Once motorized boating is restricted due to construction activities, the Parks and Recreation Department will accept reservations for complimentary boat and trailer inspections by contacting the Lake Nighthorse entrance station at (970) 375-7335.  This service will continue until the boat ramp is open for motorized boating and launching from trailers when daily boat inspections will resume.

Boats without an exit inspection documented with a seal and white receipt from another area reservoir or from a known Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) infected lake such as Navajo Lake should contact Lake Nighthorse regarding a complimentary boat inspection and obtain a certified seal to enter the Lake when motorized boating is available.  Boats with motors that have most recently visited Navajo Lake, which is infected with Eurasian Watermilfoil, a known ANS plant species, will be required to have the motor flushed with hot water to decontaminate the vessel.  The Durango Parks and Recreation Department encourages boaters to obtain the advance boat inspection to avoid potential delays to entry at Lake Nighthorse.

In the future, all motorized boats are encouraged to obtain an exit inspection when leaving area lakes prior to coming to Lake Nighthorse.  These inspections are documented by certified officials and verified with a seal and receipt.  Out of state motorized watercraft are permitted at Lake Nighthorse, however, boats will be subject to a high-risk inspection and possibly delayed entry dependent upon the findings of the inspection.  All decontaminations are dependent upon staff and resource availability.

Lake Nighthorse Entrance Fees

All day use passes may be purchased during hours of operation at the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse.

All annual passes may be purchased during hours of operation at the Durango Community Recreation Center, or the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse, beginning Sunday April 1. For your convenience, you may fill out the annual pass purchase form in advance by selecting the following link, print, fill out and bring with you: Lake Nighthorse Annual Pass Purchase Form.

Please note the following:

• Vehicle Passes require proof of vehicle registration at the time a vehicle pass is purchased. This includes Vehicle, Multiple Vehicle, and Senior Passes.
  • Annual vehicle passes are windshield decals that must be affixed to the windshield of your vehicle to be valid.
  • Removing the decal or passing the decal between vehicles invalidates the pass.

• Bike or Walk-In Passes may be purchased during hours of operation at either the Durango Community Recreation Center or at the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse.
  • If purchasing this pass at the Recreation Center, you will be issued an identification card to show upon entry at Lake Nighthorse.
  • If purchasing this pass at the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse, you will be entered into the City database and given a paper receipt for purchase. Your identification card can then be picked up at the Recreation Center at your earliest convenience.

FISHING REGULATIONS: 
All fishing at Lake Nighthorse requires a Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishing license for individuals 16 years of age and older. Please review the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure prior to fishing at Lake Nighthorse: http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/fishing.pdf

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 in the fall.
• No fishing around the boat ramp
• Please put fish entrails in the garbage, not the lake

Lake Nighthorse Aquatic Nuisance Species Boat Inspections