Colorado’s scenic landscape is a big reason why many from all over the U.S. have packed their bags and moved to the Centennial State. Colorado is famed for its rugged natural beauty with high jagged mountains, thick evergreen forests, and numerous lakes, reservoirs and rivers. Several great towns and cities in Colorado are based along these waters.
Let’s explore some of the communities in Colorado that are located along scenic stretches of water, perfect for those that enjoy fishing, boating, and sunbathing.
Fort Collins
Fort Collins is a northern Colorado city home to 166,000, famed for its Old West past and setting along Horsetooth Mountain. The town is well-known for its excellent restaurants, craft breweries, and history museums, but there are also many reservoirs worth visiting just outside of Fort Collins.
Horsetooth Reservoir is a popular destination in the summer, with its waters filled with boaters, swimmers, fishers, and even scuba divers. Fossil Creek Reservoir is relatively smaller, with numerous hiking trails, picnic areas, and fishing points. There are many other smaller reservoirs near Fort Collins, all adding to its postcard-worthy look.
Dillon
Dillon is a small town with a central Summit County location, making it a popular access point to many high-end ski resorts. It is located along Tenderfoot Mountain, which gives it a rugged appeal, and excellent hiking trails and golf courses flank the town. The outdoor recreation opportunities in Dillon are excellent, and a big reason why is the Dillon Reservoir.
The Dillon Reservoir, often called Lake Dillon, is a large freshwater reservoir that borders the town. While you can’t go swimming in the Dillon Reservoir due to cold temperatures, you can still enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the water while enjoying gorgeous mountain views. There are also many trails and areas to explore along the water, and several campgrounds make for beautiful overnight stays.
Steamboat Springs
Steamboat Springs is a mountain town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Places such as the Howelsen Hill ski area and Steamboat ski resort make Steamboat Springs a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. The town itself is quaint, with incredible mountain views and tree-lined streets. What separates Steamboat Springs from any other mountain town in Colorado is the town’s unique hot springs near the city center.
Steamboat Springs has geothermal hot springs that are soothing and therapeutic. There are several hot springs throughout the area, including the famous Old Town Hot Springs in the heart of downtown. This includes waterslides, a fitness center, and a hot springs-fed pool. There are also more private and nature-centric hot springs like the Strawberry Park Hot Springs.
Loveland
Loveland is a mid-sized city north of Denver. It is best known as one of the centers of Colorado’s art scene, with numerous public art parks featuring outdoor installations and sculptures. Loveland is less than an hour’s drive to Rocky Mountain National Park and has stunning mountainous views, but it is also known for the several bodies of water it borders.
Boyd Lake is a large body of water outside Loveland along Boyd Lake State Park. This is a large lake with beaches, marinas, and public areas, and all summer, it is a hotspot for Loveland locals. Swimming, hiking, fishing, and camping are all wildly popular in this area, and it is a perfect destination to enjoy some outdoor recreation.
