Click here for information on seasonal closure conditions.
- All persons under the age of 13 must wear their life jacket (PFD) at all times while in any vessel that is on the water. Visit the park office/visitor center for a child's PFD loaner.
- Water-contact sports such as wading, swimming, scuba diving, water-skiing or towing of any water toys are prohibited.
Windsurfing with a full body wetsuit and jet skiing are allowed. - Boat docks are for loading and unloading only.
- Mooring at or fishing from the docks is prohibited.
- There is an enforced five-minute use limit while mooring at the dock.
- Islands within the reservoir are closed to all public use.
- The reservoir is closed to boating from one half-hour after sunset to one half-hour before sunrise daily.
- Play it safe while on the water -- leave your alcohol on shore. DO NOT operate your vessel while under the influence. This is a criminal offense in Colorado and you will be arrested for it.
Please learn about Colorado's boating statutes and regulations. Safety and information handouts are also available at the park office.
Sudden storms with strong winds and high waves can develop quickly at Eleven Mile. If you see storm clouds building on the horizon, please exercise caution by heading closer towards shore. Those same clouds will begin making their presence known on the lake very quickly. Underwater hazards are frequently found in the reservoir and not all are marked. Boaters should be especially careful when within 150 feet of any shoreline.
The threat of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a very real threat that affects everybody. AIS species can destroy facilities, ecosystems and recreational equipment alike. It is in nobodies interest to allow their introduction into a "clean" reservoir.
Recently, Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists confirmed the presence of two invasive species, New Zealand mud snails (NZMS) and a plant called Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) in Eleven Mile Reservoir. Spinney Mountain Reservoir is still "clean" as far as parks and wildlife officials know. NZMS primarily feed on algae and aquatic plants, and can crowd out other desired fish and invertebrate species. EWM is an aggressive aquatic plant that out competes native plants and can form large strands on the surface of the water, which can entangle motors and degrade the quality of recreational boating opportunities.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be conducting boat inspections on all trailered vessels that are intending to either be launched on or removed from the reservoir. Belly boats, canoes and kayaks without motors are still exempted if they do not arrive on a trailer. But, we need the help of every boater and fisherman that uses the reservoir. It is critical for the boating and fishing public to fully cooperate in order to protect boating and fishing opportunities not only at Eleven Mile Reservoir, but all water impoundments within Colorado and prevent the spread of these damaging organisms.
Mandatory inspections of all non-exempt vessels will be conducted at either boat ramp (when open for use) and must be completed satisfactorily prior to launching on the reservoir or exiting from the boat ramp parking lot. Any vessel, float tube or belly boat that is found to be contaminated will be refused admittance to the reservoir until that vessel, float tube or belly boat is satisfactorily decontaminated. Owner's of any vessel, float tube or belly boat found to be contaminated after being removed from Eleven Mile Reservoir will be assisted by parks and wildlife staff in ensuring that the vessel, float tube or belly boat is "clean" prior to exiting the boat ramp parking lot. It is illegal in Colorado to knowingly transport ANS.
Full decontamination can be done by park staff through the boating season at the Eleven Mile Shop by appointment only between the hours of 7 AM until 5 PM daily. Owners should be aware that an inspection at Eleven Mile Reservoir will be required every time the vessel enters or leaves the ramp area for launching or loading unless the vessel has an untampered inspection strap attached to its bow and affixing it to the trailer that was placed upon it at Eleven Mile State Park when entering the ramp lot.
EFFECTIVE SEPT 04th, 2012: The Witchers Cove Boat Ramp is closed to all use for the fall/winter season. The Witchers Cove inspection station is closed at this time as well.
EFFECTIVE NOV 01st, 2012: The lake is closed to all boating for the season. All ramps and all inspections stations are closed for the season by this date
EFFECTIVE April (TBD), 2013: Boating will be permited on the lake after ice-off. Mandatory vessel inspections for ANS will be conducted ONLY at the Eleven Mile North Shore Boat Ramp Parking Lot from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The Witchers Cove boat ramp and inspection station will remain closed for the season until Friday, May 24, 2013. Launching is prohibited without an inspection, as is removal of a boat from the boat ramp parking lot without an inspection. Both the reservoir and boat ramp are closed to boating 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. We ask that you arrive at the inspection station with your vessel clean, drained and dry. Vessels that arrive in a dirty condition will not be inspected and will not be allowed to launch.
Before leaving any lake or other waterway, fishermen and boaters should:
- CLEAN the hull of your vessel, belly boat or float tube thoroughly.
- DRAIN all water from the boat, including live wells, bait wells and ballast tanks.
- DRY the vessel, fishing gear and equipment.
- INSPECT all exposed surfaces.
- REMOVE all plant and animal material.
Additional contact information for Zebra Mussels policies and strategies:
- Boating Policies at a given park – Call the individual park office.
- State Parks regulations related to Zebra Mussels – Pat Gavin 303-791-1954.
- Overall parks Zebra Mussel strategy – Call Gene Seagle 303-866-3203 x4343
- Statewide Zebra Mussel strategy – Call Greg Gerlich 303-291-7360.
See the park's homepage for current weather conditions.
Boat rentals are available from 11 Mile Marina.