Colorado Lakes Where Snakes Are Common Right Now

A very mild winter and a warm spring have Colorado planning lake day earlier than usual this year. If you are not prepared, there may be a surprise or two waiting for you along the shoreline when you get there.

Garter and Bull snakes are commonly found near Colorado’s ponds, reservoirs, and wetlands across the state. The good news? Most are harmless and will avoid you entirely. Knowing where they are, and when you may see them can turn a surprise encounter into a non-issue.

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Where and When You’ll See Snakes Around Colorado Lakes

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Lakes with marshy edges, like Colorado’s Boyd Lake State Park, report far more sightings thanks to vegetation and prey.  Closer to Grand Junction, irrigation ponds and slow-moving shoreline areas will also tend to attract garter snakes. Their activity runs from late spring to early fall, with their highest visibility on warm, sunny days when snakes are actively hunting and basking. Colorado’s most snake-infested waters include: Portions of the Rio Grande River, Pueblo Reservoir/Arkansas River, and Boyd Lake State Park.

Why Snakes Stick to Shorelines (Not Open Water)

Despite assumptions, snakes are mostly encountered along the shore and not out cruising in the middle of Colorado’s Lakes. They stay close to shore so they can regulate their body temperature, hide in vegetation, and hunt effectively in the shallow waters. Everything snakes need is near the shore, and not out in the lake. Sun, food, and quick escape routes make the shoreline the place where you will see them the most.

Are Colorado Lake Snakes Dangerous? What to Know

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Here's some more good news for Colorado. The vast majority of the snakes you may encounter near bodies of water are non-venomous. This does not mean you will never see a rattlesnake or a prairie rattlesnake. While they prefer dry, rocky terrain, they sometimes wander over to the water’s edge. Most snakes you will find along the shore will flee if you approach them.