This is a big quiet lake where you can rent kayaks, stand up paddleboard‘s, canoes etc. Visitors enjoy the area for its canoeing, fishing and hiking opportunities in a scenic, natural setting. Please put fish entrails in the garbage, not the lake. Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area Map. For sale by owner. In order to protect priceless Native American artifacts as well as our environment, there are several rules and regulations to be mindful of. Altogether we added seven species that weren’t found elsewhere in the census area. Definitely a great place to go for a picnic! Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Durango, Hotels near Durango Adventures and Zipline Tours, Hotels near Durango Fish Hatchery and Wildlife Museum, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Durango, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks in Durango, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Durango, 2.5 Hour Family Rafting in Durango with Guide, Durango Family-Friendly 2-Hour Rafting Trip. Upon arrival at the lake following your online purchase, you will receive the 2021 Season Pass decal at the entrance booth. Aquatic Nuisance Species Boat Inspections are mandatory at Lake Nighthorse. Activities & programs have been modified due to COVID-19. He serves as one of forty-four members of the Council of Chiefs of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Tribe.During his time in office, he was the only Native American serving in the U.S. Congress. Create an Account - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about. If asked to leave your vehicle, please remain 6 feet from the boat inspector, lake staff, and other lake patrons. Please remain in your vehicle until the boat inspector gives you instructions regarding this inspection process. The lake is easily accessible by road bike or car. There is very little nutrition available to these wildlife during the winter months when plants are dormant, even if there is no snow, so they must conserve stored body fat until new plant growth occurs in the spring. It's one of Colorado's newest manmade lakes to open to the public, decades in the making. This is a state park, so it does cost $8 to enter for the day but it’s worth it! The virtual meetings will explore possibilities for adapting management of wakeless use at Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area. Bring a face covering and personal supply of hand sanitizer. There are restrooms, but no other facilities. It is a moment decades in the making. The annual winter bird count at Lake Nighthorse continues to indicate how valuable this winter habitat is for Southwest Colorado. Senator from Colorado from 1993 to 2005. When we pulled into Durango we came across this lake with a wrong turn. The lake began to be filled in the spring of 2009 and is expected to fill to capacity in the summer of 2011, however, completion of project construction is scheduled for 2012. As with any outdoor environment, Leave no trace principals apply and proper disposal of all trash and waste is a must. Total visitation increased by 32% over 2018 and cost recovery reached 85.5% due in part to an increase in programs and activities offered by local businesses as contracted services at Lake Nighthorse. Simply purchase your 5-punch pass at the Recreation Center or online in advance of arriving at the lake, then state your name at the entrance booth window and lake staff will electronically deduct a punch from your electronic punch pass. Lake Nighthorse is located in Durango, Colorado, and stores Animas-La Plata water for various entities, including the San Juan Water Commission. If you have an electric motor or a trailer of any kind, they must be inspected. Day passes may be purchased upon arrival at the lake by credit card, check, or cash. Please contact each business directly for details of their programs: Lifeguards on Duty from May 14 to September 6:  10 a.m. - 6 p.m. All fishing at Lake Nighthorse requires a Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing license for individuals 16 years of age and older. Please familiarize yourself with the Boater’s Guide to Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Inspections brochure prior to boating at Lake Nighthorse: Boater’s Guide (PDF). The San Juan Water Commission continues to monitor conditions around the Animas River, including flow and snowpack, to decide if it will request a release from Lake Nighthorse this month. Located 2 miles southwest of Durango, Colorado, Lake Nighthorse welcomes visitors to enjoy a picnic, swim in the lake, take a boat ride, and fish. The water commission has been discussing a release from Lake Nighthorse as a test run that would allow it to address potential issues that could emerge. This federally required seasonal closure is to protect critical winter wildlife habitat at Lake Nighthorse. We rented some kayaks and paddle boards. 35 acres lot; 75 days on Zillow. As part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, Lake Nighthorse provides water storage for tribal and water right claim-holders along the Animas River. MANDATORY BOAT INSPECTIONS AT LAKE NIGHTHORSE: Lake Nighthorse will operate recreational use in compliance with the State of Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations for aquatic nuisance species boat inspections of all nonexempt watercraft. Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a. A vendor rents paddleboards and kayaks at the lake during its seasonal hours. The City of Durango partners with local businesses & organizations to offer recreational opportunities at Lake Nighthorse. (This is the second year in a row for this rarity at Lake Nighthorse.) Please choose a different date. 210, Durango, Colorado - (970) 375-7335. Best wrong turn ever!! Lake Nighthorse was a major factor in that accomplishment!" Lake Nighthorse restrictions do not allow jet skis, above-water exhaust, or boats with plumbed toilets and sinks at any time. It first welcomed water enthusiasts on April 1, 2018. Lake Nighthorse opens for recreation Sunday. 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. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Lake Nighthorse was established by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Animas La Plata Project. You can rent paddleboards. Full details are listed below in the Entrance Passes tab. 2021 Hours of operation may vary due to COVID-19. 321 Castle Ridge Dr, Durango, CO 81303. Our community boasts four year-round restaurants , over one dozen lodging properties (offering cabins and vacation homes), three commercial RV campgrounds , six public campgrounds , and picnic areas around the Lake. Large lake with incredible scenery and beautiful water. Not only deer and elk benefit from this seasonal closure, but also water fowl. On-Site Rentals at Lake Nighthorse. 30 minutes prior to daily closure, the entrance gate will be closed to access, and boat exit inspections as well as watercraft launches will cease. Lake Nighthorse has been in discussion for nearly a century and was authorized by Congress in 1968, but has just opened to the public. San Juan Water Commission Director Aaron Chavez said the decision will likely be made later this week… 210 Durango, CO 81301 Call the entrance station for … Guarded Swim Beach Opens May 14; Motorized Recreation Begins May 15, Public comment sent to rec@durangogov.org as of 3-1-21, Combined Questions and Answers received during these meetings, Lake Nighthorse Recreational Operations (PDF), riversports.com/lake-nighthorse-boat-rentals-kayak-canoe-sup-sail/, click here (Where to Buy Fishing Licenses PDF), Lake Nighthorse Operations Plan March 2018 (PDF), Presentation Highlights from 2-27-18 Community Meeting (PDF), Bureau of Reclamation 2016 Environmental Assessment, 2014 Lake Nighthorse Final Conceptual Recreation Master Plan (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), Fort Lewis College Recreation Ball Complex, 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, Dedicated paddle craft launch area adjacent to the 107-acre non-motorized craft zone. We checked it out while visiting my daughter at college and just sat in the car watching the various water sports going on. Advance registration is required. White-winged Scoters (2 of them) were found again this year. If this release occurs, it will likely happen in March and it would cost $4,500 to $6,000 to replace the water in Lake Nighthorse. View the current conditions at Lake Nighthorse in Durango, Colorado! The lake is closed in wintertime (mid-November to late March) to protect wildlife. Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area is now closed for the winter season This federally required seasonal closure is to protect critical winter wildlife habitat at Lake Nighthorse. Lake Nighthorse background information and administrative history by City of Durango Administrative Services Dept. Map to Lake Nighthorse from Downtown Durango. No snagging is allowed. Meetings will be held 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on February 22 and 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. on February 24. Thoroughly enjoyed our two hour stop here. This year the Durango Christmas Bird Count had the highest number of species in its history. The second year of Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area being open to public recreation was a very successful year for the Durango community. Lake Nighthorse passes for the 2020 season will be available for purchase beginning January 1, 2020 at the Durango Recreation Center or online. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (born April 13, 1933) is an American Cheyenne politician who served as a U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1993, and a U.S. One beach was undergoing a remodel so it’s getting even better. We added a new species for the count, a Black Scoter. Lake Nighthorse was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Animas La Plata (ALP) Project. Lake Nighthorse was recently constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) as part of the Animas La Plata project. On the day we went. Limit on Kokanee Salmon is 10 per day and 10 in possession. - Increase your productivity, customize your experience, and engage in information you care about. We checked it out while visiting my daughter at college and just sat in … Bag limit is 4 trout per day and 8 in possession (no size limit restrictions). I drove up there in a snowstorm and it was beautiful. 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. $239,500. To ensure quality recreational experiences at Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area, here is a list of City of Durango and Bureau of Reclamation rules and regulations: Lake Nighthorse Recreational Operations (PDF). According to Vice President of the Durango Bird Club, Susan Allerton: “As in past years, the lake was an asset to our local count. more, Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Durango. Lake Nighthorse, a reservoir and recreation area south of Durango, had a record-breaking recreation season in 2020. Lake Nighthorse is a reservoir created by the 270 feet (82 m) high Ridges Basin Dam southwest of Durango in La Plata County Colorado. For example, making sure the water released from the reservoir reaches its intended destination. Full details are listed below in the Entrance Passes tab. 1795 C.R. AZTEC — If water is released from Lake Nighthorse this spring, the City of Aztec will likely divert some of it into its reservoirs as local governments attempt to gather data on the feasibility of harvesting water from that Colorado reservoir. Other species in the lake include White and Flannelmouth suckers, Fathead Minnows, Johnny Darters, and Crayfish. 2021 Season and 5-Punch Passes may be purchased in person at the Recreation Center, or online. Fishing Regulations are: In order to ensure safe operations at the Lake Nighthorse boat inspection station during  the COVID-19 Pandemic, please remain in your vehicle until given instructions by the boat inspector. 