Lake Nighthorse Swim Beach

Swim Beach Rules

• Children 12 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times
• Watercraft not permitted within the swimming area, except safety personnel
• Swimpants required for children who are not toilet trained
• Remote-control watercraft toys not permitted
• No Head first entry into the water
• Glass containers are prohibited
• Swim at your own risk
• Fishing not permitted
• Hazards not marked
• Pets are not allowed

Paddle craft launch ramp

There is a new separate hard-surface launch ramp for paddle craft at the swim beach. Convenient loading/unloading parking spaces connect to a crusher fine gravel path leading directly to the new launch ramp. This launch ramp connects paddlers to the no motorized craft zone and the newly expanded no wake zone along the north shore of Lake Nighthorse.

Wibit Aqua Park at the Swim Beach: June 4 - September 5, 2022 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Wibit Aqua Park Rules:

• All guests using the Aqua Park are required at all times to wear a life jacket (available on site)
• Children under 12 years will need to be accompanied by an adult when using the Aqua Park
• No paddle craft allowed inside the yellow safety buoys
• Remove watches, jewelry, keys or other sharp objects before entering the Aqua Park
• Never swim underneath any of the inflatables
• No floatation devices other than a life jacket allowed on the Aqua Park 
• No diving or sliding headfirst off the Aqua Park
• Shoes not allowed on the Aqua Park
• Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated

Activities & Programs At Lake Nighthorse

Activities and Programs offered at Lake Nighthorse

The City of Durango partners with local businesses & organizations to offer recreational opportunities at Lake Nighthorse. 

Activities & programs may be modified due to COVID-19. Please contact each business directly for details of their programs:

• 4Corners Riversports offers onsite SUP, kayak, and canoe rentals as well as paddling lessons and group rates for birthday parties or other events. For more information, visit 4CRS website: riversports.com/lake-nighthorse-boat-rentals-kayak-canoe-sup-sail/.
• Duranglers offers guided fly fishing opportunities. For more information, visit Duranglers online at: duranglers.com.
• Peaks & Tides offers sailing classes and clinics for all ages as well as private sailing charters. Contact Peaks & Tides at (970) 903-6036 or info@peaksandtides.com.
• Southwest Foils offers eFoil lessons and tours for all ages. Contact Southwest Foils at (970) 759-6031. For more information, visit Southwest Foils at southwestfoils.com.
• Go Fish Durango offers chartered boating opportunities for small and large groups to fish or cruise. For more information, visit Go Fish Durango online at: gofishdurango.com/.
• Conscious Shift Therapy offers healing and awareness through water and art therapy at Lake Nighthorse. For more information, contact Jenny Rogers at (970) 769-2563 or jenny@durangoadventuretherapy.com.
• Colorado Outback Adventures offers wake surfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, and boat rides. For more information, visit Colorado Outback Adventures online at: coloradooutbackadventures.com or call (970) 903-1923.
• Adaptive Sports Association offers canoeing and kayaking programs that help to enrich and transform the lives of people with disabilities through sports and recreation. For more information, visit Adaptive Sports Association online at: asadurango.com or call (970) 259-0374.

Boating

Boat Inspections and Decontamination

MANDATORY BOAT INSPECTIONS AT LAKE NIGHTHORSE: Lake Nighthorse operates recreational use in compliance with the State of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) regulations for aquatic nuisance species boat inspections of all nonexempt watercraft. Please familiarize yourself with the Boater’s Guide to Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Inspections brochure prior to boating at Lake Nighthorse. Colorado Boating Statutes and Regulations are in effect at Lake Nighthorse. Click here for the 2022 Boating Handbook with Regulations and Statutes.

Lake Nighthorse restrictions do not allow jet skis, above-water exhaust, or boats with plumbed toilets and sinks at any time.

Ballasted Boat Decontamination Schedule:

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays: No decontamination of ballasted boats
• Thursday through Monday: Decontamination of ballasted boats will be limited to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Decontamination of non-ballasted boats will be available daily. Ballasted boats with valid green seal and white receipts may launch following incoming inspection and seal removal at any time when the lake is open. 

