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Map of Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach
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Shore entry

Horsetooth Reservoir - Sunrise Beach

Colorado, United States
Open Water suggested2–15 m 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 Smallmouth bass, Walleye, and Rainbow trout. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Wind model · graded 2h 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

Best: Fri
Sun6:00–21:00
Mon6:00–21:00
Tue6:00–21:00
Wed6:00–21:00
Thu6:00–21:00
Fri6:00–21:00
Sat—

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:21 · Sunrise 5:52 · Sunset 20:21

Source: Open-Meteo wind · graded 2h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

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.

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. Jan94% 8 kn
  2. Feb89% 8 kn
  3. Mar81% 10 kn
  4. Apr80% 11 kn
  5. May82% 10 kn
  6. Jun90% 9 kn
  7. Jul96% 9 kn
  8. Aug94% 9 kn
  9. Sep94% 9 kn
  10. Oct94% 9 kn
  11. Nov92% 8 kn
  12. Dec86% 8 kn

July hastypically 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

  • Smallmouth bassCommonly seen
  • WalleyeOccasionally seen
  • Rainbow troutOccasionally seen
  • CrayfishCommonly seen

Fills & rentals nearby

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

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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