Horsetooth Reservoir
West of Fort Collins
Six and one-half miles of water beckon visitors to come out and play! Surrounded by 1,900 acres of public lands, this reservoir has it all: fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, and water skiing.
As part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project to divert water from the west slope to the east slope for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation, the reservoir is jointly operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District who manage water levels for irrigation, municipal, and industry use. Larimer County manages recreation.
Horsetooth Reservoir requires entrance and camping permits, and is open year round. It's located west of Fort Collins, Colorado, at an elevation of 5,420 feet.
Horsetooth Area Information Center
The Horsetooth Area Information Center, located in South Bay of Horsetooth Reservoir, is open to the public with info on recreation areas, trails, camping, boating, fishing and more. Front desk staff can be reached at (970) 498-5610. The center's hours are:
- March-October: 9 AM - 4 PM, 7 days a week
- November-February: 9 AM - 4 PM, Monday-Friday