Pinewood Reservoir
Pinewood Reservoir is located west of Carter Lake at an elevation of 6,580 feet. Pinewood is 100 acres
of water surrounded by 327 acres of public land. It is popular for trout fishing and camping. It is also 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.
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. Boating is allowed at Pinewood Reservoir at a wakeless speed. Swimming is not allowed; however, a swim beach is located at nearby Carter Lake Dam 2. The park 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 are required for each person on a boat. In addition, a Type IV throwable PFD is required on boats longer than 16 feet.
- Boat travel direction - counter clockwise.
- Swimming is prohibited except at the swim beach at Carter Lake at Dam 2.
- 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.
- Non-electrical, tent.
- Campground host 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.
- A fantastic trout lake. Wakeless boating makes it ideal for fishing from a canoe or float tube. Fly fishing is also very popular. Rainbow trout, browns, Snake River cutthroat, and occasional lake trout can be caught from shore or boat. Tiger muskie (a cross between a northern pike and muskellunge) has been stocked. These fish grow quite large.
- Pinewood is the afterbay of power plants. Water goes up and down daily depending on the power and water demands that day.
- Moor your boat off shore.
- Weekdays during the summer - plenty of room for both camping and boating.
- Weekends during the summer - capacity is usually reached.
