What amenities does Beaver Lake have?

Beaver Lake has Unpaved Trail, Parking.

Where is Beaver Lake located?

Beaver Lake is located in Eagle County, Colorado.

Is a permit required at Beaver Lake?

Permit information is not currently available. Check with the managing agency for current requirements.

Beaver Lake

lake

Eagle County, Colorado

4.5(31 reviews)

About Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake sits near the top of Beaver Creek Resort in Eagle County, rewarding hikers with a stunning alpine lake after a steady uphill climb. The trail starts just past the Beaver Creek Chapel, where a family-friendly stretch called the Five Senses Trail winds through picturesque scenery before giving way to a more rugged mountain path. Visitors consistently describe the moment they reach the lake as worth every step of the ascent.

The Beaver Lake Trail covers roughly 2.9 miles one way with an elevation gain of nearly 1,900 feet, making it a solid intermediate hike that takes most people two to three hours to reach the top. The trail begins on a wide gravel surface along Elk Track Road, passing maintenance facilities and a fire station before transitioning to a proper hiking trail. The final half-mile to the lake is especially scenic, with mountain views, pine forests, creeks, and wooden bridges lining the route. Hikers looking for a shortcut can ride the Centennial lift up and connect via the Royal Elk Trail, then hike the Beaver Lake Trail back down to the base.

Bbeaver Lake is a popular destination for picnicking and wildlife viewing. Visitors have spotted moose above the lake and bears along the trail. The lake itself is cold and picturesque, surrounded by alpine terrain that transitions from green meadows at lower elevations to snow-dusted slopes near the top during early summer. Families with small children can enjoy the lower Five Senses Trail section without committing to the full hike.

The trail is open year-round, with November visitors finding the lake covered in snow. Horseback riders also use the trail, so hikers should be prepared to share the path and watch for horse droppings. Proper footwear is essential, as the upper sections feature loose rocks and steep grades that can be slippery. Trail markings can be sparse in places, so following signs for the Five Senses Trail from the village is the most reliable way to find the trailhead. Summer is the most popular season for visiting Beaver Lake, and the hike makes for a fantastic half-day trip.

Reviews (10)

Megan Honstien

Loved this hike!! It was harder than we anticipated a gain of almost 1900 ft but worth it! The scenery was breathtaking!

Noel Prescott

Excellent hike. Fairly easy. Saw a moose above the lake.

Dr. S

The first half of the trail we countered a horse dropping a lots of it , collecting flies then the second half was rocky , it was a lots of rocks it can’t hike on the trail, it was dangerous, easy to sprain or twist ankles , google maps wasn’t accurate it shows a longer trail from the village to the lake , google maps needs to correct the distance on foot.

Jeff Cockman

We hiked up the Beaver Lake trail then connected to Royal Elk near Beaver Lake. I like this combination as your effort is rewarded with a free ride down the Centennial lift. The first section of the hike was marked as the Five Senses Trail. It started just after the Beaver Creek Chapel. This section was picturesque and ideal for families with small children. The next section is along Elk Track Rd. You pass the maintenance facilities and fire station before getting on an actual trail. This section was marked as 1.4 miles to Beaver Lake. There are sections of the trail that are absolutely gorgeous, but long sections are just a gravel trail. The final half mile to the lake is very picturesque. Beaver Lake is beautiful and makes the effort worthwhile.

Jeff Bakken

Great hike with a spectacular lake at the end of the trail. Out and back, up all the way to the lake and then down. Beautiful views along the way to the lake. I highly recommend this hike. Totally worth it.

Holly Roscoe

Would not recommend for beginners, even if you are very physically active. Poorly marked trail and if you wear the wrong shoes, you will be slipping down steep areas with loose rocks. View was beautiful but it took us over 3 hours total and we got lost on the way down.

Kevin Hulme

Were staying in Avon, CO a few years back, and decided to tackle this trail during the month of late June. Mild-moderate difficulty for 2 "average" hikers. The scenery was fantastic, going from green grass at the beginning to snow near the top, which made for a diverse hike. It felt a little bit treacherous at times for the reasons stated, so be forewarned, and be sure to bring appropriate footwear. Definitely worth the visit for the amazing Colorado scenery - including mountains, pines, creeks, streams, wooden bridges, and of course Beaver Lake itself. Enjoy!

Joseph Propernick

Good not to difficult hike.

A R

The Beaver Lake trail is the signature trail at Beaver Creek. If you start from the bottom of the mountain it's a grueling up hill hike that takes a good 3 hours or more to complete up and back. I took the Centennial lift up, hiked the Royal Elk trail which connected me to Beaver Lake, then hiked the Beaver Lake trail down to the base. To me, this is the best way to attack this hike unless your looking for a long grueling workout!

Tim Gregg

Good hiking trail with nice views and a nice lake at the end. Hike to the lake was all incline and around 2.9 miles so be prepared for that. In order to find the trail follow signs for the five senses and that will lead into Beaver lake trail.