• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Shop
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Shop
  • Search
Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area Colorado
Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area near Walden, CO. Photo: Beatrice Murch

Cowdrey Lake SWA – Cowdrey

FacebookTwitter

dIn Jackson County between Cowdrey and Walden, Colorado, the Cowdrey Reservoir is an 80-acre manmade lake that sits at roughly 9,400 feet in elevation. The Cowdrey Reservoir serves as the namesake and focal point of the Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area, which also includes 15 acres of designated land along the lake’s eastern shore.

Although they share a name, the Cowdrey Reservoir is not connected to the Cowdrey Reservoir Number 2, which is located over 100 miles away in Boulder County. Instead, the Cowdrey Reservoir is connected to the Carlstrom Reservoir, which is a name occasionally used to describe both bodies of water at once.

Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area Colorado Sign
Cowdrey Lake State Wildlife Area. Photo: Beatrice Murch

Cowdrey Reservoir History

The Cowdrey Reservoir was created after the construction of the Cowdrey Dam in 1952. At approximately 700 feet in length, the Cowdrey Dam blocks the Michigan River and is privately owned by the North Park Angus Ranch.

Cowdrey Lake Old Railroad Grade
Old railroad grade by Cowdrey Lake. Photo: Beatrice Murch

Activities at Cowdrey Reservoir

Although it is relatively small, the Cowdrey Reservoir SWA attracts outdoor enthusiasts for both day trips and overnight camping. With easy access from State Highway 125, the Cowdrey Reservoir is free to enter and enjoy with a valid state license for hunting, fishing, or public lands access.

Cowdrey Lake Sluice Gate Colorado
Sluice Gate at Cowdrey Lake. Photo: Beatrice Murch

Birding & Wildlife: As a State Wildlife Area, the Cowdrey Reservoir is home to many species of birds including geese, duck, and loon. Above the water, bird watchers may also spot a variety of eagle, hawk, sparrows, and more.

Despite having very little tree coverage around, the Cowdrey SWA will still occasionally have visits from wild elk, deer, moose, and other Rocky Mountain wildlife.

Boating: Boating of all kinds is permitted in the Cowdrey Reservoir, so long as it is not a surf sailboard. Wakeless travel must be maintained at all times. There is a public boat ramp on the east side of the lake, near the bathroom facilities.

Camping: Currently, there is no fee to camp at the Cowdrey Reservoir, and overnight guests are free to use the vault toilets and parking facilities. The grounds are very open, with plenty of room for large trailers or RVs.

Fishing: Fishing is permitted for licensed anglers in the Cowdrey Reservoir both from the shore or a watercraft. Coldwater lake conditions make it possible to catch primarily brown and rainbow trout.

Hunting: Waterfowl and small game hunting are available to licensed Colorado hunters in the Cowdrey Reservoir State Wildlife Area.

Cowdrey Lake Runoff Colorado
Cowdrey Lake runoff. Photo: Beatrice Murch

Details

Address: Cowdrey Lake SWA, State Hwy 125, Cowdrey, CO 80434

Phone: 970-871-2855

Season: 24/7

Hours: Year round

Fees: No fee to enter, but a valid Hunting, fishing, or public lands license is required

Maps: cpw.state.co.us/learn/Maps/CowdreyLakeSWA_geo.pdf

Website: cpw.state.co.us/swa/Cowdrey%20Lake%20SWA

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Colorado State Wildlife Areas

  • All State Wildlife Areas
  • Adobe Creek Reservoir
  • Beaver Creek
  • Beaver Lake
  • Bellaire Lake
  • Blue River
  • Bosque Del Oso
  • Brush Hollow Reservoir
  • Cowdrey Lake
  • Dan Noble
  • Delaney Butte Lakes
  • Dowdy Lake
  • Haviland Lake
  • Hot Sulphur Springs
  • Lake John
  • Lake Meredith Reservoir
  • Mount Evans
  • North Lake
  • Parvin Lake
  • Prewitt Reservoir
  • Road Canyon Reservoir
  • Rosemont Reservoir
  • Russell Lakes
  • San Luis Lakes
  • Sanchez Reservoir
  • Skaguay Reservoir
  • South Suburban (Bonny Lake)
  • Smith Reservoir
  • Tarryall Reservoir
  • Two Buttes Reservoir
  • West Lake
  • Windy Gap WWA

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer