Carter Lake
Carter Lake is located in the foothills west of Loveland at an elevation of 5,760 feet. It is a part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The purpose of this water project is to divert water from the west slope to
the east slope for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation.
The Bureau of Reclamation is solely responsible for power generation. The agencies jointly
manage water levels for irrigation, municipal, and industry use.
Recreation is managed by Larimer County Natural Resources. Three miles long and about one mile wide, Carter Lake is a 1,100-acre reservoir surrounded by 1,000 acres of public lands and is popular for fishing, sailing, camping, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, and water skiing. It is open year round. Park Entrance Permits and Camping Fees are required.
General Regulations
For specifics, ask a ranger for a copy of the Regulations Brochure.
- Life preservers of the appropriate sizing are required for each person on a boat, and must be worn by children at all times. In addition, a Type IV throwable PFD is required on boats longer than 16 feet.
- Boat travel direction - counter clockwise.
- An observer (in addition to the driver), with an orange or red flag, must be on the boat during water-skiing activity.
- Swimming is prohibited except at the swim beach at Carter Lake at Dam 2. Swim beach hours vary. Call 970-679-4570 for current schedule.
- Cliff diving or jumping in the water is extremely dangerous and prohibited in all areas.
- Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Collection of firewood, including cutting of trees and branches, is not allowed.
- Firearms or fireworks are prohibited.
- Glass containers are not allowed.
- Public consumption of alcohol above 3.2% is prohibited (no kegs allowed).
- Dogs must be on leashes [pdf] not longer than 10 feet at all times. Dogs are not allowed at the swim beach.
- Due to Homeland Security restrictions, no recreation activity is allowed on dams or within 100 feet of dams when on land.
- Carter Lake Marina (970-667-1062) - restaurant service, fishing and picnic supplies, firewood, boat mooring.
- Direction of travel is counter-clockwise.
- Water-skiing is best in the early mornings and evenings.
- Winds are best for sailing from about 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and after 4:00 p.m.
- An annual regatta and other races are sponsored by the Carter Lake Sailing Club.
- Boat ramps are in and useable most of the year, depending on the ice.
- Water-skiers must have an observer and use a red or orange flag.
- Boat Registration Information
- Electrical, non-electrical, tent.
- Campground hosts on duty during the summer.
- April - October, you can reserve sites at Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, Flatiron Reservoir, and Pinewood Lake. November - March most sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- A permit to camp is required for each campsite for each night (in addition to Park Entrance Permits).
- Maximum of 14 nights in any 30-day period.
- Required of all visitors.
- Valid at Horsetooth Reservoir, Horsetooth Mountain Park, Carter Lake, Pinewood Reservoir, Flatiron Reservoir, and Ramsay-Shockey Open Space.
- Annual Park Entrance Permits (valid for the calendar year) are available at The Bison Visitor Center, at entrance stations prior to entering the park, at the Citizen Information Center, at nearby retail outlets, and online.
- Daily Park Entrance Permits (valid from day of purchase until noon the next day) are available at The Bison Visitor Center and at entrance stations and self-serve stations prior to entering the parks and open lands.
- No ice fishing - ice is UNSAFE due to water fluctuations.
- Year-round opportunities exist to catch trout from shore or boat - rainbow, cutthroat, splake, occasional brown trout, walleye and yellow perch.
- Kokanee salmon easily caught during the snagging season, October - December.
- Carter Lake rarely freezes over. Shore anglers can do well even in the dead of winter when other lakes are frozen.
- Carter is also known for its largemouth bass which become active when water temperatures rise above 60°.
- Water levels fluctuate. Carter Lake generally fills during the winter. It normally fluctuates up to 60 feet, with the lowest water being in mid September, excluding drought and excessive rain years.
- Weekdays during the summer - plenty of room for both camping and boating.
- Weekends during the summer - capacity is usually reached.
Carter Lake - Sundance Trail
Directions to Trailhead
- Access from North Pines or South Shore parking areas on the west side of Carter Lake.
Trail Information
- 3-mile trail ~ easy to moderate ~ with ½ mile wheelchair-accessible trail from the South Shore trailhead.
- Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing access
Carter Lake - Fawn Hollow Trail
Directions to Trailhead
- Off County Road 31, southeast portion of Carter Lake. Trailhead south of Dam 1 or at The Saddle.
Trail Information
- 1-mile trail ~ easy to moderate
- Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing
