Carter Lake, Horsetooth Reservoir Boat Ramps Set To Open April 1

Boating season in Northern Colorado is quickly approaching; some boat ramps at both Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir are set to reopen for the 2021 season this Thursday, April 1.

“Please boat with caution during late winter and early spring conditions,” Mark Caughlan, Horsetooth Reservoir district manager said in a news release, as per reports from the Loveland Reporter-Herald. “Pay special attention to ice and debris on the water. Make sure your vessel has been properly de-winterized and is in good running condition.”

In order to check boats for pests in a more efficient manner, both Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake will have new aquatic nuisance species shelters installed this spring.

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At some point in April, boat ramps at both Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir will be temporarily closed for construction of the new aquatic nuisance species shelters; the public will be notified of the boat ramp closures in advance, according to the Loveland Reporter-Herald. 

Hours of operation at Horsetooth Reservoir's South Bay boat ramp will vary during the months of April and May. In April, the South Bay ramp will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; in May, the boat ramp will be open 6 a.m.-10 p.m daily.

The Inlet Bay ramp at Horsetooth Reservoir will not be open in April, but will reopen in May from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

The Satanka ramp at Horsetooth will also not be open in April but will instead reopen at 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 1 to May 16, and daily for the remainder of May.

As for boat ramps at Carter Lake, the North Pines ramp will reopen in April, with operating hours of 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. The North ramp at the marina and the South Shore ramp will not open in April.

In May, the North Pines ramp and South Shore ramp will be open 6 a.m – 10 p.m daily, and the North ramp (marina) will be open from 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 1 to May 16, and 6 a.m. -10 p.m. daily for the remainder of May.

Patrons should be aware that boat ramps will close due to poor weather conditions. For the latest boat ramp conditions, visit larimer.org/boating.