The Aurora Reservoir is the main water supply for the city of Aurora. Construction began in 1987 and the reservoir opened up to the public in 1991. Water travels to the reservoir by a network of mountain reservoirs, pipes and drainage basins, including the Colorado South Platte and Arkansas rivers.
The eight-mile lake trail is open year-round for biking and walking. The reservoir also offers a scuba beach, a swim area, an archery range, boating, and seasonal paddleboard and kayak rentals. Visitors can also utilize restrooms with showers and lockers, a playground and picnic areas. Specific picnic shelters are available to rent for family and corporate events. The lake has 11.5 miles of shoreline, an average elevation of 5,931 feet and covers 820 surface acres - with the deepest point at 110 feet!
The reservoir is teeming with life and has become a popular spot for fishing in the Front Range. The reservoir is stocked regularly and three state record fish have been caught at the reservoir. Pronghorn and mule deer roam the area, along with bald eagles, hawks, great horned owls, migrating gulls, beavers, and various songbirds.
Aurora Reservoir Hours of Operation
The Aurora Reservoir is open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
• Jan. - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Feb. - 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• March - 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• April - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• May - 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• June - 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• July - 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Aug. - 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sept. - 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Oct. - 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Walk-in Gates: Walk-in gates are located on along the southern property line of the reservoir. Weather permitting, the gates will be opened a half hour after the front gate is opened and will be locked a half hour before the front gate is locked. Walk-in gates are for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Park Opens: When the front gate opens.
Park Closes: When the front gate will be closed and locked. Visitors must exit before this time to avoid getting locked in and/or receiving a summons.
Annual Passes/Day Passes
• Annual Passes are $85 ($75 Resident)
• Day Passes are $10 to $15 (Based on season)
• Watercraft Passes are $20
Aurora Reservoir passes (annual or daily) are required on ALL vehicles entering the park. Learn more about passes, fees and discounts.
Annual/Day Passes
• Aurora Reservoir is NOT a Colorado State Park.
The State Park pass you purchased with your car registration does not apply at Aurora Reservoir.
• Aurora Reservoir passes (annual or daily) are required on ALL vehicles entering the park. Patrons must pay for daily admittance passes at one of the self-service stations that are located just past the main entry gate or in the East Lot. While Entry Station is being repaired, passes can be purchased in the Lower Lot parking area, where boat inspections take place.
• Passes are not transferrable and must be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. Day passes are $10 in the off-season, and $15 during the summer. Annual passes are $85 and discounts may apply. Learn more about Aurora Reservoir passes.
Boating at Aurora Reservoir
• Gas motors are not permitted. Boats must use an electric trolling motor. Learn more about boating at Aurora Reservoir.
• Entrance inspections are required for all trailered watercraft. Exit inspections are offered upon leaving. All watercraft are expected to be CLEAN, DRAINED, and DRIED when leaving the reservoir to help stop the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS).
• Aurora Reservoir does not offer decontamination services.
State boating law requires a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket for each person on board any watercraft. No hard alcohol. Beer and wine are permitted and no glass bottles or glass containers.
Learn more about boating at Aurora Reservoir.
Dogs at Aurora Reservoir
• Dogs are allowed in the park and must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beaches, in the water or on the ice. The Water Department has this rule in place to protect our drinking water and the quality of the beaches.
Shelters and Picnics at Aurora Reservoir
• Personal grills for cooking (charcoal or gas) are permitted and must be used in the main picnic areas but not on the beaches or in the native grass areas.
• The picnic areas where grills are permitted are located above the beaches behind the white fence. Picnic shelters have a charcoal grill for your cooking needs.
• Amplified sound for music or speaking presentations is permitted but guests must keep the volume low to not bother the other guests nearby. Groups will be required to turn down any volume that leads to complaints, in order to be considerate of the other guests in the park.
Other rules may apply to your visit to facilitate your safety and enjoyment. See the full list of rules and regulations here.
• Archery
• Beach volleyball area (Details below)
• Boating
• Fishing
• Hiking trails for biking or walking (Details below)
• Nature center (Reservoir programming)
• Open water swim training course
• Paddleboard and kayak rentals
• Picnic shelters (Available for rent)
• Playground (Details below)
• Scuba diving area
• Swimming
• Wind surfing/kite surfing (Details below)
Note: State boating law requires a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket for each person on board any watercraft.
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Beach Volleyball
The volleyball court is on the beach at the swim area close to the main picnic shelters and is available in the summer through September. First come, first served - grab a volleyball and let the fun begin.
Hiking Trails
Trails include an eight-mile perimeter trail around the entire lake, paved all the way and ADA accessible. For a more serious exercise activity try the certified 5K trail for walking, running or race training. Take a leisurely stroll along multiple fishing paths at the water's edge. The West Dam parking lot has its own trail to access the dam and other secluded fishing spots.
Playground
A soft surface playground is located right in the center of all the action, at the swim area and picnic shelters next to the restrooms in the upper parking lot.
Wind Surfing/Kite Surfing
Aurora Reservoir is a favorite lake for wind and kite surfing enthusiasts. Since large boats are not allowed to use gas motors the lake is free from wakes, water skiers and speeding vessels. The wind picks up in the afternoons and creates a perfect place for surfing.