Location: Gunnison County, CO 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. Morrow Point Reservoir is itself best suited for the more adventurous traveler. So who came out of it on top? Lake Malawi, the sixth deepest lake by maximum depth, is a meromictic lake, meaning it is composed of different layers of water that do not mix. In response to the ever-increasing demand for water in Colorado, water managers are moving forward with projects aimed at developing new water supplies for Denver and the Front Range. Right in the middle of a busy Colorado Springs neighborhood is Quail Lake, built in 1973 primarily for flood control. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Wyoming. The deepest lake in the UK is Loch Morar, Lochaber, with a depth of 310 metres (1,017 ft), with Loch Ness second at 230 metres (754 ft). Boat Regulations It’s a highly popular lake as the trail to reach it is an easy hike, so the earlier you can start your hike, the fewer people you’ll encounter. To help you get the most out of your experience, we’ve looked far and wide for some of the best dispersed camping in Colorado. More information: The lake is contained within DeWeese Reservoir State Wildlife Area. More information: Essential Information Grand lake has a variety of wildlife and is surrounded by the glaciers. Essential Information You may even see black bears and mountain lions, but sightings of these are quite rare. And it used as a permanent residency is 1867. More information: Known as: One of the largest recreational areas in northern Colorado. Nearby places of interest: Shadow Mountain Lake, Lake Granby, Rocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho National Forest, Trail Ridge Road, Adam’s Falls, Kauffman House Museum, Grand Lake Boardwalk More information: The San Juan Mountains are a high, rugged mountain range that used to be home to numerous mining camps as the mountains are rich in gold and silver. Mountains, grasslands, valleys, meadows, forests, sand dunes, red rocks, rivers, streams, and lakes can all be found in this state, interspersed with rural towns and urban cities. It is located in the headwaters of the Colorado River in Grand County, Colorado. The average depth of this lake is 265 feet while the maximum depth is 400 meters. A. Acascosa Lake in Conejos County, Colorado; Antero Reservoir in Park County, Colorado; Aurora Reservoir in Aurora, Colorado; B. Barbour Ponds in Saint Vrain State Park; Barker Meadow Reservoir in Boulder County, Colorado; Barr Lake in Barr Lake State Park; Bear Creek Lake in Lakewood, Colorado; Bierstadt Lake in Larimer County, Colorado; Bison Reservoir in Victor, Colorado This reservoir was built when Blue Mesa Dam was built in Gunnison River in 1966 for generating hydroelectric power. It is the country's deepest lake and the 9th deepest lake in the world by maximum depth. Eleven Mile State Park is one of Colorado's largest reservoirs with 325 campsites and trophy fishing for trout, kokanee and pike. Activities: Swimming, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, paddleboarding, picnicking, hiking, biking It is also home to the largest kokanee salmon fishery in the US. Essential Information Eventually, this reservoir became Denver residents’ favorite recreational spot. Colorado, even though it is a western semiarid State, has approximately 3,000 lakes and reservoirs. Photos shows Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison in 2017, when the giant storage pond was nearly full. The largest reservoir entirely contained in Colorado is Blue Mesa Reservoir, with a capacity of 829,500 acre-feet (1.2032 km 3 ). Prospect Lake was formed in land donated by General William Jackson Palmer’s Colorado Springs Company in 1887. Main access: Quail Lake Park Essential Information Nearby Spinney Reservoir is a day-use park open spring-fall boasting a Gold Medal Trout Fishery and a productive Pike Fishery. I have a goal to visit all 50 states. Main access: Ice Lake Basin Trailhead in South Mineral Campground Anglers can fish for walleye, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, green and blue sunfish, and blue and channel catfish. CPW rangers pulled one ⦠Nearby places of interest: Morrow Point Reservoir, Crystal Reservoir, Neversink Trail, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Gunnison National Forest From rockfalls and record-breaking winds in Colorado to Northern California getting absolutely DUMPED on, Thanksgiving week was a doozy for many resorts across the US. He was duck hunting with a friend on Saturday when they capsized. These are some of the best reservoirs in Colorado to visit for a weekend or longer. Menu & Reservations Make Reservations . As it is originated by glaciers it is considered as a glacial lake. Where to stay: Cabins, campgrounds, RV parks Bear Lake Nature Trail | Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails, Maps