Fort Collins Lakes

Lakes Around Fort Collins

Every once in a while you should gather your family and friends and make time to be on the water. A stay at a lake can be perfect for people who love getting outside too, as they are a great way to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

Whether you’re looking to paddleboard, partake in some watersports, go for a swim, or nap in the sand, the lakes near Fort Collins offer you lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. The time is now! Pack up the car with sunscreen and a picnic basket then set out this weekend to find your own number one spot on the water!

Lakes Close to Fort Collins

Lake Activities

On a day trip to a lake near Fort Collins you’ll find all kinds of things to do for families and couples. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel or AirBnB to make the most of your time unwinding.

Every getaway at the lake offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Have a picnic. Fort Collins’s lakes gives you the chance to visit all sorts of top-notch picnic areas for you to pack up some foods, or something as simple as crackers and cheese and a cold beverage while enjoying the scenery. For a romantic evening, good food and a view is hard to beat.

Fishing. For anglers, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you reel in a day of fun whether you’re drifting behind a trolling motor or fishing from shore.

Swimming. Finding a swimming lake near Fort Collins will offer tons of fun for the youngsters, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on before you make the trip! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t offer as much to do as a beautiful public beach on a lake near Fort Collins!

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Everyone’s beach getaway will be unique depending on the lake you’re heading to, when you go, and what you want to do for entertainment. While every trip is its own animal, we took the time to make a list with some of our favorite ideas for your next summer trip so there’s nothing to stress over!

Lake basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the weekend, the following list of items is a good place to start for essentials you are likely to need.

  • Sweatpants and sweatshirt
  • A picnic basket
  • Sunblock
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Portable phone charger
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Towels
  • Tennis shoes
  • Beach blanket
  • Insect repellant

Additional lake stuff

Depending on what you’ll be doing for the day and who will be in your entourage, the items below could make your day more enjoyable and worth a quick spot check before hitting the road.

  • Toys for the beach
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Bait
  • Swimming goggles
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Something to read
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Fishing gear
  • Life jackets

Staying Safe on a Lake

Yes, being on the water can make for a memorable day, safety should be top of mind. Here are some general tips that should ensure that everyone stays safe on the water.

  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Keep children within arm’s reach at all times while swimming in deep water
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Have an escape plan for what to do if you get stuck on a boat that capsizes or tips over
  • Regularly apply sunblock throughout the day – following the product’s instructions

Some More Tips

Some people may not get a chance to make their way to the amazing lakes around Fort Collins and might have some questions about how to make the most of their time there. Of course, each lake near Fort Collins will have their own character and surroundings, but here are a couple key points to review when assembling your itinerary which could help start your trip on the right foot.

  1. Make the most of the best local resources. When you have time for a longer stay, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the option to camp right on the water at an affordable price.
  2. Find a marina. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or tubing with the kids. Asking a local can typically help you find options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Do homework on the beaches. Early, mid, or late season, sometimes beaches might be swarmed with beachgoers. To find some more space to spread out, research multiple lakes and beaches to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!