Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir

Background

Completed in 1932 after two years of construction at a cost of only $1.5 million, Eleven Mile stands 135 feet above the South Platte riverbed. The six-mile long reservoir is second largest in the Denver system and one of the largest bodies of water east of the Continental Divide. Eleven Mile has a surface area of 3,405 acres and 23.9 miles of shoreline.

Directions

• Take Highway 285 to Fairplay
• About a mile south of Fairplay, veer southeast on Highway 9 toward Hartsel
• After about 15 miles you will reach a stop sign at the intersection with Highway 24
• Turn left (east) on Highway 24
• Drive on Highway 24 for about 10 miles
• On your right you will come to the road that will access both Eleven Mile and Spinney Reservoirs
• Take that gravel road to Eleven Mile State Park

Seasonal Information

Open year round

Operating Hours

24 hours a day

Special Events

Must be approved by Denver Water

Recreation Opportunities

Overview of available activities

motorboating sailboating canoeing windsurfing personal watercraft	Power boats, canoes, sailboats, windsurfing, and jet-skis are permitted. Boaters must observe Colorado boating statutes and regulations. All islands within the reservoir are closed to public use, and reservoir is closed to night boating from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Boat ramps are located at the North Shore campground, Witcher Cove campground and Little Cove. The reservoir's high water elevation is 8594 feet. Boat ramps may not be used for most motorized craft when the water is at the following elevations: North Shore campground – 8571 feet; Witcher Cove campground – 8594 feet; Little Cove – 8594 feet. Current water elevations at Eleven Mile.
renting	For information on boat rentals, visit the Eleven Mile State Park Web site.
fishing	Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, northern pike and carp are found at the reservoir. See the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s fishery survey summary for Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir.
ice fishing	Ice fishing when conditions permit. Denver Water does not monitor ice conditions and those entering the ice should be aware of changing ice conditions and proceed at their own risk. Check with State Parks.
camping	State Parks Campground Classifications Class A – Deluxe, Class B – Improved Class C – Basic, Class D – Semi-primitive, Class E – Primitive. Fees vary according to classification. See Colorado State Parks.
picnicking	Picnic areas available for day use.
hiking bicycling	The area offers 5 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails.

Note: Water contact sports such as swimming, wading, scuba diving or other water activities are prohibited.

Other rules and regulations.