Avon's Alpine Heart, Steps from the Eagle River
Newest
Why Rent On Nottingham Lake
Nottingham Lake is a 10-acre impoundment of Buck Creek in the town of Avon, built in 1980 as an emergency water supply and transformed over the decades into the recreational centerpiece of one of Colorado’s most well-positioned mountain communities. At an average depth of 10 feet and surrounded by the parks and trails of Avon’s civic center, the lake offers a compact, accessible outdoor experience that is ideally positioned between the ski lifts of Beaver Creek to the south and the Eagle River to the north. For families who want mountain lake access combined with a world-class resort community, Nottingham Lake is the anchor.
Avon Vacation Rentals: Ski Country’s Best-Kept Secret
The Eagle County resort corridor, encompassing Avon, Beaver Creek, and nearby Vail, has one of the most well-developed vacation rental markets in Colorado. Cabins, condos, and ski-in ski-out homes give families options at every price point and size, with full kitchens, hot tubs, and mountain views that make week-long stays genuinely comfortable. Staying in a rental near Nottingham Lake gives your group walkable access to Avon’s restaurants, shops, and the lake itself, without the resort hotel rates of Beaver Creek or the parking challenges of Vail.
Paddleboard, Kayak, Fish, and Watch the Mountains
Paddleboarding and kayaking on Nottingham Lake are popular warm-season activities that take full advantage of the lake’s calm, shallow water and its dramatic backdrop of the White River National Forest ridges. Fishing for the lake’s stocked trout provides a gentle, accessible angling experience suitable for young children and first-time fishers. The surrounding Harry A. Nottingham Park is one of Colorado’s finest municipal parks, with beach volleyball courts, a concert amphitheater, and a children’s play area that give family groups more to do than most small-town parks in the state.
Beaver Creek and Vail Within Twenty Minutes
The proximity to Beaver Creek and Vail is Nottingham Lake’s most compelling advantage for skiing and resort-culture families. Beaver Creek’s impeccably groomed slopes, ice skating rink, and ski-in ski-out dining are just 15 minutes from Avon’s downtown. Vail Village is 20 minutes east, with a pedestrian main street, world-class restaurants, and the Ford Amphitheater for summer concerts. A rental cabin or condo near Nottingham Lake gives your family a home base that serves the entire Eagle Valley recreation ecosystem with equal convenience.
Eagle River Access Just Steps Away
The Eagle River, running through Avon immediately adjacent to Nottingham Lake, adds whitewater kayaking, gold medal fly fishing, and scenic riverside trail walking to the experience. The Eagle Valley Trail parallels the river through town, connecting Avon to Edwards and beyond for cyclists and joggers. After a morning on Nottingham Lake and an afternoon on the Eagle River trail, a dinner at one of Avon’s surprisingly excellent restaurants followed by an evening in the hot tub at your rental completes a Colorado mountain day that is hard to improve upon.
- Surface area (mi)
- 3.77
- Max depth (ft)
- 15
- Elevation (ft)
- 7900.26
- Shoreline length (mi)
- 1
Popular activities
- Kayaking
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Jet Skiing
- Cross-country Skiing
- Boating
Planning a trip?
Tell us about your upcoming trip and how we can help!
Nearby lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Nottingham Lake has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
-
Yes, there are designated swimming areas at Nottingham Lake. Swimming is only permitted within the designated rope and buoy area at the swim beach. This area includes a 50-meter lap swimming lane for swimmers to follow in a counterclockwise direction.
-
Nottingham Lake is a popular destination because it offers a variety of year-round activities. In the summer, it’s great for fishing, paddle-boating, and hiking, while in the winter, it’s ideal for ice skating and ice fishing. The lake is also surrounded by athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts, and the charming town of Avon with its shops and restaurants.
-
You can catch rainbow trout, brown trout, and sometimes cutthroat trout in Nottingham Lake, Colorado. The lake is stocked with these species several times a year. Other catches might include crayfish, though trout are the primary target.
-
There are no lifeguards on the beaches at Nottingham Lake. Swimmers are advised to swim at their own risk and follow designated swimming areas. The lake has well-marked swimming zones but does not provide lifeguard services.
-
Nottingham Lake is near the towns of Avon, Vail, and Beaver Creek. It is located in the heart of Avon, Colorado, and is easily accessible from Vail and Beaver Creek. The lake is a central part of Harry A. Nottingham Park in Avon.
