The Incredible Colorado Road Trip That Leads to 9 Stunning Lakes

There's never a bad time for a Colorado lakes road trip—there's nothing quite like heading out on the open road to spend some time with friends or family and visit beautiful places. When embarking on a road trip, it's always a good idea to have a goal or destination in mind so you don't just end up driving around aimlessly - and, if you follow this scenic road trip itinerary, you'll have the opportunity to visit nine of our state's most beautiful lakes. Load up the car and get ready for adventure! This road trip is a fantastic way to capture the Centennial State's beauty with specific destinations in mind.

What To Know Before This Colorado Lakes Road Trip

No matter whether you choose to tackle this road trip to the best lakes in Colorado on your own, with friends, or with your entire family, you are sure to have an unforgettable adventure. The following itinerary starts just outside of Fort Collins at Horsetooth Reservoir, and you'll head southbound most of the way. The final stop on this route is one of the most incredible Colorado lakes of all—Lake San Cristobal in Hinsdale County. En route, you'll pass through epic mountain scenery and a whole bunch of great little towns. You can use this interactive map to customize your own journey.

Stop One: Horsetooth Reservoir

Okay, okay, so not every "lake" on this list is an actual LAKE—some are reservoirs. Colorado is a pretty dry state, as you surely know, so we've been forced to collect water in reservoirs. However, each body of water is still beautiful, worth visiting, and home to exceptional recreational opportunities. Horsetooth Reservoir is just outside of Fort Collins, and at 6.5 miles long and a half mile wide, it's quite large. It was built in 1949, and today, it's a popular place for boating, fishing, and swimming. Bring your swimsuit and take a dip to start your road trip.

Stop Two: Lake Estes

Lake Estes is also a reservoir; it's in the town of Estes Park and covers 185 acres. There's a 3.75-mile path around this lake if you'd like to circumnavigate it. Or, if you'd like to get out on the water here, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent at the marina from May to September. From here, you'll pass through Rocky Mountain National Park on your way to three more lakes that are right in a row.

Stop Three: Grand Lake

Grand Lake is just outside the west entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park, and it's the largest and deepest natural lake in the state—its depths reach 400 feet in some places! It's a great place for relaxing and recreation, and you'll also enjoy exploring the adorable and historic town of Grand Lake on its shore.

Stop Four: Shadow Mountain Lake

Just steps away from Grand Lake is Shadow Mountain Lake. This reservoir forms a continuous body of water with neighboring Grand Lake—the two lakes are separated only by gates. You'll love swimming, boating, and fishing on both of these bodies of water, while you enjoy the spectacular mountain views that surround you.

Stop Five: Lake Granby

Just south of the two lakes described above is Lake Granby. With 7,260 acres of surface area, it's the third largest body of water in the state after Blue Mesa Reservoir and John Martin Reservoir. This vast reservoir is popular with boaters and anglers, and it's the perfect place to spend an afternoon on the water if you have time to spare.

Stop Six: Lake Dillon

Located between Dillon and Frisco, this popular reservoir is just off I-70. If you break this road trip into multiple days (which we recommend), this is an excellent place to stop for the night. You can stay in any one of several campgrounds on Lake Dillon's shores or in the mountains above it, or you might get a hotel in Dillon, Frisco, Keystone, or in nearby Breckenridge.

Stop Seven: Turquoise Lake

Next, head west on I-70 and then pass through Leadville to visit Turquoise Lake. This lake was created by the construction of Sugar Loaf Dam in the 1960s. It's quiet and serene, and it's a lovely place to camp and hike. I make a point to spend some time camping at Turquoise Lake every year!

Stop Eight: Twin Lakes

We said that this road trip would take you nine stunning lakes, but you'll actually visit ten since Twin Lakes are actually two! This pair of adjacent lakes were carved by glaciers; both East and West Lakes are used for boating and fishing and as reservoirs for the Front Range. The town of Twin Lakes is also a great place to relax and have a meal.

Stop Nine: Lake San Cristobal

It's a three hour drive to the final lake on our list, but when you get there, you're sure to find the journey well worth it. Lake San Cristobal was created when a landslide resulted in a natural dam about 700 years ago. This lake is only about two miles long, but it's breathtaking to view, and you'll love visiting it and spending time near it at the end of your trip.

This road trip to the best lakes in Colorado will be a great time for anyone who gives it a whirl! It involves quite a bit of driving, but you'll experience so much beauty along the way that the miles and hours will just fly by. We recommend planning multiple days for this adventure so you can stop and enjoy each stop, whether fishing, swimming, or even just capturing gorgeous views. Plus, there are many small towns along your way for great places to stay, or you may consider staying at one of the many campgrounds along the way. Either way, this road trip is a beautiful adventure.

This Colorado road trip idea is an excellent summer adventure. If you are looking for even more things to do in the summer in Colorado, check out some of our favorite warm-weather activities in the Centennial State. And, don't forget to check out some of our favorite Colorado road trip itineraries we've created over the years for some travel inspiration.