Carter Lake Camping Overview

Carter Lake campground and recreation are is a great place to go camping year round. Just outside of Loveland on US-34, nestled within the foothills, Carter Lake is surrounded by about 1000 acres of public land to enjoy and explore in Larimer county. There are about half a dozen different campgrounds around Carter Lake which provide a wide variety of different camping experiences, more than you will find almost anywhere else in Colorado. You can go camping in the pine covered hills to the northwest of Carter Lake or camp out in the open on the scrubland on the east side of the lake. You can also enjoy a mix of the two types of camping on the south end of Carter Lake where it is more open with some shrubs and grass as well as a few trees to help break the wind. Carter Lake itself is about three miles long and about a mile wide and is able to accommodate just about any activity in the water, including water skiing, fishing, and  scuba diving. Not only does Carter Lake offer a great variety of camping experiences, it is also close to Loveland, making it a prime destination for camping trips as well as a quick day trip.

Carter Lake Campground Information

Region:

Northeast Region

Coordinates:

40.335835,-105.216667

Driving Directions:

(Park address: 1800 S.C.R. 31; Loveland, CO 80537) Take I-25 to the Berthoud Exit (Exit 250). Turn left (west) onto Highway 56 and continue for 9 1/2 miles, passing through the town of Berthoud. At the foothills, the road will curve sharply to the right (north). Turn left (west) onto County Road 8E and continue for 3 miles to the entrance station where you can purchase permits.

Map Link:

Camp Out Colorado Camping Map

Forestry:

Larimer County Natural Resources

Elevation:

5,760 Feet

Campsites:

Total (96): Pavilion (1), Standard (17), Standard Electric (70), Tent Only (8)

Season:

Peak season is April through October. Open year round.

Activities and Amenities:

Boat Gasoline, Boat Launch Ramp, Boat Mooring at some sites, Boating, Comfort Station, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Fishing, Food Concessions, Hiking Trail, Horseback Riding, Lake, Lake Front, Marina, Mountain Biking, Parking, Picnic Shelter, Picnic Tables, Picnicing, Playground, Reservable Group Pavilion, Restroom, Scuba Diving, Swimming Beach, Water Drinking, Water Skiing, Windsurfing/Sailboarding

Fishing:

Carter Reservoir       Read our camping review!
Flatiron Reservoir       Read our camping review!
Lon Hagler Reservoir      
Pinewood Reservoir       Read our camping review!

More Camping:

Flatiron Reservoir       Read our camping review!
Pinewood Reservoir       Read our camping review!

Carter Lake Campsite Details

Carter Lake is a very popular and fun place to go. Since it is so popular and so close to the Front Range, it is important to make sure that you get reservations, especially if you plan a weekend trip. You may be able to find a few open sites during the week during peak season, but these will likely be the few walk-in campsites or some of the more exposed campsites on the east side of the lake. If you plan to camp out at Carter Lake during the off season, reservations may not be available and the campsites will all be first come, first serve. Take this into consideration when planning your trip. One of the great things about Carter Lake is due to its elevation and proximity to the front range corridor, it is a prime location for off peak camping.

The kind of campsite you enjoy will depend upon the area of the lake you end up in.

On the northwest side is the North Pines campground. These campsites are set up on the hill a little bit away from the lake and the trees offer these campsites some good shelter. There are not many campsites here, so if you would like to camp in this area during the peak camping season, make sure to get reservations.

There are several campgrounds along the eastern side of the lake. These vary some, but most of the campsites are going to be more open and in a more scrubland-type setting. There are few trees as it is mostly brush land here. These campgrounds may be more open to the wind and the weather, but they do have their own advantages. The biggest one is the wildlife you are likely to see and enjoy here. You are almost guaranteed to see deer every morning and evening since they move freely around these campgrounds if it is fairly quiet. Camping in this open area, you are also likely to see much more wildlife such as foxes, rabbits, raccoons, and others.

I would like to remind all campers to always be vigilant and careful when camping. Make sure to keep a clean campsite and to maintain good outdoor habits with the wildlife in mind. Remember, never feed the animals or try to approach them. Leave them be and let them go about their business. Enjoy the opportunity to watch the wildlife and do your part so the next group of campers can do the same.

