Lost Lake

Lost Lake is a dispersed camping and fishing destination in the Red Feather Lakes area of Larimer County, about 45 minutes northwest of Fort Collins. Surrounded by Roosevelt National Forest, this small mountain lake draws visitors who want a raw, undeveloped outdoor experience without campground fees, reservations, or crowds. The tradeoff is real: there are no bathrooms, no running water, and no maintained facilities of any kind, so you need to come fully prepared and practice strict leave-no-trace principles.

The drive to Lost Lake follows a network of forest roads that can be rough and rutted, especially after rain or snowmelt. A high-clearance vehicle or SUV is strongly recommended, as sedans risk bottoming out on the rocky sections. Once you arrive, dispersed campsites line the road and surround the lake, offering a first-come, first-served setup that fills quickly on summer weekends. The lake sits in a broad mountain valley ringed by lodgepole pine and spruce forest, with open meadows nearby that attract elk and mule deer.

Fishing at Lost Lake has historically been inconsistent. Some visitors report catching small trout, while others find the lake largely devoid of fish. Water levels fluctuate through the season, and the lake can become quite shallow by late summer. A valid Colorado fishing license is required regardless. The real draw here is the setting itself: campfires under dark skies, morning coffee by the water, and miles of forest roads to explore on foot, bike, or horseback.

Lost Lake has faced significant overuse pressure in recent years. Visitors have reported trash accumulation, noise from large groups, and general degradation of the area. Land managers and regular visitors hope for improved enforcement or a reservation system to protect this fragile landscape. If you visit, pack out everything you bring in and respect the solitude that makes places like this worth protecting. The Red Feather Lakes area also offers several other lakes and campgrounds, including Dowdy Lake and West Lake, which have developed facilities for those who prefer a more structured camping experience.