Ft. Collins, CO
After spending two weeks in an RV at Horsetooth Reservoir, I can honestly say that I would love to go back and spend more time there. The lake covers 1900 acres, has more than twenty miles of shoreline, and boasts four dams. Sitting at an elevation of about 5,400 feet above sea level, it is surrounded by foothills leading into the mountains and roads curving around the lake. At the south end of the reservoir is the Visitor Center, boat ramps, and a campground for both tents and RVs. There are even some small cabins available for rent.
Unfortunately, at the time I was there, the south end of the lake didn’t have any water, supposedly because the weather had been so dry the last few years with very little rain. So, lakeside campsites were actually camping sites next to a dry lakebed. However, the lakebed is a great place to go walking and to see wildlife, like deer and geese. Early in the morning, when it was still chilly outside, we would usually see deer walking around the campsites.
There is a daily fee to get into the reservoir, or an annual pass can be purchased. Besides water sports like fishing, boating, and SUP, there are lots of hiking trails at Horsetooth. The trails offer a variety of distances and abilities, and wonderful views of Fort Collins and the surrounding area. There are even areas where rock climbers can work their way up the cliffs from the beach below.
From Horsetooth Reservoir, your are just about a ten minute drive from Ft. Collins, home of Colorado State University, Front Range Community College and several other schools. Being a college town, Ft. Collins has lots of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and shopping if you need a break from the lake. Also nearby is Lory State Park, located in the foothills, which provides lots of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Horsetooth Reservoir is a great place to camp or just visit for the day because there is so much to do in the area. If you decide to camp or rent a cabin, make sure you have reservations well in advance because they do tend to get booked up, especially over the weekends and holidays. For more information, click here.
Maps and Moments 