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Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir County Park Inlet, near Fort Collins, Colorado, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a beautiful lake backdrop. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, many of which provide stunning waterfront views, making it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike.

The amenities here are solid, with clean toilets, fresh drinking water, and electric hookups available at most sites. Campers have noted the well-spaced sites, which help maintain a sense of privacy, and the peaceful atmosphere, especially during the quieter fall months. One visitor mentioned, “If you are looking to get away and go somewhere quiet and beautiful, this is the place to be!”

For those who love water activities, the campground is conveniently located near a marina and boat ramp, perfect for paddleboarding or kayaking. The surrounding area is also great for hiking and exploring, with scenic drives that showcase the stunning Colorado landscape. As one camper put it, “Make for a nice scenic drive. Best times to go is sunrise or sunset.”

Wildlife is another highlight, with deer often wandering through the campground, adding to the natural charm. Whether you're here for a weekend escape or a longer stay, Horsetooth Reservoir County Park Inlet has plenty to offer for a memorable camping experience.

Description

Horsetooth Reservoir

Located in the foothills west of Fort Collins at an elevation of 5,430 feet, Horsetooth Reservoir is 1,900 acres of water surrounded by 2,000 acres of public land. It is popular for fishing, boating, water-skiing, and camping. This 6.5-mile reservoir is open year round and is a part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District. The purpose of this water project is to divert water from the west slope to the east slope for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower generation. The Bureau of Reclamation is solely responsible for power generation. The agencies jointly manage water levels for irrigation, municipal, and industry use. Recreation is managed by Larimer County Natural Resources. Park Entrance Permits and Camping Fees are required.

Please check the Season Dates tab for annual updates on site availability.

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Location

Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Denver: Take I-25 north to the Harmony Road/Timnath exit (#265). Turn left (west) continuing on Harmony Road for 7 miles where it becomes County Road 38E at the Taft Hill Road intersection. Continue west on County Road 38E approximately 4 more miles to the entrance at the south end of the Reservoir. The entrance to South Bay (including campground, group use area, and swim beach) is at the south end of the reservoir. Watch for signs. To get to Inlet Bay (including Inlet Bay Marina and Inlet Bay Campground), continue west on 38E 1 3/4 miles past the South Bay entrance. Watch for signs and turn right on Shoreline Drive.

Address

4200 West C.R. 38E
Fort Collins, CO 80526

Coordinates

40.523879139484926 N
105.1650820318869 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

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12 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 15, 2024

Relaxing lake side near water

Sites are fairly close together strung out along the lake edge. In September, lake level is purposefully lowered about 20 feet from summer levels. None the less, you can still launch a canoe from your campsite or fish. Just need to walk down to water edge. Pit toilets. Water available. Flush heads at launch ramp (third of mile walk) and visitor center(about 2 miles) T-Mobile coverage nearly non existent with just sporadic 1 bar LTE. 5G at visitor center. Camp store across road. Fair amount of traffic on road, but not annoying.

SiteI17
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Michael , September 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Michael , September 15, 2024
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  • (11) View All
Reviewed Nov. 3, 2022

Waterfront

Easy access just outside of town, clean toilets and fresh drinking water easily accessible. Stayed for two nights whilst visiting Fort Collins region.

SiteS18
Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2021

Horsetooth Reservoir

Larimer County campground so have to have a pass (just like a state park) plus a reservation charge (one-time $9 or so) plus daily campground fee. Off season is fairly inexpensive so if you can get an inexpensive disabled pass, can camp fairly inexpensive. I think all sites have electricity and there is potable water at points throughout. A fair amount of trees so a fair amount of sites with at least some shade. Leaves in the fall on some of these trees very pretty. Vault toilets with electric lights and a shower facility at each location. Located close to marina/boat ramp. Next to a hyway so a little road noise but otherwise quiet during the week in the fall....

SiteI33
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Dean W., October 21, 2021
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Dean W., October 21, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2021

Steps to the water

We stayed 2 weeks. In early October, it's still warm enough to paddleboard and kayak. By mid October, the boats are being pulled off the water in preparation for winter weather. The sites are pretty well spaced, also half are waterfront. The other half are Waterview. There are vault toilets in the campground, but there are also flush toilets and a paid shower at the boat inspection station. Bring dollar bills for tokens. In Oct. it is really quiet at night even though the road runs right beside the campground. I suspect in the summer it is not as quiet. It is a very popular place for the locals. There is a marina between the 2 loop campground. The dump station is outside the campground, but is a good one. Good water pressure and potable water. There also is a potable water spicket in the loop. Electricity was stable. Deer wanderer in and out of the campgrounds and were always on the road. Beware. We stayed in site I 35 and I 36. It's about 30 min to Ft Collins, 40 min. to Loveland and 1 hr to Estes Park driving through a beautiful canyon.

Site35 and 36
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Nancy C., October 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Nancy C., October 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Nancy C., October 15, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jan. 18, 2021

Lake Camping

If you want to camp near a lake in the mountains this is a great start.

  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Mark R., January 18, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2020

Must visit

Its has a great view. Make for a nice scenic drive. Best times to go is sunrise or sunset.

Reviewed May. 7, 2020

Cross Country Team Camp

I've been taking my high school Cross Country Team here for summer camp for the past 12 years. It's the most ideal spot for running, biking, swimming, hiking, and playing.

SiteInlet Bay
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Karen S., May 7, 2020
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Karen S., May 7, 2020
  • Review photo of Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir by Karen S., May 7, 2020
Reviewed Apr. 13, 2019

Early spring shake down

If you facing the water, its awesome. Residential area directly across the street kind of felt like you are on display. Called to make sure freash water was on for the season and was told it was. Showed up at 5pm and water was NOT on!

Reviewed Sep. 28, 2018

Beautiful

This campground was one of the most unique. When you wake up in the morning it sounds so peaceful from all the nature sounds. If you are looking to get away and go somewhere quiet and beautiful, this is the place to be!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir?

Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

Are fires allowed at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir?

There are 54 campsites at Inlet Bay Campground — Horsetooth Reservoir and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts