Boating opens April 1 at Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake

The boating season at Larimer County’s reservoir parks has arrived with selected ramps opening Wednesday, April 1 at 7 a.m. Early spring hours of operation include:

Horsetooth Reservoir

• South Bay ramp: 7 a.m.-7 p.m., 7 days a week
• Inlet Bay ramp (Marina only): April 15-30; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Satanka ramp: CLOSED April 
  (Opens May 22, Friday, Saturday, Sunday only through Labor Day).

Carter Lake* 

• North Pines ramp, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday only due to ongoing paving in area
• North Marina ramp: CLOSED April (Opens May 1, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. through Memorial Day)
• South Shore ramp: 7 am-7 p.m., 7 days a week

*Current ongoing paving work at Carter Lake will impact boat ramp operational hours. Efforts are underway to minimize launch impacts, but boaters may experience delays.

Ongoing paving in the area may temporarily affect access to South Bay and Inlet Bay at Horsetooth Reservoir and to North Pines at Carter Lake. Boaters should watch for signage. Ramps may also be closed for poor weather conditions, water level, or staffing constraints.

To comply with regulations, Horsetooth Reservoir and Carter Lake require mandatory vessel inspections. Inspections between 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. are typically the easiest times to get an inspection, especially early in the season when staffing is limited. For safety reasons, decontaminations are not performed after dark.

Stay tuned for updates on additional ramp hours starting in May. For the up-to-date schedule of boat ramp hours, visit www.larimer.org/boating.