Rueter-Hess Reservoir Recreation

Rueter-Hess Reservoir, just minutes from Downtown Castle Rock, sits on Hess Road, one mile east of I-25 at the Castle Pines Parkway exit. The property is owned and managed by the Parker Water and Sanitation District. While the districts top priority is maintaining water quality, the District has established the Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority board to plan the development of future recreational opportunities. The Authority is composed of appointed representatives from the Town of Castle Rock, the Town of Parker, the City of Lone Tree, the City of Castle Pines, Douglas County and the District. 

Through extensive public outreach the Authority established a conceptual master plan in 2016. Future recreational opportunities may include soft-surface trails, non-motorized watercraft and fishing. To start, however, the reservoir will only be open for limited recreational programming.

With direction from the Authority, the Castle Rock and Parker Parks and Recreation Departments will offer programs and special events on site. Registered participants will be allowed to enter the reservoir during the scheduled events. 

2018 recreation programs and events

• Rueter-Hess Paddle Days - Aug. 25, 26, Sept. 1, 3 and 8. The reservoir will be open from
  8 a.m.-noon at a cost of $10 per non motorized water craft. For specific information please
  go to our registration page. 
• Rueter-Hess Reservoir general information sessions - Wednesday, June 27; Wednesday, July 25; and Wednesday, Aug. 29
• Ongoing tours are available, as well as bird watching trips