You can hike or drive (4WD only) the roughly 2.5 miles to Lower Crystal Lake which rests at 11,959,' then continue on to Upper Crystal, which is nestled 1.9 miles further, in a cirque below three 13,000-foot peaks. It’s also worth mentioning that there is a $25 fee to enter the park with your vehicle. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. One of the best lakes in Colorado to live on is Lake Granby. From the lake, visitors can drive to the top of Pikes Peak for breathtaking 14,000-foot views and freshly baked donuts from the Summit House. Whether you’re approaching from the west or the east, the drive alone to Brainard is well worth it. Twin Lakes, Leadville: "Can you drive directly to twin lakes, I have an..." | Check out 7 answers, plus see 163 reviews, articles, and 132 photos of Twin Lakes, ranked No.4 on Tripadvisor among 53 attractions in … In two miles CR-7 bears right where it meets CR-7A. Lost Lake Elaine Elliott. The 5 best lakes in Colorado. There’s also plenty of camping opportunities (reservation only), and some great year-round mountain biking and hiking trails. Colorado Welcome Centers are open. It sits less than a half an hour from both Montrose and Gunnison. Many of these lakes are nestled between some of the most incredible mountain scenery you'll ever lay eyes on, making them ideal for golden hour photoshoots. Find adventure by cooling off at Horsetooth Reservoir. If you visit on a hot day, air drying on a rock slab is a reasonable option. Horsetooth Reservoir, Photo Credit: Wesley Morley (iStock). As we approach the last few weeks of the summer season and Labor Day Weekend, you might want to cool-off at some of the best swimmable lakes we have in our beautiful state. Here’s our list of the best lakes in Colorado to visit: Located right outside of Lake City Colorado, the lake looks like a layer of glass reflecting the bright colors of the surrounding mountains. Located just west of Fort Collins, this massive reservoir sits at an elevation of 5,420 feet and offers a cornucopia of outdoor recreation including fishing, boating, camping, swimming, picnicking, and even rock climbing in several locations around the lake. One of the things I love most about Colorado is the vast mountain lakes that speckle the range. Once you have reached Highway 72 and Brainard Lake Road (you can’t miss the big brown sign off the highway), travel uphill for about 2.5 miles to the fee station. The area is especially sublime in July and August when the wildflowers are at their peak. The Lake and Surrounding Area 14 Most Swimmable Lakes in Colorado To me, there’s no question: eloping to Colorado is the best. It’s truly awesome to live where I do here in Colorado. However, you don't have to be on the showerline to enjoy this lake. Search 10 Best Lakes in Colorado. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Don't Threaten. These two glacial lakes reflect some of the highest mountains in the state. Just two hours west of Denver and located south of Rocky Mountain National Park, the lake is surrounded by lush green meadows, mountain terrain and wildlife. During the heat of a Colorado summer, it’s important to have a list of nearby lakes handy. Visitors can drive up to the upper lake just below the dam and explore nearby hiking trails. From short day hikes close to the city to multi-day backpacking trips deep in Rocky Mountain National Park, these adventures will take you to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Colorado. person will not be tolerated. At this high-altitude reservoir, visitors can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities including hiking, picnicking, non-motorized boating, and fishing. Just be sure to park in the South Mineral parking lot, they have a sign explaining the trail. The reservoir is surrounded with camp sites, cabins for rent, and RV hookups for you KuKu camper, and includes a list of activities to do, including fishing, hiking, swimming and camp fires with your friends. The Grand Mesa Lakes. Sign-up for our Free Colorado newsletter. Most of the larger lakes in Colorado are either reservoirs or dam-enhanced natural lakes. Located just west of Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake offers swimming, sailing, fishing, paddleboarding, and relaxing opportunities on the sandy shores and alpine lake waters. And of course, they have campgrounds that will accommodate your KuKu camper and offers water, trash removal, vault toilets, picnic tables, grills and fire grates. Did you know there are over 300 lakes in Grand Mesa National Forest? The third largest body of water in Colorado, Lake Granby features 40 miles of shoreline, and it's next to Grand Lake, giving shoppers the choice of two great lakes for their vacation homes. Sneffels and its neighboring peaks and ridgelines, almost all over 13,000-ft. Located off of Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lakes makes for a quick pit stop. If you’re