Grand Lake is the biggest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. It is situated in Grand County, Colorado, near the source of the Colorado River. The historic village of Grand Lake, which bears its name, is situated on its northern shore. The Pinedale glacier is when the lake was formed. A natural dam was made by the glacial terminal moraine. The North Inlet and East Inlet are the lake's two naturally occurring streams; both originate in Rocky Mountain National Park, which borders the lake on three sides. One mile separates Grand Lake from the western entrance to the park. The Ute Tribe gave Grand Lake the name Spirit Lake because they thought the lake's chilly waters served as the home of departed souls.

Grand Lake is a stunning deep blue body of water situated at 8,369 feet in the high mountains. The mountain beauty in the area is very stunning. Travelers can find a little bit of everything at Grand Lake, including a famous boardwalk from the late 1800s. If you want to explore the lake by boat, go to the Grand Lake Marina. Here, you may rent a variety of boats as well as stand-up paddleboards. Water sports like wakeboarding and waterskiing are also an option.

Even in the height of summer, many people brave the cold water for a swim, and there is a swimming beach area with picnic tables. On Grand Lake, the fishing is also excellent. Grand Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado.

Location: Grand County, Colorado, United States

Crater Lake is situated in the Elk Mountains, Pitkin County of the US State of Colorado. It is the primary feature of Crater Lake National Park and is renowned for the clarity and depth of its deep blue water. Two little islets are present in Crater Lake. Wizard Island is a cinder cone that is around 128 acres in size and is situated close to the lake's western shore. Near the southern beach lies a naturally occurring rock pillar called Phantom Ship.

Since 2002, Crater Lake has been featured on one of Oregon's standard license plate designs. A one-time plate surcharge is utilized to fund the maintenance of Crater Lake National Park. On the back of the commemorative Oregon State Quarter, which was unveiled by the US Mint in 2005, is a picture of Crater Lake.

Crater Lake is perhaps one of Colorado's most beautiful natural scenes, framed by the purple-hued Maroon Bell peaks that rise majestically behind it and are reflected in its glassy surface. Numerous outdoor pursuits are accessible at Crater Lake and in the adjacent parks, including hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fishing. In the summer, visitors can stay at the campgrounds and lodges there.

Location: Pitkin County, Colorado

In the foothills west of the city of Fort Collins, Colorado, in southern Larimer County, there lies a sizable reservoir called Horsetooth Reservoir. The reservoir is roughly 1 km wide and 10 km long from north to south. The main body of the reservoir is enclosed between a number of homoclinal hills, giving it its shape and direction. On the east side, a ridge made of Dakota sandstone runs, with dams filling in any gaps. On the west side, there are two prominent ridges topped by erosion-resistant sandstones of the Lyons and Ingleside formations. A few bays and coves have been formed by gaps in these mountains, the greatest of which is Inlet Bay, which has a marina and campers.

Colorado's various reservoirs are frequently the place to go if you're seeking swimming and water sports, especially on hot summer days. One well-liked choice is the Horsetooth Reservoir, which is located near Fort Collins. Swimming, boating, and fishing are popular activities in the sizable man-made lake.

Swimming is permitted at the approved Swim Beach during the summer. There are hiking and biking trails all around the lake, and you can fish from boats or from the shore. Go to the neighborhood marina to rent kayaks, paddleboards, or boats. Here, water skiing is also permitted.

Location: Larimer County, Colorado

The third largest body of water in Colorado is Lake Granby. It was built as a result of the construction of Granby Dam, which was finished in 1950 as a part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project of the Bureau of Reclamation. Through the Farr Pump facility, water from Lake Granby is pumped through a pipeline that flows into a canal connected to Shadow Mountain Reservoir. Farr Pump Plant is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and is run by Northern Water. Lake Granby alone has a shoreline that is about 64 kilometers long. Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon are regularly stocked in the lake, which is quite popular with anglers.

Lake Granby is a refuge for outdoor enthusiasts because it is surrounded by the Arapahoe National Forest, the Arapaho National Recreation Area, and the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The area draws hikers, campers, snowmobilers, and more because of its beautiful location close to Granby, between two wilderness areas, and just below the Continental Divide.

A huge body of water, Lake Granby is teeming with opportunities for boaters, anglers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The Lake Granby Yacht Club gives its members access to the lake's surface all summer long for racing and recreational boating. The Lake Granby Yacht Club is one of the highest in the country and is situated at a height of 8,280 feet.

Location: Grand County, Colorado

The Boulder Reservoir is situated in Boulder, Colorado's northern region. It holds water for the City of Boulder and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, also known as Northern Water. The Boulder Reservoir Regional Park, which is run by the city of Boulder's Department of Parks and Recreation, is centered around the reservoir.

The artificial Boulder Reservoir is another well-known local lake that offers stunning views of Boulder's distinctive flat irons. It's one of Colorado's top locations for boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. There are numerous opportunities to board a boat on the reservoir in addition to a beach area for swimmers and sunbathers. If you'd like to experience sailing, Community Sailing of Colorado provides lessons and rentals.

You should spend the day fishing and relax on the lake by renting pontoon boats from Rocky Mountain Paddleboard. From the fishing dock or by following the Boulder Reservoir Loop Trail to find a private place, there is also good fishing for bass, catfish, crappie, rainbow trout, and walleye, among other species.

Location: Boulder, Colorado

The next position on the list of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado is Dream Lakes. East of the continental divide in northern Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to the high alpine lake known as Dream Lake. The lake is accessible from the well-known Bear Lake trailhead and is located at the foot of Hallett Peak. It is well recognized for the breathtaking views created by the surrounding high cliffs and is a well-liked location for leisurely trekking.

When the rising sun tints Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park pink and purple in the early morning, it is positively dreamy. It is one of the most well-liked destination hikes in the park as a result. Families enjoy it because it is a simple climb.

The trailhead is at Bear Lake, and it is only 2.2 miles one way. You'll cross the lovely Nymph Lake along the route, but keep on to Dream. Pay a visit in the winter if you want to explore Dream Lake with little to no other visitors. Although snowshoes are required, the ethereal light that reflects off the snow and frozen lake is worth it.

Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Larimer County, Colorado

A reservoir called Shadow Mountain Lake can be found in Grand County, Colorado, not far from the Colorado River's source. The Shadow Mountain Dam produces Shadow Mountain Lake. The lake and Grand Lake, Colorado's largest natural lake, comprise a continuous body of water that is divided by gates.

The Colorado-Big Thompson bill, passed in 1937 and responsible for the Colorado-Big Thompson Project, also gave the go-ahead for the construction of Shadow Mountain Lake. The Alva B. Adams tunnel, located at the eastern end of Grand Lake, transports water from the Grand Lake-Shadow Mountain Lake body into the Big Thompson River on the eastern side of the Continental Divide. Beginning in 1947, storage.

Salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout are among the excellent species to catch at Shadow Mountain Lake. Fly fishing is also possible in several of the nearby creeks and on the Colorado River. Summertime activities that are popular include boating, jet skiing, water skiing, sailing, and kayaking. The surrounding communities of Grand Lake and Granby provide a variety of hotel choices.

Location: Grand County, Colorado

In Gunnison County, Colorado, on the upper reaches of the Gunnison River, there is a man-made reservoir called Blue Mesa Reservoir. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built Blue Mesa Dam, a 390-foot-tall earthen fill dam on the Gunnison in 1966 for the purpose of producing hydroelectric power, to create Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest lake fully within the state.

Colorado's largest body of water, Blue Mesa Reservoir, is located close to Gunnison in western Colorado; nevertheless, it is not a natural lake. Blue Mesa, which spans 20 miles and has 96 miles of shoreline, is a lot of fun in the summer. There are two full-service marinas where you may hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and powerboats.

For the gold medal and wild trout present in these waters, guided fishing trips are also offered; however, you are allowed to fish independently as long as you possess a valid state fishing license. Eat at Pappy's Restaurant, which has a gorgeous position facing the lake, for lunch while you're at the lake. Take a seat on the terrace and savor some comfort cuisine from Colorado, like some fresh trout.

Location: Gunnison County, Colorado

One of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado is Lake San Cristobal, the second-largest natural body of water in Colorado, is one of Lake City's treasures. It was constructed more than 700 years ago as a result of a natural landslide that blocked the Gunnison River's Lake Fork and basically turned it into a reservoir. The Slumgullion Earthflow, a national natural landmark, was given to the phenomena.

When the mountains and changing hues of the sky are reflected in Lake San Cristobal outside of Lake City, it shimmers like shiny glass, especially in the early morning or around dusk.

Fishing is permitted from any of the public access locations along the shore of the lake, which has been stocked with a variety of trout. Alternately, you may go out on a boat and fish from the surface. A fishing license can be bought in Lake City or at the lake. Fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards can all be hired in Lake City. There is a public boat ramp, dock, and parking area on the west side of the lake.

Location: Hinsdale County, Colorado

The cities of Frisco, Silverthorne, and Dillon border the enormous fresh water reservoir known as Dillon Reservoir, also known as Lake Dillon, which is situated in Summit County, Colorado, United States, south of I-70. It serves as a reservoir for Denver, and Denver Water is in charge of its waters. Near the reservoir are well-known ski resorts like Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge.

Due to its proximity to four ski resorts, the Dillon Reservoir area sees a large influx of visitors during the ski season. The distance between the lake and Arapahoe Basin, a medium-sized resort, is about ten miles. A significant tourist attraction, Keystone Ski Resort, is about five miles away. One of Colorado's largest ski resorts, Breckenridge, is situated around seven miles from Dillon Reservoir. Dillon Reservoir is around eight miles away from Copper Mountain. These resorts are available all year long.

The reservoir serves as the region's primary point of interest. Ice fishing and snowmobiling are popular wintertime pastimes. The towns of Dillon and Frisco also have marinas on the reservoir for the summer months. Hundreds of sailboats may be seen docked or cruising at the Dillon Marina, which is now open. Numerous weekend racing regattas are held at Dillon Marina, which also offers sailboats for rent.

Location: Summit County, Colorado