Parque Embalse del Neusa

Parque Embalse del Neusa is a reservoir park managed by the CAR, the regional environmental authority, in the municipalities of Cogua and Tausa, Cundinamarca, about 70 km north of Bogota. The park covers roughly 3,700 hectares of Andean forest and conifer plantation around a large man-made lake at about 3,000 metres. It is not a beach in the usual sense: the shoreline is grass, reeds and pine-fringed banks rather than sand, and the water is dark and cold, so swimming is not the draw. The lake is broad and open, exposed to wind and frequent mist, and the mood is calm and family-oriented rather than social or rowdy. It is widely regarded as the most family-friendly of the Sabana reservoirs. Amenities are extensive for a nature park. Boats and pedalos can be hired on the water, and sport fishing for trout is a signature activity. Camping fields and rental cabins allow overnight stays, while marked walking and mountain-bike trails run through the forest and along the shore. Picnic shelters, toilets and parking are provided, and park rangers are on site. Since July 2026, private craft may also navigate the reservoir under CAR technical rules, so visitors with their own boats should check the current requirements with the park before arriving. The park is open year-round. Access is by road along the Cogua-Tausa route at around kilometre 12. Public transport means a bus from Portal del Norte to Zipaquira, then a local bus towards Cogua or Tausa, which takes about two hours in total; by car via the Autopista Norte and Zipaquira the trip is closer to 1.5 hours. Weather is changeable and chilly, with drizzle possible at any time of year, so warm and waterproof clothing is essential. Weekends draw Bogota families, while weekdays are quiet and better suited to walking and birdwatching among the pines.