You can’t beat Colorado’s mountains, but if there’s one knock on the Centennial State, it’s the relative lack of water. Sure, there are beautiful high alpine lakes, pure mountain streams and roaring whitewater rafting rivers. But people used to coastal living or the widespread lake life of the Southeast or Midwest can be left feeling a bit dry. There are still plenty of spots for fun on the water though and activities like boating, paddling, fishing and watery fun. Here’s where to find the best lakes in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
Lakes in Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak North Slope Recreation Area lakes: Catamount Reservoir, Crystal Creek Reservoir
Where to Find It: Pikes Peak, Pikes Peak Highway
The three reservoirs of the North Slope Recreation Area — North Catamount Reservoir, South Catamount Reservoir and Crystal Creek Reservoir — are favorite spots to enjoy Pikes Peak from May to October. These are larger lakes by local standards, ranging from 120 to 210 acres, and they are popular fishing spots for brook, brown, cutbow, cutthroat, lake and rainbow trout. Only electric motors are allowed on boats. There’s no swimming, but you can paddle a kayak, canoe or SUP. You can hike and mountain bike too. And Pikes Peak reflected in the lake makes for incredible scenery.
Note: South Catamount Reservoir is closed for the 2025 season for dam repairs, and North Catamount Reservoir is only accessible by hiking in during that time.
coloradosprings.gov/pikes-peak-americas-mountain
Quail Lake
Where to Find It: Cheyenne Mountain, 915 Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.
The 22-acre Quail Lake is a Southwest Colorado Springs favorite for paddling, fishing and beautiful views of Cheyenne Mountain. Only nonmotorized boats are allowed, so it’s popular for SUPs. Fishers often catch trout in cooler spring or early summer, as well as crappie, pike and catfish in warmer months. And you’ll find sand volleyball courts, a playground and group picnic shelter. Be sure to check boating guideline here.
Prospect Lake
Where to Find It: Downtown/Hillside , 619 Prospect Lake Drive
As part of the Springs’ Memorial Park, the historic Prospect Lake has been a popular spot for recreation since the early days of the city. There’s a beach house with sand volleyball and event space — plus a swim beach and paddleboard and kayak rentals. Rotating days allow swimming and motorized boating on the 33-acre lake, so you can water ski and wakeboard. Of course, fishing is popular here too.
coloradosprings.gov/memorialpark
Palmer Lake
Where to Find It: Palmer Lake, 199 County Line Rd.
The scenic Palmer Lake sits in the middle of the tiny town of the same name, nestled against the Front Range mountains. And it’s a favorite north-side recreation spot. Take out a paddleboard and try to get passing trains to blow their horn. Fishing is popular here too. And the surrounding Palmer Lake Recreation Area offers a picnic pavilion and access to walking, hiking, running and biking along the New Santa Fe Regional Trail.
communityservices.elpasoco.com
Monument Lake
Where to Find It: Monument
People love the town of Monument for its away-from-it-all feel north of Colorado Springs, and the 30-acre Monument Lake offers an easy-to-access scenic mountain lake experience. Fishers can use electric trolling motors, but no other motorized boats are allowed. The lake is home to rainbow and other trout, catfish, perch, blue gill, pike and small mouth bass. This is a popular spot for standup paddleboarding, and Limbach Park across the street has picnic and playground areas.
Lakes in the Pikes Peak Region
Lake Pueblo
Where to Find It: Pueblo, 640 Pueblo Reservoir Road
Here’s where to find the full lake experience closest to Colorado Springs. Lake Pueblo is 4,600 acres with 60 miles of coastline, so you can do it all: motor-boating, waterskiing, wake surfing, jet skiing and sailing along with paddling and fishing. You can camp here at Lake Pueblo State Park year-round, and the Rock Canyon Swim Beach is a hot spot.
Pikes Peak South Slope Recreation Area: Mason Reservoir, McReynolds Reservoir, Boehmer Reservoir
Where to Find It: Pikes Peak, Forest Service Road 376
Want to explore the more remote side of Pikes Peak? Mason Reservoir, McReynolds Reservoir and Boehmer Reservoir and the surrounding land on the South Slope were closed to the public for 100 years before opening in 2014. Now the recreation area is open to a limited number of people daily Thursday through Sunday, May through September. What’s the draw? Uncrowded fishing, paddling and hiking in the pristine, high elevation area. You must register ahead online for a permit.
coloradosprings.gov/southslope
Rampart Reservoir
Where to Find It: Woodland Park, Rampart Range Road
At 9,200 feet, Rampart Reservoir is an easy spot to get away to a mountain lake near Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. Boats with electric motors are allowed, and fishing is popular. You can also paddle canoes, kayaks or standup paddleboards, but life jackets are required. This is also a great spot for hiking, mountain biking and camping in the two campgrounds. Just be prepared for the sometimes-rough dirt road access.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Where to Find It: Lake George, 4229 County Road 92
Eleven Mile Reservoir is a fishing favorite known for trophy catches, and it’s popular for sailing and windsurfing too. That means it gets windy thanks to it’s open area at 8,602 feet. Motor boats are allowed on its 3,400 surface acres, and you can rent pontoon boats at the 11 Mile Marina. Swimming is not allowed. Rock formations in and around the water make for some interesting paddling too. And you can camp in campgrounds or backcountry campsites.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Where to Find It: South Park/Lake George, County Road 59
Spinney Mountain Reservoir is the little sister lake to Eleven Mile Reservoir, located upstream on the South Platte River. It too is known for its Gold Medal Waters trout fishing. All types of boating are popular on the 2,444 surface-acre reservoir, including kayaking, canoeing, sailing and motor boating — yes, you can rent a pontoon boat at the 11 Mile Marina. Enjoy the stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks in the distance.
Manitou Lake
Where to Find It: Woodland Park, Highway 67
Want a short lake getaway that’s easy for the whole family? Manitou Lake is a small 5-acre reservoir about 7 miles west of Woodland Park. Drive-in picnic sites with tables and fire pits make it easy even for little kids. You can fish here year-round, weather permitting, and use nonmotorized boats. It’s a quiet, scenic little spot.
Paradise Cove
Where to Find It: Guffey
The officially named Guffey Gorge Day-Use Area is widely known as Paradise Cove. If you’re looking for cliff jumping, this is the popular spot. It’s a swimming hole, not a lake, fed by a waterfall along West Fourmile Creek. And it’s use at your own risk, so exercise your best judgment. Many people, kids and families included, come to wade and cool off in the scenic mountain setting. Some take the thrill of jumping from the surrounding crags. There is a day-use fee and a 1-mile hike to reach the swimming hole.
Lakes in Denver — But Still Close to the Springs
Cherry Creek Reservoir
Where to Find It: Denver/Aurora, 4201 South Parker Rd.
Cherry Creek State Park is a hot spot for boating of all types, from paddleboards to windsurfers, sailing and motorboats. You can waterski and even jet ski on the 880-surface-acre lake. The surrounding trails are also popular for walking, hiking, running and biking. Campgrounds offer 135 campsites, and there’s even a model airplane runway. Denver crowd warnings and daily boat limits apply.
Chatfield Reservoir
Where to Find It: Denver/Littleton, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd.
At 1,500 surface acres, Chatfield Reservoir isn’t the biggest around, but it’s a popular spot for sailing, waterskiing and other motor-boating activities around Denver. On the southwest edge of metro Denver, it’s easy to reach from the Springs, and the nearby Front Range foothills provide beautiful scenery. Fishing is popular too, included ice fishing in the winter. There are campgrounds too. But this is Denver, so the lake can get very crowded, even triggering boating limits.
