Green Mountain Reservoir is a scenic mountain reservoir along Highway 9 in Summit County, Colorado, roughly twenty minutes north of Silverthorne and the Interstate 70 corridor. With a 4.7-star rating and a reputation as one of the best-kept secrets in the area, this deep reservoir offers fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, camping, and swimming surrounded by mountain views that draw visitors year-round. The reservoir rarely feels overcrowded, making it a quieter alternative to the busier lakes along the Front Range.
Fishing at Green Mountain Reservoir targets lake trout and kokanee salmon, with shore fishing and trolling both producing catches. Lake trout in the sixteen-inch range are common, though some anglers report stunted fish in recent years. Shore fishing works well along multiple pullover spots on Highway 9, and night fishing from lakeside campsites is a popular approach. Ice fishing draws anglers to the frozen reservoir in winter, with access visible from the highway when the lake freezes over. The marina rents boats at reasonable prices and the staff is helpful with local fishing information, including a tackle shop worth visiting before heading out.
Boating and water sports thrive here in summer. The marina offers boat rentals along with paddleboard rentals at competitive rates. Water skiing has a history on Green Mountain Reservoir, with open water and enough depth for towing. The single boat ramp can create bottlenecks during busy weekends, so plan launch and retrieval times around peak hours, especially since afternoon storms roll in quickly and the ramp is small for pulling large boats under pressure. Water levels fluctuate seasonally and have been notably low in recent years, occasionally limiting boat launches, so check conditions before trailering a vessel.
Camping options surround the reservoir with multiple campgrounds along the shoreline. Elliot Creek Campground on the southwest side features a stream running through flat tent-friendly ground with some tree shade and fire pits, though direct lake access from that location is limited. Other campgrounds sit right next to the water with private settings and clean, well-maintained sites. Campsites are limited in number and fill up on summer weekends, so arrive early or plan midweek trips. Some sites allow you to anchor boats at shore, though the lake drops steeply to twenty or forty feet just three feet from the bank, so tie boats down securely against sudden wind.
Swimming and cliff jumping are both activities visitors enjoy at Green Mountain Reservoir. Cliffs near the dam have historically been used for cliff jumping, though access may be restricted depending on water levels or construction projects, so check current conditions. The water temperature is manageable for summer swimming without being painfully cold. Paddleboarding is a favorite activity with calm morning conditions before afternoon winds pick up.
Weather changes rapidly at this elevation with afternoon thunderstorms, wind, and dust arriving without much warning. No cell phone service is available at the campgrounds, so prepare accordingly. The town of Silverthorne is a twenty-minute drive south on Highway 9, with a Walmart and full services available off Interstate 70. The overlook on the west side of the reservoir provides panoramic photo opportunities, and the fall colors during the first week of October are particularly striking along the surrounding mountain slopes.