DIRECTIONS / Park info
HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR
Walk up rentals Always welcome
at all locations!
There is limited parking available at
Horsetooth locations.
We recommend you carpool, Lyft/Uber or ask a friend to drop you off.
Horsetooth Reservoir - South Bay
From Fort Collins
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If you are South of Old Town, Fort Collins, it is easiest to reach the South Bay by going west on Harmony Road. Continue on Harmony past JJ's Country Corner on your right, as the road will turn into W County Road 38 E. Continue straight as the road will curve around the South Bay of the reservoir. Take a right at the South Bay entrance and you have arrived!
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If you are in Old Town, Fort Collins, or North, it is best to head West on Prospect Rd until it ends at Overland Trail. Take a left on Overland Trail, and look for Dixon Canyon Road which is right across to the drive-in movie theater entrance. Turn right on Dixon Canyon Road and follow it up the hill until you reach Centennial Drive where you'll take a left. Continue on Centennial across the dam and take a right on W County Road 38 E. Continue on around the south end of the reservoir until you see the South Bay entrance. Take a right and you've arrived!
Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise swim beach
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From Fort Collins
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If you are South of Old Town, Fort Collins, it is easiest to reach by going west on Drake Road. Continue on Drake until it ends and make a right onto Overland Trail. Make a quick left onto Dixon Canyon Road immediately after the drive-in movie theater entrance on your right. Follow Dixon Canyon Road all the way up the hill to the reservoir and continue straight as it turns into County Road 23. You will cross a dam as you head north along the edge of the reservoir and will take a left into the second parking lot you see. You have arrived!
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If you are in Old Town, Fort Collins or North, it is best to head north on College Ave (Hwy 287) towards the town of Laporte. At a Y, continue straight as the road turns into County Road 54 G. Once you reach Vern's Place, take a left onto Rist Canyon Road. When you see a bright yellow building on the right (Bellvue Bean), it's time to turn left onto N County Road 23. You will see a dam going east to west, but continue straight. You will cross a dam (north-south) along Horsetooth and at the top of the hill is Sunrise Swim beach! Make a right into the parking lot entrance and you have arrived!
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From I-25
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If coming from I-25, take the Prospect Road exit (Exit 268). Head west on Prospect Road all the way through town until it ends at Overland Trail. Make a left onto Overland Trail and a right onto Dixon Canyon Road once you start to see the drive-in movie theater. Follow Dixon Canyon Road all the way up the hill to the reservoir and continue straight as it turns into County Road 23. You will cross a dam as you head north along the edge of the reservoir and will take a left into the second parking lot you see. You have arrived!
Horsetooth Reservoir - Satanka cove
From Fort Collins
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If you are in Old Town, Fort Collins or North, it's best to take College Ave (Hwy 287) towards the town of Laporte. At a Y, continue straight as the road turns into County Road 54 G. Once you reach Vern's Place, take a left onto Rist Canyon Road. When you see a bright yellow building on the right (Bellvue Bean), it's time to turn left onto N County Road 23. You will come to the backside of the Horsetooth Dam, which goes East/West. Turn right to drive over the dam and you've arrived!
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If you are South of Old Town, Fort Collins, it is easiest to reach the South Bay by going west on Drake Road. Continue on Drake until it ends and make a right onto Overland Trail. Make a quick left onto Dixon Canyon Road immediately after the drive-in movie theater entrance on your right. Follow Dixon Canyon Road all the way up the hill to the reservoir and continue straight as it turns into County Road 23. You will come to the backside of the Horsetooth Dam, which goes East/West. Turn left to drive over the dam and you've arrived!
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From I-25
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If coming from I-25, take the Owl Canyon Road exit (Exit 281). Continue west on Owl Canyon Road (W. County Rd. 70), then turn left on N. County Road 19 (turns into Taft Hill Road). At Hwy 287, turn right and continue north. Go through Laporte until you see Vern's (restaurant and gas station) and turn left onto Rist Canyon Road. When you see a yellow building to the right (Bellvue Bean), turn left on N. County Road 23 (the only intersection), and you will come to the backside of Horsetooth Dam, which goes East/West. Turn right to drive over the dam and you've arrived!
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From the North
- If coming from Hwy 287, turn right onto US 287B (54G). From here, you'll turn right onto N. County Road 23E, then right onto Rist Canyon Road. When you see a yellow building to the right (Bellvue Bean), turn left on N. County Road 23 (the only intersection), and you will come to the backside of Horsetooth Dam, which goes East/West. Turn right to drive over the dam and you've arrived!
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Tips for Satanka Cove:
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Enter "Satanka Cove, Colorado 80512" into Google Maps or GPS
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CARTER LAKE
Carter Lake - South Shore
From Denver
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Take I-25 North toward Fort Collins. Take the Berthoud exit (250) onto CO-56 West and take a left toward Berthoud. In 5 miles, go straight through the roundabout, which will turn into Mountain Ave. Continue on Mountain Ave as it crosses Hwy 287 and turns into W County Rd 8. After a sharp right curve in the road, take a left on W County Rd 8E. Continue straight on County Rd 8E until you reach the lake, and the Carter Lake South Shore entrance to the parking lot will be on your right. You have arrived!
From Berthoud
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Head west on Mountain Ave; after crossing Hwy 287, Mountain Ave will turn into W County Rd 8. After a sharp right curve in the road, take a left on W County Rd 8E. Continue straight on County Rd 8E until you see signs for Carter Lake South Shore, and the entrance for the parking lot will be on your right!
From Longmont
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Take Hwy 287 North until you reach a large intersection with W County Rd 8. Take a left onto W County Rd 8 and continue straight. After a sharp right curve in the road, take a left on W County Rd 8E. Continue straight on County Rd 8E until you reach the lake, and the you will see signs for Carter Lake South Shore. Take a right into the parking lot and you have arrived!
From Old Town Fort Collins
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Take College Ave (Hwy 287) South about 20 miles through Loveland towards Berthoud. Turn right onto W County Rd 8. After a sharp right curve in the road, take a right onto W County Rd 8E. Continue straight on County Rd 8E as it turns into N County Road 31 and you will see signs for Carter Lake South Shore. The entrance to the parking lot will be on your right and you have arrived!
From South Fort Collins/Loveland
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Head West on Hwy 34/Eisenhower Blvd all the way out of Loveland. Take a left onto Larimer County Hwy 29. Next make a right onto W County Rd 18E. You will start to see signs for Carter Lake and will then take a left onto S County Rd 31 and pass the Larimer County Ranger Station. Continue on and you will climb up to the lake and pass the Carter Lake Marina. Follow the perimeter of the lake south and take a right on N County Rd 31. You will soon see signs for Carter Lake South Shore and the entrance to the parking lot will be on your right! You have arrived!
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Park Entrance fees are not included with the rental. Daily entrance permits for Carter Lake can be purchased at the North and South Entrances of the park. A park permit is required to visit Carter Lake. It is $9 per day/per car for a day pass. You must purchase it directly from Larimer County Parks. Park permit info: www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/permits
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Park Entrance fees are not included with the rental. Daily entrance permits are available at entrance stations and self-serve stations prior to entering the parks. A park permit is required to visit Horsetooth Reservoir. It is $9 per day/per car for a day pass. You must purchase it directly from Larimer County Parks. Park permit info: www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/permits
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