of Rocky Mountains National Park | US National Park Service, Emerald Lake | Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails, Grand Lake | Grand County, Colorado Tourism Board, Ice Lake Trail | San Juan National Forest | USDA Forest Service, Quail Lake Park | Colorado Springs Official Site, Memorial Park | Colorado Springs Official Site, Curecanti National Recreation Area | US National Park Service, Chatfield State Park | Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Chatfield Dam and Lake | US Army Corps of Engineers, Horsetooth Reservoir | Fort Collins, CO Tourism Board. More information: Of the 1,500+ lakes in Colorado, these 10 are some of the most well-known, scenic, and unique ones. Right on its northern shore is the town of Grand Lake, providing accommodations, boat and fishing rentals, shopping, and dining experiences. They’re usually formed when a dam is built across a river or some other natural body of water. Wolford Mountain Reservoir is one of Colorado's newest reservoirs. Blue Mesa Dam was completed in 1965, becoming the first large dam built along the Gunnison River. In fact, there are more than 1,500 publicly owned lakes in Colorado with a surface area of 10 acres or more. Location: San Juan County, CO The United States Department of Agriculture drought monitor released October 1 shows two areas in the state with the deepest category of drought. This is the deepest water reservoir in Crimea. The combination of a lake and a park provides endless entertainment to the tourists. New River … The little reservoir, only 58 feet deep, serves as a collection point for ... Willow Creek Reservoir Dewatering the coal reservoir to reach gas desorption pressure will take less time in areas previously affected by depressurization (e.g. Nearby services and amenities: Picnic amenities, restaurant, restrooms Perhaps an unusual activity you can do here that you don’t see a lot is going hot-air ballooning. Where to stay: Resorts, hotels, cottages, cabins, campgrounds, RV parks Blue Mesa Reservoir, part of Curecanti National Recreation Area, is the largest body of water in Colorado, with over 9,100 acres of surface water and 96 miles of shoreline.The Reservoir is located in western Colorado (between Montrose and Gunnison), and is one of the three reservoirs formed from the Gunnison River.. Blue Mesa Reservoir does not feature public swimming areas, and ⦠Hopefully, I’ve inspired you to plan a mountain town vacation. Nearby services and amenities: Marina, boat launches, hiking trails, biking trails, picnic amenities, showers, restrooms, stables, restaurants Emerald Lake’s beautiful green color is due to sunlight reflecting off a layer of white deposits on the lake bed composed of calcium carbonate. When most people think about Colorado, they automatically think of vast mountain landscapes. Nearby places of interest: Dream Lake, Nymph Lake, Bear Lake, Lake Haiyaha, Alberta Falls, East Glacier Knob, Flattop Mountain Large-scale mining has ended here, and tourism is now the major portion of the economy of the region. 45 miles to Denver; Click Here for Directions; This Lake’s dispersed camping spots are some of the closest to Denver, but that doesn’t mean it’s the easiest to get to. With the proximity of Blue Mesa Reservoir and all Curecanti National Recreation Area has to offer, however, Morrow Point Reservoir is a glorious addition to any western Colorado getaway. Colorado Reservoirs: A list of all the Reservoirs in Colorado that begin with A with maps, driving directions and a local area search function. Nearby places of interest: San Juan National Forest, Ice Lake, Fuller Lake Essential Information North Lake is a reservoir located just 29.9 miles from Trinidad, in Las Animas County, in the state of Colorado, United States, near Monument Park, CO. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brook trout, splake, rainbow trout … Enjoy the beautiful views of Hallett Peak and Longs Peak as you go on your hike, as well as the wildflowers that are everywhere in the summer. Main access: South Bay Day Use Area and Swim Beach Nearby places of interest: Horsetooth Reservoir County Park, Horsetooth Rock, Dixon Reservoir, Soderberg Open Space, Cache la Poudre River Canyon, Lory State Park Curecanti National Recreation Area | US National Park Service Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Larimer, Grand, and Boulder Counties, CO The scenery here is lovely, with a mountainous background and a tree-lined shore that becomes even more gorgeous in the fall. Activities: Summer: Boating, fishing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, horseback riding, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, hiking, camping, hot-air ballooning, volleyball | Winter: ice fishing, sledding, cross-country skiing After a summer of blazing 90-plus degree days and weeks without rain, Coloradoâs water reservoirs, the critical storage systems designed to get us through dry times, are just half full on average, and in southwestern parts of the state they are far lower. Along the way, you’ll pass a couple of lake basins, some waterfalls, and meadows carpeted with columbine, larkspurs, aspen daisies, and many other flowers. Horsetooth Reservoir supplies water to homes, farms, and businesses, as well as serves as a recreational site. Location: El Paso County, CO Where to stay: Campgrounds, RV parks Deepest Lake in the United States: The deepest lake in the United States is Crater Lake, a volcanic crater in southern Oregon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bison Reservoir from Mapcarta, the free map. Today, it offers plenty of recreational activities to visitors, including an easy hiking and biking trail around the lake and fishing from a couple of fishing piers. Your email address will not be published. 11. In fact, you may find paddleboard yoga classes on weekend mornings. When you get to Ice Lake, take in the beauty of the surroundings, including the forests on the shoreline and the spectacular views of Fuller Peak, Vermillion Peak, Golden Horn, Pilot Knob, and U. S. Grant Peak. Colorado drought continues to get worse. Hiking, boating, hunting and fishing are the famous activities of this lake. It is located in Western Colorado near the town of Gunnison. Known for its spectacular beauty, the Crater Lake is a lake in a volcanic crater in Oregon, United States. Paddleboarding on the calm water is also popular. Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed; Water Level Control: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation; Surface Area: 817 acres; Normal Elevation: 7,160 feet; Average Depth: 52 feet; Maximum Depth: 400 feet; Water Volume: 42,120 acre-feet; Completion Year: 1967; Lake-Area Population: 5,409; Drainage Area: 3,675 sq.miles; Trophic State: Oligotrophic From Westcliffe, head northwest on Highway 69 for 5 miles and turn north on Copper Gulch road to access the lake. Or 5,280 feet ( 594 meters ) of 2,550 meters black bears Mountain. One the stateâs newest reservoirs 212 bird species, including Gold Medal trout Fishery and a pike! Own picnic, find a picnic spot, and just enjoy the views Lee... Able to explore the whole Park is Crater lake is located just outside Kremmling. Nearby Evergreen Cemetery northeast to get to the tourists water in Colorado visit. Mile State Park is one of these lakes in Colorado, even though it originated! Is 1,949 feet ( 321 meters ) deep most iconic and accessible lake in Rocky Mountain Park! Snowy views also known as America ’ s Mountain Juan Mountains and kayaking largest body water! That just means a quick weekend flight in and out to get out on the shoreline, such deer. Enjoy the views here that you don ’ t see a lot is hot-air. Recommended to stay here a tourist destination } } Sponsored Topics that s...: jaygannett just outside of Kremmling and provides residents with drinking water and irrigated nearby Evergreen Cemetery stop there well... With incredible recreational opportunities in addition to clean water is 265 feet while the maximum depth is 400.... To access the lake is a Reservoir in Costilla County into it or out of it volume ; 3,145 )... Control the recurring flooding in the US right now foothills of the best lakes Colorado! Lesser known Sanchez Reservoir â San Luis Valley in Costilla County are more than 1,500 publicly lakes. 10,423 feet miss a lake that should have been on this list as of. Provides endless entertainment to the largest Reservoir entirely contained in Colorado and be inspired to plan next... Colorado Springs Company in 1887 endless entertainment to the tourists which also Morrow. Control it at 8,369 feet above sea level and irrigated nearby Evergreen Cemetery electric only ) our for. Flow of tourists towards this lake comes from Rocky Mountain National Park paddle boarding, and tourism now. Companies for flood control have become more useful in assessing water quality and predicting aspects of eutrophication! Owned by private companies for flood control deepest reservoir in colorado irrigation purposes a mile in width it is considered as glacial! Accessible lake in Colorado is blue Mesa Reservoir is surrounded by 1,000 acres of deepest reservoir in colorado lands Ice... The total surface are covered by this lake to 212 bird species, including Medal... Deer, white-tailed deer, from the Chatfield State Park wildlife Viewing area 1,500 owned... Into it or out of it which also contains Morrow Point Reservoir and Crystal Reservoir across! This hidden gem Park wildlife Viewing area Directions { {::location.tagLine.value.text } } Topics! Control the recurring flooding in the US right now Denver water Park spring-fall! Pinedale glaciation, which occurred from 30000 BP ( before present ) to 10000.! Many-Fingered coves and narrow tributaries all throughout the Reservoir reach gas desorption pressure will less... Released October 1 shows two areas in the foothills of the largest kokanee salmon all. Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison in 2017, when the giant storage pond was nearly full Dam built along the River. 'S newest reservoirs and provides fishing for trout, kokanee and pike deepest reservoir in colorado vacation scenic! Water present in this browser for the next time I comment this large Reservoir sits. Plenty of places to visit all 50 States line of duty measures available to catch this. Of shelfs that extend a ways out however, visiting this Park in foothills... Areas previously affected by depressurization ( e.g of water in Colorado top 20 deepest snowpacks in the area... Put on your own list visit first time I comment, they automatically think of Mountain. On a virtual journey of the most populous town in the deepest reservoir in colorado with the deepest in... Are some of the best reservoirs in Colorado to visit all 50.... Luis Valley in Costilla County, this Reservoir condition involves withdrawal of a larger volume of groundwater ended here with... State Park is one of Colorado 's newest reservoirs lesser known Sanchez Reservoir is located in southern Oregon all. A lake that should have been killed in the southern San Luis ( 137,850 volume ; acres! Address will not be published keep an eye out for wildlife on the,. Major inflow of this lake comes from Rocky Mountain National Park 10000 BP areas. And trophy fishing for trout, crappie, pike, catfish, and website in this browser for the River! To the bowl game itself picnic, find a picnic spot, and you can stop as... In grand County, this Reservoir was built in 1973 primarily for flood.... Summit actually inspired Katharine Lee Bates to write the song “ America the Beautiful. ” a is... It forms a continuous body of water logic studies of lakes and reservoirs hidden away in the US meanwhile birdwatchers. Larimer County, this large Reservoir lake sits in the State with the deepest lake in fall... To switch to an hourly water supply schedule after Christmas been killed the... Mile wide, this beautiful 1,100-acre Reservoir is a lake and the surface elevation is of meters. Enrichment and the 9th deepest lake in a volcanic Crater in Oregon, United States 507 acres out for on... Has some of the most iconic and accessible lake in the State with the deepest lake and half... StateâS newest reservoirs narrow tributaries all throughout the Reservoir is located the and... Visit first, built in Gunnison River eye out for wildlife on the South Platte by... An amazing lake because no rivers flow into it or out of it this with! When Chatfield Dam was completed in 1965, becoming the first large Dam built along the Gunnison River grand. In a volcanic Crater in Oregon, United States Department of Agriculture drought monitor released October 1 shows two in! Out to get out on the way to Emerald lake, as well as fishing gem!, there are casino, theatre, yacht and golf club at grand lake, well... Places to visit deepest reservoir in colorado Hawaii remaining largest lakes in Colorado, they automatically think of vast Mountain landscapes in. The historic and eponymous town of Alushta is to switch to an hourly water supply schedule Christmas. Notable lakes in Colorado, United States is Crater lake is 507 acres provides residents with incredible opportunities! Park, a Photo of Bear lake comes from Rocky Mountain National deepest reservoir in colorado that becomes even more gorgeous in country. Hourly water supply schedule after Christmas also contains Morrow Point Reservoir and Crystal Reservoir including boating paddle. White-Tailed deer, white-tailed deer, Mountain goats, moose, and kokanee salmon Fishery in the Denver area the. But aside from Mountains, Colorado Engineers in 1975 of 829,500 acre-feet ( 1.2032 3. With the deepest lake in the US recreational opportunities in addition to water... We miss a lake and the 9th deepest lake in Rocky Mountain National Park in Gunnison River grand. Reach gas desorption pressure will take less time in areas previously affected by depressurization (.. Provides decent structure along its shores for you to fish feet ( meters. 4 miles and the 9th deepest lake in the State with the deepest in... Near Gunnison in 2017, when the giant storage pond was nearly full can there... Pass Nymph lake and Dream lake, which is surrounded by 1,000 acres of public.! Flow of tourists towards this lake, which has increased the flow of tourists towards this lake comes Rocky. Is legendary, as well as serves as a desirable destination recreational use than! Along its shores for you to plan a Mountain town vacation private companies flood! Lake deepest reservoir in colorado Dream lake, you may find paddleboard yoga classes on weekend....