Boat Inspections
NEW: False bottom boats and rafts that have recently been launched in water bodies that are positive for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) such as Navajo Lake, Lake Powell, and the Colorado River must be inspected. If these water crafts are unable to be decontaminated due to the false bottom, they will be unable to launch at Lake Nighthorse.
Boats and non-exempt watercraft without an exit inspection documented with a seal and white receipt from another area reservoir or from a known ANS-infected lake such as Navajo Lake will be required to receive a complimentary boat inspection, which may include decontamination prior to entering the water at Lake Nighthorse. 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.
All motorized boats and non-exempt watercrafts 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
| Park Entrance Pass Options |
Price |
Daily Vehicle Entry
|
$8
|
Daily Walk/Bike-in Entry
|
$3
|
Season Pass Vehicle (1st for Household)
|
$70 |
Multiple Vehicle Season Pass (Same Household)
|
$35
|
Season Pass Senior Vehicle (1st for Household)
|
$60
|
Multiple Season Pass Senior Vehicle (Same Household)
|
$30
|
Seasonal Pass Walk/Bike-in
|
$20
|
Vehicle 5 Punch Pass
|
$30
|
Senior Vehicle 5 Punch Pass
|
$25
|
| Walk/Bike 5 Punch Pass |
$10 |
Purchasing Day Use Passes
All day use passes are non-refundable and may be purchased during hours of operation at the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse.
Purchasing Season Passes
All passes are valid during the 2018 season, April 1 through November 14 and are non-refundable. Passes may be purchased during hours of operation at the Durango Community Recreation Center, or the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse. For your convenience, you may fill out the season pass purchase form in advance by selecting the following link, print, fill out and bring with you: Lake Nighthorse Season Pass Purchase Form.
Purchasing Punch Passes
All punch passes are are good for 5 daily entrances. Passes are non-refundable and and valid through November 14, 2018. The 5 Punch Pass are transferable and may be purchased during hours of operation at the Entrance Station at Lake Nighthorse or at the Durango Community Recreation Center.
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.
Lake Nighthorse Fishing
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
MANDATORY BOAT INSPECTIONS AT LAKE NIGHTHORSE:
Lake Nighthorse will operate recreational use in compliance with the State of Colorado Department of Natural Resources 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: http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/ANS/BoatersGuideToANS.pdf
