Reservations accepted online for county parks

Larimer County Parks and Open Lands is looking forward to an eventful year. It has a new campsite reservation system, the department will celebrate its 50th birthday, and it expects to see full capacity water levels at Horsetooth Reservoir.

The campsite reservation system goes live at 10 a.m. on March 1. Campers can make reservations for campsites by going online at www.larimercamping.com or by calling 1-800-397-7795.

"This is a good thing for our campers," said director Gary Buffington. "They can be assured of having campsites and will save money over the old, first-come, first-served system."

Campsites are $10 a night for nonelectric sites and $15 a night for electric sites, with an $8 reservation fee per site per camping trip. Sites can be reserved 90 days in advance.

Annual park entrance permits are now available for purchase online at www.larimer.org/parks, at the Bison Visitor Center, at the Citizen Information Center in the new county courthouse and at local businesses. The annual vehicle permit is $65 for Larimer County residents and $75 for nonresidents. The annual boat permit is $60 for Larimer County residents and $70 for nonresidents. An annual paddling permit is offered for nonmotorized, nonregistered boats for $30. Discounted permits are offered to seniors ($35), to disabled customers ($10) and for second vehicles with the purchase of a full-priced permit ($40).

The water is already coming up at Horsetooth Reservoir, with plans for full capacity by April. Parks staff has taken advantage of the limited-use time to improve campgrounds, replace restrooms and extend boat ramps. Inlet Bay Marina will reopen in the spring.

For information about the Larimer County Parks and Open Lands, go to www.larimer.org/parks or call the Bison Visitor Center at 679-4570.