Horsetooth Reservoir
Phone: 970-679-4570
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. Horsetooth Dam closes the northern end of the valley, and Soldier Canyon, Dixon Canyon, and Spring Canyon Dams close the natural outlets eroded through the hogback ridge.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 project will be completed in the fall of 2003. Although water levels will be kept high enough to meet irrigation and M&I needs, only limited boating will be available. The swim beach is closed during this project. For updates on ramp conditions, call the Horsetooth Hotline at 970.679.4554. Access good. Total water surface available for recreation is approximately 1,900 surface acres. 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 LevelsColorado State Parks operates a small visitor center at Lory State Park, located next to the north shore of Horsetooth Reservoir.Information about the archaeological mitigation work at the reservoir is available. Mitigation work
Directions
Off county road about 5 miles west of Fort Collins.
More info at http://www.co.larimer.co.us/parks/Horsetooth.htm
Online Colorado Parks
Olle's Colorado Fishing Guide & Atlas (Book) by Jack Olofson
Gives info on not only every fly-fishable lake, stream and river in Colorado, but detailed maps on how to get to them, including hiking trails. Covers National Forests and Recreational Areas, RMNP, State Parks, Trust lands and Wildlife Areas, plus metro Denver and the Front Range.
Merchant: Online Sports
Wild Colorado (Book) by Donna Lynn Ikenberry
This guide to 51 roadless recreation areas in Colorado provides a sampling of hikes, backpack trips, snowshoe hikes and backcountry ski trips in the Weminuche Wilderness (Colorado's largest), as well as the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes New Mexico, and
Merchant: Online Sports
Rocky Mountain National Park: The Climber's Guide - Estes Park Valley (Book) by Bernard Gillett
This comprehensive guide has more than 900 routes on the lower elevation cliffs that lie along the eastern edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, including some of the best traditional and sport cragging in Colorado. Text and topo maps describe every route.
Merchant: Online Sports
Complete Colorado Campground Guide (Book) by Outdoor Books and Maps
Provides info on over 500 campgrounds in state and national parks, national forests, state wildlife areas, Bureau of Land Management areas: directions, regulations, general description of surrounding areas, fees, number of campsites, phone numbers, facilities, etc. 160 pages.
Merchant: Online Sports