Dowdy Lake

Summary

Dowdy Lake Campground near Red Feather Lakes offers visitors the opportunity to canoe, fish, hike, bike and ride horseback in the surrounding area. The campground offers 60 single and double family campsites with electric hookups and 10 designated tent sites, as well as vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection. Nature lovers can also enjoy the 8,200 foot elevation mountain pine forest and nearby Red Feather Visitor Center.

Overview

Dowdy Lake Campground is located 48 miles northwest of Fort Collins, Colo., near the village of Red Feather Lakes. Visitors enjoy the area for its canoeing, fishing and trail opportunities.

Recreation

Canoeing and fishing are popular activities on the 115-acre, no-wake Dowdy Lake. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake, but a 10 mph speed limit is enforced. Anglers cast for brown, brook, cutthroat and lake trout. Several additional lakes are in the vicinity.

Many hiking, biking and horseback riding trails are in the surrounding area, including the 4-mile Mount Margaret Trail. Several off-road vehicle trails are located within five miles of the campground.

Other popular activities include viewing wildlife and visiting the nearby Redfeather Visitor Center.

Facilities

The campground offers 60 accessible single and double family campsites with electric hookups. Ten sites are designated for tent camping only and do not have hookups. Each site contains a tent pad, picnic table and campfire ring with grill.

Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Dead and downed firewood may be gathered in the forest or purchased in bundles from the campground host.

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a ponderosa pine forest on the shore of Dowdy Lake, at an elevation of 8,200 feet. Afternoon thunderstorms can be expected during spring and summer months.

Due to the mountain pine beetle infestation and removal of hazardous trees, some sites have reduced shade.

Nearby Attractions

The small village of Red Feather Lakes is nearby, offering limited dining options, gift shops, general stores, a library, post office and a golf course.