Monument & the Tri-Lakes area
Lakes Near Monument: Fishing, Paddling & Access Rules
Choose a public lake for a paddle or an afternoon by the water, or arrange permitted access at Forest Lakes. This guide separates the places you can visit from the rules that apply once you arrive.
Public lake recreation
Monument Lake
Paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and fishing are part of a day at Monument Lake. Public recreation is permitted; swimming is not.
On the water
Bring a paddleboard, kayak or canoe and follow posted launch and safety rules. Electric trolling motors are permitted; other motor types are not. Fishing requires the applicable Colorado fishing license.
Before visiting
Check the Town’s parking instructions, current lake notices and any requirements for commercial activities. Permission to boat or fish is not permission to swim.
Sources: Town of Monument lake information, official lake FAQ and Trails & Open Space Coalition recreation guide.
Open to the public
Palmer Lake
Palmer Lake is a public recreation destination in the separate Town of Palmer Lake, just north of Monument.
Walk along the lake at Centennial Park, connect with the Santa Fe Regional Trail, or combine a visit with nearby picnic areas, disc golf and downtown stops.
The Town publishes a separate set of Lake Use Rules. Review those rules and posted notices before bringing equipment or launching a craft. Do not assume Monument Lake’s motor or swimming rules also apply here, or that the town’s reservoirs have the same access rules as Palmer Lake.
Permit-only lake access
Forest Lakes
Bristlecone Lake supports permitted recreation. Piñon Lake does not. Public access to the surrounding park or trails does not include permission to use either lake.
Bristlecone Lake
A District permit is required for lake and dock access and fishing. Approved hand-launched, nonmotorized boats include kayaks, canoes and rowboats, subject to the District’s size limits. Neither electric nor gasoline motors are permitted.
Fishing is catch-and-release, with the required District permit and applicable Colorado license. Swimming, wading, ice fishing and access onto the ice are prohibited. Check permit eligibility, approved equipment and current conditions with District management before visiting.
Piñon Lake
Piñon Lake is closed to recreation, including fishing and boating. A Bristlecone permit does not authorize use of Piñon Lake.
Forest Lakes Metropolitan District lake rules and permit information
Plan for the lake you choose
Check access before loading the car.
Confirm parking, posted closures, fishing-license requirements and the rules for your particular craft. Bring appropriate flotation equipment, watch the wind and weather, and keep launch areas clear for other visitors.
Public access, fishing permission and boating permission are different questions. A rule at one lake does not establish a rule at another.