If you have an electric motor or a trailer of any kind, the watercraft, trailer and/or motor must be inspected.

IN ORDER TO RE-ENTER LAKE NIGHTHORSE, ALL MOTORIZED BOATS AND NON-EXEMPT WATERCRAFT ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN AN EXIT INSPECTION WHERE A GREEN SEAL AND RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED.

State of Colorado Parks and Wildlife Exempt Watercraft do not require mandatory boat inspections unless the watercraft are trailered. Remember Clean Drain Dry applies to all watercraft in order to protect Lake Nighthorse and waterbodies everywhere. If you are unsure if your watercraft is designated as exempt, stop at the entrance booth and a certified boat inspector will assist you. 

Fishing

FISHING REGULATIONS

All fishing at Lake Nighthorse requires a Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing license for individuals 16 years of age and older. For information on where to purchase a fishing license, click here (Where to Buy Fishing Licenses PDF).

Please review the 2022 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure prior to fishing at Lake Nighthorse: CPW Fishing Brochure

Click here to read the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) 2021 Lake Nighthorse Creel Survey.

ADA fishing dock is located adjacent to the Boat Ramp Parking Lot.

Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Kokanee Salmon have been stocked since 2011. Other species in the lake include White and Flannelmouth suckers, Fathead Minnows, Johnny Darters, and Crayfish. Fishing Regulations are:

• Bag limit is 4 trout per day and 8 in possession (no size limit restrictions).
• Anglers can use traditional baits (see Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure for definitions; e.g., no live bait allowed).
• Limit on Kokanee Salmon is 10 per day and 10 in possession. No snagging is allowed.
• No fishing where signs are posted.
• Please put fish entrails in the garbage, not the lake.
• Aquatic Nuisance Species Boat Inspections are mandatory at Lake Nighthorse.

History

Lake Nighthorse was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Animas La Plata (ALP) Project. The lake is full and the surface area is approximately 1,500 acres at maximum elevation and the reservoir area includes a total of approximately 5,500 acres. The reservoir site is two miles from downtown Durango and provides a significant recreational amenity to the area.

2021 Lake Nighthorse wakeless use public engagement meetings

The City of Durango Parks and Recreation Department invited interested community members to virtual meetings exploring possibilities for adapting management of wakeless use at Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area. The purpose of the engagement process is not to reconsider allowable recreational uses but to discuss opportunities for adjusting the balance of existing recreational uses. 

Information from these meetings includes:

• February 22 Meeting Presentation
• February 24 Meeting Presentation
• Public comment sent to rec@durangogov.org as of 3-18-21
• Combined Questions and Answers received during these meetings
• March 10 Parks and Recreation Advisory Board adaptive management presentation.
  
  

Season Reports:

• Lake Nighthorse 2018 Season Report (PDF)
• Lake Nighthorse 2019 Season Report (PDF)
• Lake Nighthorse 2020 Season Report (PDF)

Operations Plan:

• Lake Nighthorse Operations Plan March 2018 (PDF)

Public Meeting Information:

• Lake Nighthorse Timeline (PDF)
  
• Presentation Highlights from 2-27-18 Community Meeting (PDF)

Public Meeting Summary:

• Resource Protection (PDF)
• User Conflict (PDF)
• Financial Viability (PDF)

Historical Documents: 

• Bureau of Reclamation 2016 Environmental Assessment
  
• 2014 Lake Nighthorse Final Conceptual Recreation Master Plan (PDF)
  
• Lake Nighthorse Area Map (PDF)
  
• Lake Nighthorse Economic Impact of Recreation Use (PDF)
  
• Lake Nighthorse Recreation Market Assessment (PDF)
  
• 2011 Lake Nighthorse Draft Master Plan (PDF)
  
• Lake Nighthorse Public Presentation from June 18, 2014 (PDF)
  

For questions to the City of Durango Parks and Recreation Department regarding the current status of recreation at Lake Nighthorse, please email the Parks and Rec Department