Federal Lands Access Program: Carter Lake
Federal Lands Access Program: Carter Lake
In partnership with Central Federal Lands Highway Division (CFLHD), Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is undertaking a comprehensive project aimed at enhancing and repairing several recreational sites near Horsetooth and Carter Lake Reservoirs. In 2020, LCDNR received an $8.6 million grant from the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP). LCDNR contributed $3 million from reserve funds. This funding will be used for significant paving improvements. The project aims to enhance accessibility, upgrade parking lots and campgrounds, and improve pedestrian and bike safety. The FLAP project follows extensive public input, including the 2017 Reservoir Parks Master Plan Update. Public engagement continued in 2024 through neighborhood meetings, info sessions, and a project website, involving over 5,100 community members. Construction begins this summer at Carter Lake, with completion expected in early 2026. Horsetooth Reservoir will then undergo improvements, with completion expected in 2027.
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Updates
Update June 23, 2025
- Continuation of surveying, drainage culvert layout staking, and excavation for parking lot subgrade is occurring at the Quarry Day Use Area. Contractors are hauling excess excavation (waste) materials off site.
- The Big Thompson Day Use Parking Lot is currently closed to the public as crews are utilizing the area for material staging/stockpiling.
- Continuation of stormwater management, necessary tree removal, and utility locating (pole holing) is occurring at Eagle Campground. The main access road to Eagle Campground and parking lot is closed Monday-Thursday for construction as allowed. Public use resumes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until construction completion, anticipated at the end of the summer.
- Prepping for the North Pines Access Road improvements will occur next week. A bird survey will be completed. Existing asphalt pavement removal and pulverization will begin. Flagging/traffic control measures will be in-place prior to construction activities.
Update June 9, 2025
Continuation of surveying, placement of stormwater management practices, clearing/grubbing, and excavation for parking lot subgrade is occurring at the Quarry Day Use Area. In addition, continuation of survey layout, placement of stormwater management, clearing/grubbing occurring at Eagle Campground. The main access road to Eagle Campground and parking lot is scheduled to be closed Monday-Thursday for construction as allowed. Public use resumes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until construction completion, anticipated at the end of the summer.
Update May 30, 2025
Construction mobilization will begin at Carter Lake on June 2 to ready the site for completion of the FLAP project. Construction project schedule will be forthcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carter Lake’s portion of the FLAP project is planned to be completed in 2026.
Larimer County Department of Natural Resources (LCDNR) is improving the north end of Carter Lake with a paving project, which will temporarily impact Eagle, North Pines, and Big Thompson campgrounds.
- Big Thompson Campground is transitioning into a day-use parking area and will no longer offer camping.
- Eagle and North Pines Campgrounds are open for first-come, first-served camping as availability allows.
Yes, camping will be allowed at Eagle and North Pines campgrounds at certain times. LCDNR is working with contractors to allow weekend camping or limited access as long as it’s safe. Availability will depend on the construction schedule, weather, and other factors, so only same-day reservations will be offered.
Other camping areas at Carter Lake not directly impacted by the 2025 improvement project include South Shore, Carter Knolls, and Sky View Campgrounds.
Yes, you are welcome to reserve a campsite from today to no more than 2 weeks from today if the area is open. Most of our campsites open for the season on April 1. Check the larimercamping.com reservation system for the latest availability of sites.
Yes, but access may be limited at times based on construction safety and progress.
Fishing from the shore or by boat will still be allowed during the paving project. Some areas, like the northeast and northwest corners of Carter Lake, may have temporary access closures for safety, but most shoreline access will remain open.
Boat fishing will only be restricted near the designated swim beach area, marked by “NO BOAT” buoys. These buoys may shift as the project progresses, so boaters should stay aware. Updates will be posted at boat ramps.
At first, lake access will stay the same. As construction progresses, the swim area will move to the Big Thompson Day Use area, and motorized boats will be restricted from that zone, marked by “NO BOAT” buoys. These buoys may shift, so boaters should stay alert. Updates will be posted at boat ramps.
Two of the three boat ramps at Carter Lake will be impacted at different times. South Shore ramp will stay open but may see increased traffic. North Pines will have limited parking and single-lane access. At the north ramp, overflow parking may be unavailable during construction, requiring boaters to use other areas once the lot is full.
Boaters should check ramp hours and be alert to night closures when launching. If the exit with spike strips is closed, boats may need to stay on the water overnight until the morning inspector reopens the ramp.
Swimming is allowed in the designated swim area, currently located at the corner of Dam 2 or in its future location along the northeast shore. The swim area will be marked with a swim line and 'NO BOAT' buoys to prevent motorized boats. The swim beach parking lot will stay open until the day-use parking area is built at Big Thompson, after which it will be closed. Shoreline wading is permitted along the entire reservoir shoreline, provided individuals can stand on the ground and no motorized boats can pass between them and the shoreline.
The paving project will affect several areas on the north end of Carter Lake, including Eagle overflow/day use, North Pines, and Big Thompson, as well as shoreline access along S CR 31 between the swim beach and Dam 3. While not all areas will be worked on at the same time, parking and access will change throughout the project. Pedestrian access to the shoreline will generally remain open, but visitors should follow signs and avoid construction zones. The current swim beach parking lot will stay open until the new day-use parking area at Big Thompson is completed, after which it will close.
On the east side of Carter Lake, between Dam 2 (the current swim beach) and Dam 3 (near Carter Lake Marina), parking will be affected by construction. Contractors will mark construction areas with signs and cones, so it's important to follow directions and avoid unsafe areas.
Access will be monitored throughout the project, and if safe parking is available without interfering with construction, it will be allowed.