Halligan Reservoir

Halligan Reservoir sits tucked away in the foothills northwest of Fort Collins in Larimer County, a remote water body that most visitors will never stumble upon by accident. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Collins as a municipal water supply, the reservoir is surrounded by private ranchland, which makes access genuinely difficult. If you are willing to work for it, the payoff is a quiet, uncrowded stretch of water in a rugged high-plains canyon setting.

Reaching the reservoir requires a vehicle with four-wheel drive and decent ground clearance. The last quarter mile of unmaintained road is rough, rocky, and rutted, so all-terrain tires are a practical necessity rather than a luxury. The lower entrance gate is closed, and most approach roads cross private property, so plan your route carefully before making the drive. Once you park at the small lot, the only way in is through a narrow walk-through opening, which means kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards need to be light enough to carry by hand.

Fishing is the main draw here, with anglers heading out to try their luck along the shoreline. The reservoir does hold fish, though fluctuating water levels can leave wide, muddy banks that make shore access challenging, especially during drawdown periods. There are no boat ramps, docks, or formal facilities of any kind. Bring everything you need, including emergency drinking water, because the area is hot and dry during summer and cell service is unreliable.

Wildlife is abundant. Rattlesnakes are a real concern in the surrounding grassland, so watch where you step and keep dogs close. The open landscape offers good bird watching opportunities, and mule deer are common in the draws around the reservoir.

Halligan Reservoir is not a destination for casual day-trippers looking for a family outing. There are no restrooms, no picnic tables, and no maintained trails. This is a place for self-reliant anglers and explorers who want genuine solitude in a landscape that feels closer to the Wyoming border than the Front Range suburbs just thirty miles south. Check current access conditions before you go, and respect the private property boundaries that surround the area.