Pinewood Reservoir

Northwest of Carter Lake

Three hundred and twenty-seven acres of public lands encircle this idyllic 100-acre reservoir. Kayaking, camping and fishing make it the ideal place for a little fun in the mountains without driving too far.

As part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project to divert water from the West Slope to the East Slope for drinking water, irrigation and hydropower generation, the reservoir is jointly operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, which manage water levels for irrigation, municipal and industry use. Larimer County manages recreation.

Pinewood Reservoir requires entrance and camping permits, and is open year round. At 6,580 feet in elevation, it is west of Flatiron Reservoir, southwest of Loveland, Colorado, and northwest of Berthoud, Colorado.

Pinewood Boat Ramp Closed

To comply with regulations, all trailered watercraft and or watercraft operated by any sort of motor are not allowed on Pinewood Reservoir. Only hand-launched rafts (with more than two air chambers), kayaks, belly boats, canoes, windsurfer boards, sailboards, and stand-up paddleboards are allowed on the water in this area. 

Brochure Brochure (Spanish) Trail Map Entrance Permits Reserve a Campsite Regulations

Features

Accessible
Biking
Camping
Drinking
Fishing
Permit
Picnic
Restroom

Map & Directions

From Denver:

  1. Take I-25 north to Exit 257B (Highway 34 - Loveland) heading west. Continue west through Loveland on U.S. Highway 34 (Called Eisenhower in Loveland)
  2. Watch for the "Carter Lake" road sign just past mile marker #85. Turn left (south) onto County Road 29 and continue for 2 miles.
  3. Turn right (west) onto County Road 18E and continue another 2 miles.
  4. Watch for signs directing you turn left (south) to the park entrance station. (You must buy your park entrance permits here.)
  5. Go back north to County Road 18E and turn left (west) continuing approximately 1/2 mile to Flatiron Reservoir or approximately 4 1/2 miles to Pinewood Lake. Ramsay-Shockey Open Space Trailhead is at the west end of Pinewood Lake.

From Loveland:

  1. Take U.S. Highway 34 west through Loveland.

    Follow directions from #2 above

From Fort Collins:

  1. Take Taft Hill Road south from Fort Collins to U.S. Highway 34 (Eisenhower) in Loveland and turn right (west).

    Follow directions from #2 above

From Longmont or Boulder:

  1. Take U.S. Highway #287 north to County Road 56. Go west until the road curves to the north and you see a sign for Carter Lake. Turn left (west) onto County Road 8E, continuing for 3 miles.
  2. Stop at the entrance station to purchase Park Entrance Permits. Continue west about halfway up the hill (watch for the sign). Turn right (north) onto County Road 31 and continue all the way around the lake. Continue north 2 miles, past The Natural Resources Department, to the stop sign and turn left onto County Road 18E.
  3. Go approximately 1/2 mile to Flatiron Reservoir and approximately 4 1/2 miles to Pinewood Lake. Ramsay-Shockey Open Space Trailhead is at the west end of Pinewood Lake.

 

Trails & Weather

Trails Report

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Altitude		 Use Surface
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Weather

Air Quality

Updates every half hour.

Conditions

Water Temp: °F
 


Webcam & Weather History

Daily Entrance Permits for vehicles can be purchased at the self-pay kiosk via credit card near the Pinewood Campground entrance, at the north or south entrance gatehouses for Carter Lake, the administrative office east of Flatiron Reservoir, and at the north shore marina store at Carter Lake. For more info about annual permit options, please visit this web page. 

BE BEAR AWARE: Avoid attracting bears to your campsite

  • Never leave food, cooler or trash unattended. Any food, coolers or trash left out may be confiscated.
  • Properly store your trash, food, beverages and toiletries in a locked hard-sided container constructed of rigid material. Keep anything with a scent in your vehicle or a bear-proof container. Put trash in dumpsters located at each campground.
  • Keep a clean tent. Don't bring anything with an odor into your tent. Don't sleep in the clothes you cooked in; store them in your vehicle.
  • Never intentionally feed a bear.

HELP KEEP COLORADO'S WILDLIFE WILD!

Boat ramp closed: The boat ramp for Pinewood Reservoir is closed and no trailered watercraft and or watercraft operated by any sort of motor may be launched at Pinewood. Exclusions include hand-launched rafts, kayaks, belly boats, float tubes, canoes, windsurfer boards, sail boards, stand-up paddleboards or inner tubes.

Pinewood Reservoir water elevation is 6,480 feet empty and 6,589 feet full.
Water Level Data courtesy U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Fishing

  • No ice fishing – ice is unsafe due to water fluctuations.
  • A fantastic trout lake. Wakeless boating makes it ideal for fishing from a canoe or float tube. Fly fishing is also very popular. Rainbow trout, browns, Snake River cutthroat, and occasional lake trout can be caught from shore or boat. Tiger muskie (a cross between a northern pike and muskellunge) has been stocked. These fish grow quite large.

Camping

  • Electric, tent.
  • Campground host on duty during the summer.
  • March 1 - October 31: Sites can be reserved from 180 days to 1 day in advance the arrival date at www.larimercamping.com or by calling the reservation call center at 1-800-397-7795. Sites that are not reserved in advance become available that day as first-come, first-served for people who are physically present at the parks. Same day reservations will be accepted at park visitor centers during regular business hours. These sites cannot be held over the phone, nor can their availability be guaranteed prior to arrival in-person.
    • November 1 - February 28/29 same day reservations can be made online at Carter Lake, Flatiron Reservoir, and Pinewood Reservoir. Campers MUST make a reservation and purchase a park entrance permit BEFORE setting up at any campsite.
    • November 1 - February 28/29 same day reservations at Horsetooth Reservoir and Hermit Park must still be done at the park. (Hermit Park closes for the season Dec 20 - March 1)
  • A permit to camp is required for each campsite for each night (in addition to Park Entrance Permits).
  • Maximum of 14 nights in any 30-day period.

Photos

Click a photo to enlarge.

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Image © Jim Janicki
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Tips & Info

  • Weekdays during the summer – usually room for both camping and boating.
  • Weekends during the summer – capacity is usually reached.

Water Levels

  • Pinewood is the afterbay of power plants. Water goes up and down daily depending on the power and water demands that day.
  • Moor your boat off shore

Regulations

For specifics, ask a ranger or see a kiosk for a copy of the Regulations.

  • Only non-motorized, hand-launched watercraft allowed on Pinewood Reservoir
  • Swimming is prohibited.
  • Cliff diving or jumping in the water is extremely dangerous and prohibited in all areas.
  • Quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Collection of firewood, including cutting of trees and branches, is not allowed.
  • Firearms or fireworks are prohibited.
  • Glass containers are not allowed.
  • Alcohol is only allowed in campsites. No alcohol in day use areas.
  • Drones are prohibited.
  • Dogs must be on leashes not longer than 10 feet at all times.