Trip Planner:   Fort Collins  /  Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins

4.5

#10 of 19 in Parks in Fort Collins

Water Body Nature / Park

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Horsetooth Reservoir (often known locally as Horsetooth) is a large reservoir in southern Larimer County, Colorado, just west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado. The reservoir sits in the foothills above the town on the western side of the Dakota Hogback, which contains the reservoir along its eastern side. The reservoir runs north-south for approximately 6.5 miles (10 km) and is approximately one-half mile (1 km) wide. It was constructed in 1949 by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of its federal Colorado-Big Thompson Project or "C-BT". Water distribution is currently managed by Reclamation and operated by the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. Horsetooth and Carter Lake serve as the two principal reservoirs for water diverted eastward under the continental divide via the C-BT.

The reservoir is a supplementary source of municipal water for Fort Collins, Greeley and other communities in the region, as well as for irrigation in the lower South Platte River basin. The reservoir takes its name from Horsetooth Mountain, a summit in the foothills west of the southern end of the reservoir.

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Horsetooth Reservoir Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

29 reviews

Google

4.6

• By 585crystalk

  I will never be back to Horsetooth Reservoir! My family and I were treated with absolutely no respect by the game wardens that are suppose to protect you. If you want to get arrested and beat up and.....  more »

• By Q4514BCmaryb

  Super hiking for both beginner and advanced levels with opportunities for boulder climbing as well. Friendly people on the trails.  more »

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Google

• By William Myrick

  We love right above the place we can see it from our front porch

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• By Jonathan Linenberger

  Great place

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