There might be no better way to find serenity than by gazing at or floating on a mountain lake’s crystalline waters. And then a motorboat roars by and jerks your mind back into the 21st Century.
Quiet isn’t given in a state as populous as Colorado, especially on the Front Range. But you can find it. And when you do, paddling a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard, fishing along the shore, or just gazing at the scenery, you’ll understand what motivated John Denver to write his great ode to Colorado.
“His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand. The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake” – John Denver, “Rocky Mountain High”
With that in mind, here’s a list of quiet lakes to add to your summer travel plans where the wake from motorboats won’t jostle or flip a paddleboard.
You can drive to all of them, though some roads are rough.
Chambers Lake
This pretty lake is about 60 miles northwest of Fort Collins, off Cameron Pass, just north of Rocky Mountain National Park. It is in a pine forest with long views of nearby peaks.
This is a cold place. The lake and campground don’t usually open until late June and close in late September. The 255-acre lake is perfect for a relaxing paddle or float.
There’s a large campground adjacent to the lake, with a $30 per-night fee. Given its proximity to the Front Range, the area gets lots of use, so reservations are recommended at recreation.gov.
Getting there: Drive 10 miles north of Fort Collins on U.S. 287. Turn west onto Colorado 14 and travel approximately 51 miles. Turn north onto a signed road into the campground.
Haviland Lake
Twenty miles north of Durango, 80-acre Haviland is practically next to a major highway, but you’ll still feel a world apart. Imposing cliffs and distant peaks tower over the lake, creating a perfect place for a relaxing float.
Above the lake, there’s a 43-site campground with overnight fees of $27 to $54. You can make reservations at recreation.gov.
Getting there: Head north on U.S. 550 from Durango for 20 miles and turn right at the Haviland Lake State Wildlife Area sign.
North Fork Reservoir
This stunning lake west of Salida is tough to reach but worth it. The 6-mile stretch of Forest Service Road 240 is steep, narrow, and rocky, so you’ll want a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle. But rattle your way up to the lake, and that headache will disappear.
The lake is at 11,000 feet in a gorgeous alpine bowl. You won’t believe you can drive to such a place.
There’s a small, primitive campground. It’s first-come, first-served and has a $20 per night fee.
Getting there: From Salida, head west for 11 miles on U.S. 50 to County Road 240 at the Angel of Shavano Campground sign. The road gets rough past the campground.
At 13,971 feet, Mount Ouray towers over O’Haver Lake. (Photo by R. Scott Rappold/Special to The Denver Post)O’Haver Lake
The pretty lake is easy to reach from Poncha Pass in southern Colorado and can be driven in any car. This makes it a hugely popular destination on summer weekends. Visit, and you’ll see why. At 13,971 feet, Mount Ouray towers over the lake, and its peak seems so close you could reach out and touch it.
The lake is only 15 acres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in scenery. There’s a 32-site campground around the lake; most sites have great lake views.
The camping fee is $28 per night, and reservations can be made at recreation.gov. The first-come, first-served sites are usually full by Thursdays.
Day use fee: $10 per vehicle if not camping.
Getting there: From U.S. 285 on Poncha Pass, turn on County Road 200 for 2 miles and then County Road 202 for 2.5 miles.
Pearl Lake State Park
Located north of Steamboat Springs, you won’t find swimmers or water skiers at this 167-acre lake. Ringed by green mountains and stunning any time of year (but especially in fall), there’s a 36-site campground for those who don’t want to leave the scenery behind.
The camping fee is $28 per night, and reservations can be made at cpwshop.com.
Day use fee: $10 per vehicle
Getting there: From Steamboat, go west two miles on U.S. 40 to County Road 129, then turn right. Go north 23 miles to Pearl Lake Road, turn east, and drive the final two miles to the park.
Sylvan Lake State Park
Escape the hustle and bustle of the Interstate 70 corridor in the mountains at this small lake tucked among the hills. Its glassy waters are ideal for human-powered boats. A 44-site campground overlooks the lake, with cabins and yurts available to rent. “Sylvan” means a peaceful, wooded place, and that’s what you’ll find.
The camping fee is $28 per night, and reservations can be made at cpwshop.com.
Entry fee: $10 per vehicle
Getting there: From Eagle, take Sylvan Lake Road for 1.7 miles. Turn south on Brush Creek Road and travel nine miles to the visitor center.
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