Norwood Colorado’s Top Summertime Destinations: Miramonte Reservoir

If you love getting away from the crowds and being on or around water, Miramonte Reservoir, one of Norwood Colorado’s top summertime destinations, may just be what the doctor ordered! The reservoir, which is Norwood’s largest body of water, covers 405 surface acres and is considered to be one of Norwood’s greatest outdoor recreational assets, offering a plethora of family-friendly outdoor activities. And the best part? It’s practically free!

There are no entrance or camping fees at Miramonte Reservoir. For those of you who are 16 and older, all you need with you to access the lake is a valid Colorado fishing or hunting license, or a State Wildlife Area (SWA) pass. This is a new rule which goes into effect on May 1, 2021 for all Colorado State Wildlife Areas, including Miramonte Reservoir located within the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area. The previous rule, which applied to anyone 18 and older, went into effect July 1, 2020.

Boating and Water Sports

Miramonte Reservoir just happens to be an ideal body of water for boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, standup paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking and even sale boating and windsurfing. Cruise around the reservoir and feel the wind in your hair, or find solitude in a cove while sitting or standing on glassy water.

Miramonte Reservoir is boatable mid-April through mid-November. For boaters and those wanting easy access to the water, Miramonte Reservoir features two boat ramps. The first located along the reservoir’s south-eastern shoreline, and the second along the reservoir’s north-eastern shoreline. The majority of the shoreline can be accessed by non-motorized boaters via designated parking and camping areas as well as access gates along the fence line. Miramonte Reservoir does have a tendency to be windy, especially in the spring. To avoid the breeze, early to mid-morning and mid to late-evening are the best times to get on the water. To help protect wildlife, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing and other water contact activities are only permitted on the western side of the reservoir.

Boating in Colorado

Before visiting Miramonte Reservoir, it’s important to note that Colorado boating law differs slightly from the U.S. Coast Guard boating regulations. In Colorado, all boaters, motorized as well as non-motorized watercrafts (including canoes, kayaks, standup paddle boards and sailboats) are required to operate within the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Boating Regulations:

Manually Propelled Vessels and Sailboats – Vessels less than 16 feet in length, including paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, sailboards or non-motorized rafts regardless of length.

Colorado boating law in conjunction with U.S Coast Guard regulations requires one Type I, II, III, IV or V life jacket (personal floatation device, or PFD) per person on board at all times. PFDs must be readily accessible and of an appropriate size for the intended wearer.
Every vessel, except hand-propelled vessels when on whitewater, must have a sound-producing device for signaling on board and it must be able to produce the navigational signals under rules of the road.
Each vessel must carry an approved Type IV throwable device, which should be immediately available.
All paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, sailboards or non-motorized rafts must be marked with the owner’s name and current address in a legible, clearly visible, and durable fashion.

Inflatable PFDs

Only certain brands are U.S. Coast Guard-approved. Review the manufacturer’s label for classification type, intended uses and instructions on how to wear before use.
Inflatable PFDs may be used only by persons 16 years old or older.
An inflatable life jacket must be worn to be considered readily accessible.
Inflatable personal flotation devices are not approved for use while water skiing.

Personal Watercraft – A personal watercraft, also known as a jet ski, is a vessel 13 feet in length or less, propelled by machinery, that is designated to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel. PWC’s are subject to the same laws governing the operation of motorboats.

Colorado boating law requires that every person on board a personal watercraft and anyone being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear a Type I, II, III, IV or V U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket (or personal floatation device (PFD)).

Motor Boats

For all boats 16 feet or more in length, there must be one wearable Coast Guard-approved PFD for each person on board and one throwable (Type IV) device in each boat.
Children 13 and under are required to wear a PFD at all times, unless they are below deck, in an enclosed cabin, or if the vessel is at anchor, aground or attached to shore.
Colorado boating law also requires that all wearable Type I, II, III and V life jackets must be readily accessible and all Type IV (throwable) flotation devices must be immediately available and kept in serviceable condition.

WARNING!!! Prevent the Spread of Zebra Mussels and other Aquatic Nuisance Species

Watch for anglers dumping smallmouth bass illegally into the reservoir. Clean, drain, and dry your boat after each use.
Adult mussels can attach to any surface and can live several days out of water in moist, shaded areas.
Microscopic mussel larvae, known as veligers, can be transferred in water contained in live wells, bilge or ballast tanks.

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Fishing

Miramonte Reservoir is considered to be one of the best fisheries in the state with its abundance of rainbow, Snake River cutthroat and brown trout. In addition to fishing from the shoreline as well as boat fishing, Miramonte Reservoir is also very popular for crayfish trapping. Luck at Miramonte Reservoir isn’t hard to come by as anglers can easily find excellent numbers of feisty 12 to 17 inch rainbow, brown and Snake River cutthroat trout, with cut-bows and browns growing in upwards of 20 inches.

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Camping

If wide open skies are what you’re looking for, there’s no better place to catch the majestic Wright’s Mesa sunrises and sunsets than at Miramonte Reservoir. Located 17 miles south of Norwood off Lone Cone Road, sitting at approximately 8,000 feet within the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area, Miramonte Reservoir boasts vast, 360 degree views with Lone Cone Mountain being the main focal point, and offers free developed and undeveloped camping in designated campsites around the lake. Miramonte Reservoir boasts ample tent camping, as well as campsites for large enough to fit RVs, trailers and boats.

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Stargazing

Norwood, having been designated an International Dark Sky Community and Western Colorado’s first dark sky community by the International Dark-Sky Association in 2019, is one of the best places in the country for stargazers, astronomers and astrophotographers alike. Miramonte Reservoir, which is located just 17 miles south of Norwood in one of the darkest places in Colorado, just happens to be one of the best places in the state to gaze at the stars.

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Birdwatching

Norwood’s ideal climate and diverse landscape make it home to a vast array of bird species. Norwood sits along one of 54 Colorado Birding Trails, known as the Uncompahgre Trail. Miramonte Reservoir is a bird watcher’s paradise as numerous species call the reservoir home. Miramonte Reservoir/Dan Noble State Wildlife Area is an excellent location for birding watching with waterfowl, loons, gulls, shorebirds, waders, eagles and the endangered Gunnison Sage-Grouse.

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Boating and Water Sports​