wanting to do some fishing, the lake is stocked with trout. From kayaking to boating to fishing to stand-up paddle-boarding, this gigantic outdoor playground has it all. Be Truthful. To help you navigate our five mountain lakes, we've compiled a guide to boating them: Grand Lake. With over 4,600 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shoreline, and nearly 10,000 acres of land, visitors can enjoy endless summer activities. Twin Lakes is a worthy destination in its own right. Yes, the driving distance between Colorado to Cold Lake is 2056 km. Located near Lake County, Colorado – Twin Lakes offers a peaceful retreat for adventure seekers. Visitors can fish for rainbow trout in the mountain lakes of the area, kayak the man-made water park of the Blue River, or sail the “world class” Lake Dillon Reservoir. Probably one of Colorado’s most notable lakes for its mirror waters and the Maroon Bell peaks that rise majestically in the background, Crater Lake is a coveted scenic destination by hikers, outdoor enthusiasts and photographers from all over the world, and for good reason. Soak in the scenery at these two naturally formed glacial lakes while enjoying the surrounding beauty. If you do come to Colorado carrying a boat, be sure it adheres to all state licensing before your hull touches water. You can't just drive … Together the three lakes offer over 150 miles of coastline—forty of them around Lake Grandby alone. At 10k elevation, the lakes in this northwest Colorado region stay pretty chilly in the summertime, and there’s enough of a variety of lakes that some of them can be reached with ATVs or four-wheel drive, but others are only accessible via hiking, biking, or horseback riding. The more difficult the trail, the better (should mean less pressure on the lake). Threats of harming another 10 Best Lakes in Colorado - Tripping.com Anytime. Dillion Reservoir has so much to offer in terms of outdoor recreation. There’s no need for a long hike or camping gear to see these beautiful water destinations in the Centennial State. There’s also plenty of to do in the winter including ice fishing, snowmobiling, sled-dog racing, and cross-country skiing. We'd love to hear eyewitness Success! When you visit, you can take advantage of all that the water has to offer by renting a kayak, paddleboard, or signing up for a guided boat tour. This is where you’ll surrender your hard-earned $11. Eloping in Colorado gives you access to epic views of 15 mountain ranges, 54 peaks over 10,000 feet, alpine lakes, meadows of wildflowers, and a vast variation of gorgeous backdrops. Here in the Denver area, my backyard is the Rocky Mountains with all the adventure they offer. Position your mouse over the map and use your mouse-wheel to zoom in or out. Can I drive from Colorado to Cold Lake? This is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. O.K., now that I finally have all that information out of the way, I can tell you about the hike to Duck Lake which is one of the most remote Colorado lakes on this website. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. If you’d rather enjoy the lake’s splendor from above the water, head to a lake perfect for boating or fishing. Keep it Clean. Visitors can drive up to the upper lake just below the dam and explore nearby hiking trails. This scenic drive takes you along the historic railroad and stagecoach routes where the most prominent, populated mining towns were located: Florissant, Victor, Canon City, Florence and nearby Cripple Creek. Be Proactive. that is degrading to another person. Take a casual stroll around the lake on the pathway and take in the incredible views you'll only find in southwest Colorado. Colorado is crowded so visit these 15 destinations that you can reach in under 9 hours. The Blue Mesa Reservoir. ... Fort Collins, Colorado 271 contributions 112 helpful votes. Click the map and drag to move the map around. If you're looking for a peaceful, activity-oriented Colorado vacation in the Denver Region, you can't go wrong with Aurora Reservoir. Just under an hour’s drive from Mesa Verde National Park, McPhee is an excellent place to set up shop while visiting southern Colorado’s incredible historical sites. From here, separate valleys lead to Upper Ice Lake and Island Lake. With the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park serving as a backdrop — and regular moose sightings in the shallows — Grand Lake is a wonderful place to set sail on a summer's afternoon. You can customize the map before you print! Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Resting at an elevation of 9,450 feet, it may come as a surprise that this scenic lake is located just 250 feet from the parking lot. This ‘town’ (and to call it a town is a bit of a stretch) started life as a mining camp fed by steady stagecoach lines plying the trail between Leadville and Aspen. You’ll need to pay a fee to get to this one. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. As you might imagine, the snow-melt water is too cold to swim in, but you'll find that simply hiking near them is thrill enough. Here in the Denver area, my backyard is the Rocky Mountains with all the adventure they offer. Driving directions from Ouray: It takes 45-50 minutes to drive the 24 miles from Ouray to the Blue Lakes trailhead. You can also call 1-800-COLORADO … Not only one of the best lakes in Colorado, Blue Mesa Reservoir is also the largest body of water in Colorado. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Drive west on West Colorado Avenue to Highway 145. Get driving directions Launch map view. Choose one, or hit both in a single extended … Steamboat Lake State Park. Bear Lake located in Rocky Mountain National Park. If you don’t have time to drive the entire Top of the Rockies route, this stretch of Hwy 82 from Twin Lakes through Aspen’s back gate will do just fine. These scenic drives can take anywhere from two to eight hours and is about 135 miles total. From Bear Lake, visitors can explore the following nearby hiking trails: Nymph Lake, Dream Lake, and Emerald Lake. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The only downside is they don’t have electricity, so go easy on your electronics. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Whatever adventure you prefer, you’ll find it waiting for you at Green Mountain Reservoir. It's hard to imagine any view more quintessentially Colorado than the one you'll find at Twin Lakes in Leadville. Many of these lakes are nestled between some of the most incredible mountain scenery you'll ever lay eyes on, making them ideal for golden hour photoshoots. Are there any under those parameters? But it is worth it. You’ll find beautiful views from every stretch at Blue Lakes, nestled outside the charming mountain town of Breckenridge, Colorado. The serene waters, colorful blooms, and beautiful natural setting make the perfect backdrop for a family picnic. From the blanket of gorgeous aspen trees and pines that surround the lake to the plentiful wildlife you’ll see, such as moose, fox, elk and bears, you too will see why its beauty draws so many seekers to its banks. These brilliant blue alpine lakes near Silverton are considered to be some of Colorado’s most beautiful. On a clear day, the lake is like mirrored glass, and you can see 12,129-foot Notchtop Mountain reflected in the shallow basin. So pack up your swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, some snacks and beverages and head out to these 14 most swimmable lakes in Colorado! Be Nice. Located on the West Elk Loop Scenic Byway, you can drive up to Lost Lake from either Paonia or Crested Butte. The 41 Colorado State Parks are one of best places to start when looking for boating and other lake activities, check out these locations in the areas you plan to visit: Denver region: • Cherry Creek Reservoir • Staunton Lake. In the Ten Mile Range just south of Breckenridge are the glorious Crystal Lakes. Entrance permits are $9 per vehicle ($18 for a vehicle with a boat trailer) and … Although manmade and less secluded, if you’re looking for a great place to have all your friends gather for a weekend of fun, Green Mountain Reservoir is the place to be. Twin Lakes in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Photo Credit: bauhaus1000 (iStock). Front Range region: • Barr Lake • Boyd Lake • St. Vrain. Video and descriptions of some of the best Alpine Lakes in Colorado.Be sure to Subscribe as I have many more best of videos on the way. It is 20 miles long with 96 miles of shoreline. One of the things I love most about Colorado is the vast mountain lakes that speckle the range. What, in your opinion, are the best lakes for fishing that are with in 2 hours of Denver, and require 4 wheel drive to get to? The town this body of water is named after is now submerged deep under its cold waters. You can even enjoy some right near the water. Distance: 1783.5 km; Duration: 14h 27m; What companies run services between Colorado, USA and Cold Lake, AB, Canada? This will require a brisk hike from Monarch trail head where you will park. To reach the trailhead from the intersection of Highway 550 and the turnoff to Silverton (Highway 110), drive 2 miles north on Highway 550 to County Road 7, located between mile markers 72 and 73. This beautiful destination offers visitors pristine waters for fishing, waterskiing, swimming, windsurfing, and sailing. About 45 minutes north of the town Steam Boat Springs, Steam Boat is hidden jewel and offers campgrounds, cabins and RV parking, as well as snow skiing and snowboarding. A few are out of the way of the main road and require a brisk hike (which is just a bonus in my opinion) while others you can drive right up to in your KuKu camper. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and cliff diving. This 820-acre city-owned ... 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