Marys Lake
- recreation.gov
- Estes Park
About
Marys Lake is a small reservoir a couple of miles from downtown, with a short walk along the shore and the foothills behind it. It's a quiet stop for a picnic or a few casts. Don't plan on boating.
Marys Lake is about 2 miles from town and covers roughly 42 acres. It's a Bureau of Reclamation reservoir, stocked with rainbow trout, and a Colorado fishing license is required. You reach it by Marys Lake Road, and the main lot has two trail entrances. A short out-and-back runs about 0.6 miles along the north shore. No boating is allowed, so bring a rod, a sandwich and a camera, not a kayak.
I like it for an easy afternoon when the Park is jammed. Elk and deer turn up around the water, so keep your distance and keep your dog leashed (I couldn't confirm a posted pet rule, so check signs). Go early or at dusk for the best light and the least wind. A campground on the lake is open seasonally, from mid-May to mid-October. Leave the shoreline as you found it.