There is another large campground on the south side of the lake that is open and more suitable for large groups of campers. If you are looking to go camping with a bunch of friends or family I would suggest looking into the South Shore Campground. The sites here are a little closer than the other campsites around the lake, which is great for those who need to reserve multiple campsites. There are day use areas here as well for BBQ’s and other outdoor activities such as horseshoes and volleyball. There are also several hiking trails here that are within easy reach of the South Shore Campground.

The campsites at Carter Lake are well maintained and looked after. The tables at each site are handicap accessible, with one bench shorter than the table to allow a wheelchair.

Each campsite has a nice, sturdy campfire ring with a double-hinged grate on it. These kinds of campfire grates are nice because you can completely open it up for a good fire at night or close both sides to get a good cooking surface.

Most of the campsites have groomed and level tent pads in them. If your campsite has a tent pad, make sure that you use it. Camping outside of the pads is not permitted. This is to help preserve the vegetation around the campsite and to keep the area preserved. However, some of the campsites do not have tent pads. Instead they have open flat areas covered with grass where you can place your tent. In these sites, feel free to camp anywhere near your campsite. Just try to avoid camping exactly where the last camper did to give the vegetation on the ground time to recover. If you plan on staying at one of these sites more than 2 nights it is a good idea to actually move your tent every couple of days so you do not kill the vegetation it is on. Just sliding the tent a few feet away from where it was will be enough.

Carter Lake Campground Activities

Carter Lake has a long list of activities you can enjoy here. Besides the simple variety of camping experiences here there is a huge variety of what this Larimer county park has to offer. If you like to boat, there are areas for water skiing, sailing, surfboarding, or just about any other kind of boating you want to do. Make sure to read over the regulations for the lake and find a place on the lake that will suit your needs.
There is a swim beach at the southeastern corner of the lake. It isn’t large but it is an official swim beach. There are no lifeguards on duty so be extra careful if you go swimming. There is a section of the lake that is also open to scuba diving, something that not a lot of Colorado lakes have. This can be found about mid lake on the eastern shore. There is a small area where you can pull your vehicles in and set up lakeside.

Fishing is very popular at Carter Lake. Whether you’re trolling or jigging on the lake, or shore fishing, a wide range of fish can be caught here. Walleye are a popular sport fish here, but remember if you catch a walleye, you’ll need to release it. In fact, I would advise catch and release to all anglers unless they are specifically planning to eat what they catch. Otherwise, throw them back so they can grow bigger and be enjoyed by more anglers. As far as the walleye are concerned, there is an advisory from the Colorado Department of Wildlife that the mercury levels of walleye are reaching dangerous levels. Any walleye longer than 21 inches in length must be returned to the water immediately. Honestly, there is no reason to risk mercury poisoning. I would recommend releasing all walleye that you catch.

http://www.larimer.org/parks/consumption_advisory_carter.pdf

Along with the activities listed above, there are many activities to enjoy away from the lake as well. Hiking and rock climbing are very popular for outdoor enthusiasts. This is also a great place for bird watching and wildlife photography. With so much public land surround the lake there are many opportunities to go out and explore the wilderness.

If the weather turns or you find out that you need something from “civilization”, Loveland is very close and convenient. You can drive into town during a storm for a hot, sit down meal, or stop by one of the many stores to replace something you forgot or that was damaged..

Carter Lake Camping Summary

All in all Carter Lake Campground is an excellent place to go camping and enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer. It sits just inside the foothills a few miles west of Loveland, making it a short trip and easy to get to.  Carter Lake offers almost a half a dozen unique campgrounds, allowing each camper to find the campsite that suits them most. The lake is large enough to easily accommodate even busy summer crowds and allows nearly any water activity you want to enjoy. You’ll see a lot of wildlife in the area and the weather here is usually mild. If you enjoy camping, Carter Lake campgrounds are a “must try” along the Front Range. It is a popular place so make sure to get reservations if you are going to go during the peak season, otherwise try to start your trip mid-week. This is a great place for a family to go camping or for first time campers to enjoy. If you haven’t been to Carter Lake, put it on your list of places to visit!

If you have been camping at Carter Lake Campground please post your likes, dislikes, and suggestions. Your fellow campers would love to hear from you!