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ATTENTION: Rainfall Warning : Due to unprecedented rainfall in 2023, gravel road conditions at Carter Lake are in varying levels of disrepair. The Carter Lake maintenance team is working to repair the conditions, as weather permits. Your patience is appreciated as we address the infrastructure challenges caused by heavy rain. Please drive slowly and use caution to limit additional damages as you travel through the area.
ENTRANCE PERMIT REQUIRED : Park entrance permits, one for each vehicle and one for your trailered watercraft, are required for each day in addition to camping fees. Purchase vehicle entrance permits prior to arrival at your campsite. For more info, please visit: https://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/permits
  • Effective November 2021: Daily Entrance Permits can be purchased online with a camping reservation. To show proof of Daily Permits, print and display the first page of your confirmation email and place it on the lower corner passenger side dashboard area of the corresponding vehicle.
  • Each reservation is for one camping unit per site. (A camping unit is defined as a wheeled unit used to sleep in such as RVs, 5th wheels, trailers, pop-ups, etc.) Second units are NOT allowed at any campsite or cabin, but additional ground tents are allowed. (Call 970-619-4570 with questions.)

  • Carter Lake, CO

    Carter Lake is located in the foothills west of Loveland at an elevation of 5,760 feet. It 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 ...
    Status: Open year round.
    Alerts and Important Information

    Book a Campsite at Carter Lake, CO

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    Common Attributes Group
    Find your spotFind other facilities on map
    Campsite Search Results: 1-25 of 121 Previous | Next
    Max # of people
    Equip length/ Driveway
    Amenities
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    124 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    112 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    130 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    109 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    114 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    127 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    150 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    140 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    137 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    101 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    100 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    128 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    152 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    45 Back-In
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    124 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Eagle Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    110 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6 Accessible
    30 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6 Accessible
    48 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8 Accessible
    28 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6
    28 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6
    35 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed - no Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6
    35 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6
    30 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    8
    30 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    South Shore Campground
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    6
    28 Pull-Through
    Electric Hookup: 50 Full Hookup - no
    Pets Allowed Near Water - no
    Campsite Search Results: 1-25 of 121 Previous | Next
    Overview

    Description

    Carter Lake is located in the foothills west of Loveland at an elevation of 5,760 feet. It 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. Three miles long and about one mile wide, Carter Lake is a 1,100-acre reservoir surrounded by 1,000 acres of public lands and is popular for fishing, sailing, camping, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing, and water skiing. It is open year round. Park Entrance Permits and Camping Fees are required.

    Services and Amenities
    Within Park
    • Boat Gasoline
    • Boat Launch Ramp
    • Boat Mooring at some sites
    • Boating
    • Campfire Programs
    • Comfort Station
    • Drinking Water
    • Dump Station
    • Fishing
    • Food Concessions
    • Hiking Trail
    • Horseback Riding
    • Lake
    • Lake Front
    • Marina
    • Mountain Biking
    • Parking
    • Picnic Shelter
    • Picnic Tables
    • Picnicing
    • Playground
    • Reservable Group Pavilion
    • Restroom
    • Scuba Diving
    • Showers
    • Swimming Beach
    • Water Drinking
    • Water Skiing
    • Windsurfing/Sailboarding
    Fees and Cancellation Policies

    Facility Rates*
    Park Season
    Site Type
    Nightly/Daily Rates
    Non Peak Season
    Oct 01 2023 -
    Mar 31 2024
    WALK TO
    $25.00
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    $25.00-$30.00
    STANDARD
    $25.00
    PAVILION
    $50.00
    GROUP ELECTRIC
    $125.00-$150.00
    Peak Season
    Apr 01 2024 -
    Sep 30 2024
    WALK TO
    $25.00-$35.00
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    $25.00-$55.00
    STANDARD
    $25.00-$35.00
    PAVILION
    $50.00
    GROUP ELECTRIC
    $175.00-$275.00
    Non Peak Season
    Oct 01 2024 -
    Mar 31 2025
    WALK TO
    $25.00
    STANDARD ELECTRIC
    $25.00-$30.00
    STANDARD
    $25.00
    PAVILION
    $50.00
    GROUP ELECTRIC
    $125.00-$150.00

    *Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges

    **Weekly rates may not be available for all sites

    Getting There
    GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
    40.33583, -105.21667
    40°20'9"N, 105°13'0"W

    (Park address: 1800 S.C.R. 31; Loveland, CO 80537) Take I-25 to the Berthoud Exit (Exit 250). Turn left (west) onto Highway 56 and continue for 9 1/2 miles, passing through the town of Berthoud. At the foothills, the road will curve sharply to the right (north). Turn left (west) onto County Road 8E and continue for 3 miles to the entrance station where you can purchase permits.
    Contact Information

    Mailing Address:

    Carter Lake
    1800 SOUTH COUNTY ROAD 31
    LOVELAND  CO  80537
    Phone Number:
    Information:  (970)619-4570
    Photos