2021 Season and 5-Punch Passes may be purchased in person at the Recreation Center, or online. Lake Nighthorse is named in honor of former United States Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-Colo. Please review the 2021 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure prior to fishing at Lake Nighthorse: Fishing Brochure (PDF). If asked to leave your vehicle, please remain 6 feet from the boat inspector, lake staff, and other lake patrons. Although rare in the area, this was the fourth year we’ve seen White-winged Scoters at Lake Nighthorse on our count. Lake Nighthorse is a reservoir created by the 270 feet high Ridges Basin Dam Southwest of Durango in La Plata County Colorado. To ensure the safety of lake staff and the public, Lake Nighthorse requests that members of the public wear a face covering, bring a personal supply of hand sanitizer, maintain social distancing of six feet apart, and do not gather in groups of ten or more. Five Horned Grebes were also found this year. At 7,800 feet above sea level, Vallecito Lake is the largest body of water at this elevation or higher in Colorado. Beautiful lake! Water is glassy and very clean and the views of the surrounding mountains are lovely. ~ Page 2 alcohol, no use of drones, and no glass beverage containers. The road in to the lake was closed, but the vistas from the highway were highly photogenic. 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. There also seems to be a trail which we will hike on another visit. Map to Lake Nighthorse from Downtown Durango. Anglers can use traditional baits (see Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure for definitions; e.g., no live bait allowed). Lake Nighthorse has the capacity for an estimated 120,000 acre-feet of water. April 2021 Operating Hours – TBD. Several secluded beach areas to hangout. This Quiet Lake Nighthorse movement is a slippery slope that could lead us to a greater level of discrimination, division and entitlement. As of Sunday, there were about 107,500 acre-feet of water in the lake. We are now offering on-site rentals at Lake Nighthorse, which is less than a 3 mile drive from our store and 5 miles from downtown!We have a large selection of solo and tandem kayaks, … This lake is an excellent destination for water activities such as stand up paddle board, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming as well as sun-bathing on the lake… Lake Nighthorse was a major factor in that accomplishment!". By … This is a state park, so it does cost $8 to enter for the day but it’s worth it! Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Lake Nighthorse is a reservoir created by the 270 feet (82 m) high Ridges Basin Dam southwest of Durango in La Plata County Colorado.As part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, Lake Nighthorse provides water storage for tribal and water right claim-holders along the Animas River.. Gift cards are available any time during the year at the Durango Community Recreation Center and can be used to purchase Lake Nighthorse passes. Lake Nighthorse is located on sacred tribal land. Lake Nighthorse, Durango: See 8 reviews, articles, and 6 photos of Lake Nighthorse, ranked No.32 on Tripadvisor among 55 attractions in Durango. For information on where to purchase a fishing license, click here (Where to Buy Fishing Licenses PDF). Haviland Lake Campground is situated on its beautiful namesake within the San Juan National Forest, 18 miles north of Durango. The lake surface will be approximately Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Kokanee Salmon have been stocked since 2011. People dropped by the 1,500 surface-acre lake … As part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, Lake Nighthorse provides water storage for tribal and water right claim-holders along the Animas River. Information from these meetings includes: Wakeless management details will be posted in March 2021. 5-punch passes are no longer physical punch cards. By closing Lake Nighthorse to recreation during winter months, deer and elk that migrate to these lower elevations in winter do not have to actively move - burning stored fat as calories - to avoid humans. I would encourage you to reconsider your decision and if you are unable to add another full day of wake-free recreating maybe you could consider at … The popular campground is beautiful any time of the year. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Lake Nighthorse is an important and valuable asset to Durango and should meet the needs of those who utilize it the most. Worth spending an afternoon kayaking from one end to the other. Lake Nighthorse is located minutes from Downtown Durango at: 1795 C.R. 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 City of Farmington initially requested a possible release from the reservoir as a way to test the water delivery from Lake Nighthorse to entities in San Juan County. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Riding, as opposed to driving, offers the opportunity to enjoy the scenery, and skip the hassle of finding parking. In order to ensure safe operations at the Lake Nighthorse boat inspection station during the COVID-19 Pandemic, please remain in your vehicle until given instructions by the boat inspector. Named for former U.S. Now open for the 2020 season! 3 results. ADA fishing dock is located adjacent to the Boat Ramp Parking Lot. 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. The water was clear blue..beach and parking lot very clean. Lake Nighthorse is a reservoir created by the 270 feet (82 m) high Ridges Basin Dam southwest of Durango in La Plata County Colorado.As part of the Animas-La Plata Water Project, Lake Nighthorse provides water storage for tribal and water right claim-holders along the Animas River.. History. The reservoir site is two miles from downtown Durango and provides a significant recreational amenity to the area. Homes for You Price (High to Low) Price (Low to High) Newest Bedrooms Bathrooms Square Feet Lot Size. 2021 Season and 5-Punch Passes may be purchased in person at the Durango Community Recreation Center located at 2700 Main Ave. You may also purchase them online by clicking this link: PURCHASE ONLINE NOW. it wasn’t super busy. FARMINGTON – The San Juan Water Commission “decided to test the system” and request a release from Lake Nighthorse to see if water can be collected for San Juan County, New Mexico, residents. Sort by: Newest. Views Of Lake Nighthorse - Durango CO Real Estate.