In order to ensure safe operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic, season and 5-punch passes are available online.

Upon arrival at the lake following your online purchase, you will receive the 2020 Season Pass decal at the entrance booth.

5-punch passes are no longer physical punch cards. Simply purchase your 5-punch pass 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.

Day passes may be purchased upon arrival at the lake by credit card, check, or exact cash amount.

Park Entrance Pass Options

• Day Pass Vehicle Entrance  $8
• Day Pass Walk/Bike Entrance  $3
• Day Pass Commercial Vehicle $20 (NEW!)
• Season Pass Vehicle:
  • 1st for Household  $70
  • Multiple Vehicle (Same Household)  $35
• Season Pass Vehicle Senior *:
  • 1st for Household  $60
  • Multiple Vehicle Senior (Same Household)  $30
• Season Pass Walk/Bike  $20
• 5-Punch Pass Vehicle  $30
• 5-Punch Pass Vehicle Senior *  $25
• 5-Punch Pass Walk/Bike  $10

 * Senior is 62 years and over

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 have been 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/
• 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.
• Colorado Outback Adventures offers leisure boat rides or water sports sessions for your choice of wake boarding, wake surfing or water skiing. Click here for full details or for more information, visit Colorado Outback Adventure website: coloradooutbackadventures.com. 
• Durango Adventure Therapy offers healing and awareness through water and art therapy at Lake Nighthorse. "Adventure" therapy sessions are tailored to match participant(s) needs. Click here for full details.

Why is Lake Nighthorse closed for the winter? The winter seasonal closure of Lake Nighthorse from November 15 through April 2 protects important wildlife habitat. Lake Nighthorse Recreation Area is located within critical winter habitat for elk and mule deer and being a new water body, it is becoming more important to bird species over time. Durango Bird Club volunteers conduct an annual Christmas Bird Count at Lake Nighthorse and they are seeing more diversity and bird activity that is unique to Durango and Southwest Colorado in general as a result of this new habitat. Click here to read more from the Durango Herald: Lake Nighthorse Changing the Game for Annual Bird Count.

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 2020 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure prior to fishing at Lake Nighthorse: Fishing Brochure (PDF)

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.

Boat Inspections and Decontamination

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. If asked to leave your vehicle, please remain 6 feet from the boat inspector, lake staff, and other lake patrons.

Bring a face covering and personal supply of hand sanitizer.

If you have an electric motor or a trailer of any kind, they must be inspected. Please remain in your vehicle until the boat inspector gives you instructions regarding this inspection process.

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. 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)

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

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.

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.

Season Reports:

• Lake Nighthorse 2018 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