Base Line Reservoir

Base Line Reservoir sits along Baseline Road in unincorporated Boulder County, offering one of the most striking views of the Flatirons from any body of water along the Front Range. Built in the early 1900s as an irrigation reservoir by the Baseline Land and Reservoir Company, this roughly 50-acre lake has served local farmers for over a century and remains a quietly scenic landmark visible to anyone driving between Denver and Boulder on Baseline Road.

Unlike most Colorado lakes, Base Line Reservoir is entirely private. Access is restricted to members of the Baseline Lake swim club and the motorboat club, both of which sub-lease water rights from the reservoir company. The swim club caps membership at 125 households drawn from specific streets in the Ridglea Hills neighborhood, and the waitlist stretches 8 to 10 years. No public fishing, swimming, boating, or shoreline access is available.

For the surrounding community, Base Line Reservoir functions primarily as a visual landmark rather than a recreation destination. Drivers along Baseline Road enjoy sweeping views of the reservoir backed by the Flatirons rock formations, particularly during sunrise and sunset. Bird watchers occasionally scan the shoreline from public roads, as the undisturbed water attracts waterfowl, herons, and raptors throughout the year.

Visitors hoping for lakeside recreation in Boulder County have excellent alternatives nearby. Boulder Reservoir, about four miles north, offers public swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing with full facilities. Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, less than two miles west, provides free access to multiple ponds with walking trails and outstanding birding. Wonderland Lake in north Boulder combines a scenic walking loop with mountain views.

Base Line Reservoir remains one of Boulder County's most visually beautiful lakes, and its private status keeps the water calm and the shoreline pristine. While public access is not permitted, the reservoir is worth a drive-by for the Flatirons views alone, especially during golden hour or after a fresh snowfall when the mountains and water create a postcard-worthy Colorado scene.