Trip ideas while visiting Durango in Colorado
Lake Nighthorse is a 1,500-acre reservoir located just two miles southwest of downtown Durango, created by the Ridges Basin Dam as part of the Animas-La Plata Project. This striking body of water, surrounded by the high-desert mesas and rolling juniper hills of the Colorado Plateau, opened to full public recreation in 2018 after decades of planning and construction. The lake was named in honor of former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, who represented Colorado and was instrumental in securing federal support for the water project that made the reservoir possible.
The creation of Lake Nighthorse involved one of the largest earth-fill dams constructed in the United States during the late 20th century, with the Ridges Basin Dam rising 273 feet above the valley floor. The reservoir was designed to settle water rights claims held by the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes while also providing a reliable municipal water supply for Durango and surrounding communities. Construction on the massive infrastructure project began in 2001 and was substantially completed by 2011, with the lake reaching its full capacity of 120,000 acre-feet of water shortly thereafter.
The Animas-La Plata Water Conservancy District manages public recreation at Lake Nighthorse in partnership with the City of Durango, operating a well-organized day-use area with modern amenities. The main recreation entrance provides paved parking, restroom facilities, picnic shelters, and a designated swim beach with lifeguard supervision during the peak summer months. A daily entrance fee supports ongoing maintenance and the preservation of the lake’s pristine water quality, which remains among the cleanest of any reservoir in Colorado.
Swimming at Lake Nighthorse is one of the most refreshing summer activities in the Durango area, with a generously sized swim beach featuring soft sand and clearly marked swimming zones protected from boat traffic. The water stays pleasantly cool through July and August, offering a welcome escape from the high-desert heat that can push temperatures into the 90s during midsummer afternoons. The swim area includes a floating dock and a designated inflatable water park with climbable obstacles and slides that appeal to families with children of all ages.
Paddle sports are exceptionally popular on Lake Nighthorse, with the reservoir’s calm surface and stunning mountain backdrop creating ideal conditions for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. The lake features a dedicated non-motorized zone along its eastern shore where paddlers can explore quiet coves without wake disturbance from powerboats. Several local outfitters in Durango offer kayak and paddleboard rentals with convenient delivery directly to the lake, making it easy for visitors to enjoy the water without transporting their own equipment.
Boating and waterskiing are permitted across most of Lake Nighthorse, with a concrete boat ramp providing easy launching access near the main recreation area. The reservoir’s generous size allows for wakeboarding, waterskiing, and tubing without the crowding common at smaller regional lakes, and the surrounding terrain shields the water from strong winds on all but the stormiest days. Colorado Parks and Wildlife enforces mandatory aquatic nuisance species inspections for all trailered boats before launching, a program that has successfully kept the lake free of invasive zebra and quagga mussels.
Fishing on Lake Nighthorse has steadily improved since the reservoir first filled, with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocking program establishing healthy populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, and smallmouth bass. The lake’s deep, cold water supports excellent trout habitat year-round, and anglers report successful catches from both the shoreline and from boats during the early morning and evening hours. A valid Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 years or older, and the lake operates under standard statewide regulations for bag and possession limits.
The trail system surrounding Lake Nighthorse offers more than eight miles of multi-use paths for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking with panoramic views of the La Plata Mountains and the Hermosa Cliffs. The shoreline loop trail provides a relatively flat and accessible route suitable for families with children and visitors seeking a leisurely walk in a scenic high-desert environment. More ambitious hikers and bikers can connect to the extensive Durango trail network that extends from the lake into the foothills of the San Juan Mountains, opening up dozens of additional route options.
Wildlife viewing around Lake Nighthorse is rewarding throughout the seasons, with the reservoir attracting bald eagles, ospreys, great blue herons, and a variety of migratory waterfowl that use the open water as a stopover during spring and fall migrations. Mule deer and elk are frequently spotted grazing along the shoreline during the early morning hours, and coyotes patrol the surrounding mesas at dawn and dusk. The combination of riparian habitat, open water, and high-desert scrubland supports a diverse ecosystem that birdwatchers and nature photographers will find particularly rewarding.
Summer from June through August is the peak recreation season at Lake Nighthorse, with warm daytime temperatures, full lifeguard coverage at the swim beach, and all amenities operating at full capacity. The recreation area opens daily at 8 a.m. during these months, and weekends can draw substantial crowds, so arriving early is strongly recommended for securing preferred parking and beach spots. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Colorado high country, and all visitors should exit the water immediately at the first sign of lightning for their safety.
Fall from September through October brings cooler temperatures and dramatically reduced crowds, making this an excellent season for quiet paddling, shoreline hiking, and photography as golden cottonwoods and aspens frame the lake against a brilliant blue sky. The water remains warm enough for swimming through early September, and fishing conditions improve as trout become more active in the cooling water temperatures. The recreation area shifts to reduced hours in October, and visitors should check the Lake Nighthorse website for current operating schedules before heading out.
Spring from April through May offers the first comfortable outdoor days at Lake Nighthorse, with wildflowers appearing along the shoreline trails and migrating birds returning to the reservoir in impressive numbers. The water temperature is still quite cold during these months, making swimming impractical for most visitors, but the trails and picnic areas are fully enjoyable in the mild spring sunshine. The recreation area generally reopens for the season in April, with limited weekday hours that expand as summer approaches and demand increases.