Where is Cat Lake located?

Cat Lake is located in Summit County, Colorado.

Is a permit required at Cat Lake?

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

Cat Lake

lake

Summit County, Colorado

4.8(72 reviews)

About Cat Lake

Cat Lake, also known as Cataract Lake, is a picturesque alpine lake tucked into the mountains of Summit County, Colorado, accessible via a narrow three-mile dirt road that feels like driving into a hidden wilderness. Surrounded by pine forests, aspen groves, and wildflower meadows, this lake rewards visitors with one of the most scenic and family-friendly loop hikes in the Breckenridge and Frisco area. The Lower Cataract Loop Trail circles the lake for roughly 2.5 miles, passing beaver ponds, a striking waterfall on Cataract Creek, and sweeping mountain views that make every turn worth a photograph.

Hiking the loop trail takes between one and a half to two hours at a comfortable pace with photo stops. The trail is rated easy to moderate, with a few rocky inclines that provide a mild challenge but remain manageable for children, older adults, and casual hikers. Starting clockwise puts the steeper sections at the beginning, while counterclockwise saves the wildflower meadows and lake views for the first half. The path is clearly defined through most of the loop, though signage is sparse on the north side where trail junctions can cause momentary confusion. Shaded sections through the pine forest keep temperatures comfortable even on warm summer afternoons.

Fishing at Cat Lake draws anglers who report seeing plenty of fish jumping, though the shallow waters can make catching them a challenge. The lake itself is calm and sheltered, making it an appealing spot for paddleboarding on quiet days. Picnicking along the lakeshore or near the stream in the forest provides a relaxing midday break. The waterfall visible from across the lake adds a dramatic backdrop to any visit, and the trail passes close enough to hear the rushing water.

Wildflowers are a major seasonal highlight, with columbine and other species in full bloom during summer months. Fall brings spectacular aspen color changes along the trail. Wildlife signs are abundant, including beaver activity, bear claw marks on trees, and evidence of elk and deer. Dogs are welcome on the trail, making this a popular choice for hikers with pets.

The trailhead has a parking lot and vault toilets, though both can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays. Arriving before 11 a.m. is strongly recommended to secure a spot. A handful of first-come-first-served campsites sit near the trailhead, and the area operates on a pack-in-pack-out basis with no potable water available. Mosquitoes and bees are aggressive during summer months, and every experienced visitor emphasizes bringing bug spray. The access road is narrow with washboard sections, so driving cautiously is essential. Located a short drive from Frisco, Dillon, and Breckenridge, Cat Lake is a favorite day trip and a yearly tradition for many Colorado families.

Reviews (10)

Daniel Schuh

.Beautiful trail and accurately described as easy, though there are a few short stretches that may be challenging for someone that truly requires a 100% easy trail.

Gretchen Pennington

Bathroom was at trailhead but was closed due to fresh paint. 1/4 mile other direction bathroom was open. We took the loop trail counter clockwise which was the hardest/steepest part of the trail but moderate/doable & gets easier. Highly recommend. Beautiful all around.

Joshua House

The food, service and atmosphere was great. Tyler made some great cocktails

Jenslyfe

Lower Cataract Loop Trail: we’re from Texas so any altitude is an adjustment! This trail was easy breezy. We started this trail at around 9am and the parking lot was empty!! Apparently 11am and on is when it gets VERY packed. We had the entire trail to ourselves for a while. We stopped and took a lot of pictures and it took us 1 hour and 41 minutes. We took lots of breaks and drank a lot of water. The benefit of starting counterclockwise is you see the wildflowers first and all the beautiful spots to get in the lake BUT it leaves more of the incline for the last 30 minutes. It wasn’t too challenging though. It was about 72 degrees when we started and it ended at around 83 degrees. The mosquitos were out in full force and the bees. It was a beautiful walk and really enjoyable. There is a bathroom at the start and the path is clearly defined. Give it a go!

Kimberly Sterne

This was our favorite hike during our week in the area. It's a bit of a drive from the Frisco/Dillon area, but WORTH IT! There was plenty of parking in the lot. There was also vault toilets. Walk the trail clockwise (start on the left of the lake). It begins with beautiful wildflowers around the lake. You'll walk through a pine forest near a large waterfall visible on the mountain side. You'll then face an uphill portion that's more rocky near the end of the trail. This took us about 1 1/2 hours to explore. Our kids (16, 13, and 11) didn't want to leave. The rain forced us away, but it was goregous!

Alex Roy

Absolutely stunning.

Nicole Contryman

Amazing location! Definitely more people then expected but still a nice place to be.the first half of hike is easy the second half is definitely not as easy at all.

Marcella Parker

Oh my goodness. Had a wonderful hike to the falls on a beautiful day. Had lunch at the lake. And the lake and surrounding area is so gorgeous and peaceful.

Samantha Luegger (LUE Outdoors)

One of our favorite places to spend an afternoon!

Joseph Struska

This was a great, easy hike. Hiked it in the evening with 3 kids age 8, 10, and 11. They all did fine and enjoyed the time. You can see where a beaver has taken trees down to use for its dam, bears have clawed trees, elk or deer have scraped their antlers on trees. The cataract is beautiful and it is a very peaceful walk. There's one spot on the North side of the lake where we got a little bit mixed up with the trails, because it is split up and there's no signage. We were able to get back onto the correct one quickly, though. We didn't have any issues with bugs at all, even going at dusk.