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Map of Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach
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Shore entry

Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach

Colorado, United StatesDirections
Open Water suggested2–15 m (5–50 ft) depthShore entry

Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach at a glance

Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach is a shore dive site in Colorado, United States with depths of 1.5–15.2 m (5–50 ft). Typically most favorable Jul · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Walleye, Smallmouth bass, and Crayfish. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Favorable window now· until 19:00 · sunset 18:06

Wind forecast for this hour · 17:00 · run 6 h ago
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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Cold water and thermoclines; limited visibility after wind or rain; heavy summer boat traffic; altitude (~5,400 ft).

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Sun12:00–19:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Mon8:00–19:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Tue8:00–19:00 favorable

6 kn wind (6 kn wind)

Wed8:00–19:00 favorable

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Thu8:00–19:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Fri8:00–18:00 favorable

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Sat8:00–18:00 favorable

5 kn wind (5 kn wind)

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 6:55 · Sunrise 7:23 · Sunset 18:06 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 11:22 GMT-6

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Smallmouth bass, Crayfish
Best time: Early summer mornings, calm days; fall for fewer boats.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. January, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  2. February, 89% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  3. March, 81% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  4. April, 80% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 11 knots
  5. May, 82% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
  6. June, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  7. July, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots, historically most favorable
  8. August, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  9. September, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  10. October, 94% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
  11. November, 92% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
  12. December, 86% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots

July has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Sunrise Beach is the commonly used shore-entry dive area on Horsetooth Reservoir, the long foothills lake immediately west of Fort Collins. A gradual slope, silty bottom, submerged timber and rock make it a workhorse site for checkouts, refreshers and cold-water practice, with typical maximum dive depths around 50 feet and 5-10 ft visibility. As at Carter Lake, divers must notify Larimer County Natural Resources 24 hours before diving.

muckshore

Cold water and thermoclines; limited visibility after wind or rain; heavy summer boat traffic; altitude (~5,400 ft).

Reviews

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