Paddle boarding has quickly become one of the most popular water sports in Colorado, thanks to the state’s beautiful lakes. The areas around Denver and Boulder are teeming with spots for stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), many with beautiful mountain views. Here is our guide to the 15 best lakes within an hour of Denver offering paddle boarding experiences for all skill levels.
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Lakes by Driving Time from Denver
This list of lakes is sorted by driving time from the center of Denver (per Google Maps).
| Lake | Time & Distance from Denver (average from center of Denver) | On-Site SUP Rentals |
|---|---|---|
| Smith Lake Washington Park, Denver | 11 minutes / 3.6 miles | Yes |
| Rocky Mountain Lake Park and Berkeley Lake Park, Denver | 11 minutes / 4 miles | No |
| City Park’s Finlin Lake, Denver | 12 minutes / 3.5 miles | Yes |
| Sloan’s Lake, Denver | 14 minutes / 5 miles | Yes |
| Big Soda Lake at Bear Creek, Lakewood | 25 minutes / 18 miles | Yes |
| Cherry Creek Reservoir, Aurora | 27 minutes / 18 miles | Yes |
| Chatfield Gravel Ponds and Chatfield Reservoir, Littleton | 30 minutes / 18 miles | Yes |
| Standley Lake, Westminster | 33 minutes / 19 miles | Yes |
| Evergreen Lake, Evergreen | 34 minutes / 28 miles | Yes |
| Aurora Reservoir, Aurora | 39 minutes / 32 miles | Yes |
| Boulder Reservoir, Boulder | 41 minutes / 33 miles | Yes |
| Union Reservoir, Longmont | 42 minutes / 37 miles | Yes |
| McIntosh Lake, Longmont | 49 minutes / 44 miles | No |
Top Lake Recommendations
We’ve leveraged our years of paddle boarding, rowing, and swimming in many of these lakes to come up with our top lakes recommendations. These opinions are purely our own. Some of our main criteria to determine these top lakes are:
- Motorboat free or has areas where you can easily avoid boat wake
- Ranks well for water quality
- An added bonus is a swim beach and/or options for open water swimming
There are some big name lakes missing on our favorites list, namely Cherry Creek and Boulder Reservoirs. They are both beautiful spots for any water sports. The motor boat wakes are hard to avoid though, which is why we didn’t include them in our favorites. Boulder Reservoir does have wake free hours, though they are quite limited. Sloan’s Lake is also often top ranked, but was left off our favorites due to the water quality concerns. These opinions are purely our own.
| Best Overall Denver Area SUP Lakes | Chatfield Reservoir and Gravel Pond, Aurora Reservoir |
| Best Close-In Mountain Lake Experience | Evergreen Lake |
| Best Lake with Red Rocks Views | Big Soda Lake at Bear Creek |
| Best Boulder Area SUP Lakes | Union Reservoir, McIntosh Lakes |
| Best Birding | Standley Lake |
Paddle Boarding Safety Tips
Here are essential safety tips to keep in mind before you go paddle boarding on Denver area lakes:
- Wear a Life Jacket: Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. It can save your life in case of an unexpected fall into the water, even if you are a strong swimmer. Consider a low-profile jacket such as the Astral YTV. Most lakes require you to wear a life jacket and carry a whistle in case of emergency.
- Check the Weather: Before heading out, check the weather conditions. Colorado’s weather can change rapidly. It’s crucial to avoid paddle boarding during high winds, thunderstorms, or when there are white caps on the water.
- Use a Leash: A board leash keeps your paddle board attached to you at all times. This is particularly important in Colorado, where winds can suddenly push your board away from you if you fall off.
- Know Your Limits: Be aware of your physical limits and skill level. Start in calm, shallow waters if you’re a beginner and avoid areas with heavy boat traffic or strong currents.
- Plan Your Route: Inform someone about your planned route and expected return time. Stick to areas that are well-known and appropriate for your skill level.
- Bring Along a Phone: waterproof cases with a lanyard are an inexpensive and easy way to carry your phone. Be sure to add the lake patrol’s phone number before heading out.
- Protect Against the Sun: At higher altitudes, the sun’s effects are more intense. Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and UV-protective clothing to guard against sunburn and overexposure.
- Hydration and Snacks: Bring along water and some snacks.
1. Smith Lake Washington Park
| Location | Longmont |
| Time/distance from Denver | 11 min / 3.6 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Wheel Fun Rentals |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | Free of charge |
| SUP Rental Fee | $20/hour |
Smith Lake is a convenient city lake, easy for a quick outing after work or over a lunch break. In addition to paddle boards, you can rent kayaks, paddle boats, and bikes.
2. and 3. Rocky Mountain Lake and Berkeley Lake
| Location | Denver |
| Time / distance from Denver | 11 minutes / 4 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | none on-site |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | Free of charge |
Rocky Mountain Lake and Berkeley Lake are just down the street from each other, so they are included here together. If you have your own SUP, or rent one and bring it along, these are nice lakes for a short paddle close to town. Though the views are decent, they are both very close to I-70, and you hear the traffic while on the lake.
4. City Park’s Finlin Lake
| Location | Denver |
| Time / distance from Denver | 12 minutes / 3.5 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Wheel Fun |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | Free of charge |
| SUP Rental Fee | $20/hour |
Finlin Lake in City Park is conveniently located if you’d like to combine this with a visit to the Denver Zoo, Denver Botanic Gardens, or the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. On a clear day, there are nice mountain views to the west. Paddling here definitely feels like you are in the heart of the city, but it is still peaceful. Wheel Fun also rents swan boats, kayaks, and bikes.
5. Sloan’s Lake
| Location | Denver |
| Time / distance from Denver | 14 minutes / 5 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Denver Paddleboards |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | Free of charge |
| SUP Rental Fee | $30 for 2 hours (rentals only with 1 day advanced notice) |
Sloan’s Lake is conveniently located in northwest Denver, and on a clear day, has great views of the city skyline. It is very popular with paddlers. Denver Paddleboards will deliver rentals onsite with at least 1 day’s advanced notice. Sloan’s Lake has known water quality issues, both due to pollution from run-off, and from algae issues. Swimming is not allowed, and is also highly discouraged.
6. Bear Creek (Big Soda Lake)
| Location | Lakewood |
| Time / distance from Denver | 25 minutes / 18 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Rocky Mountain Paddleboard |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
| Entry fees | $10 for a vehicle day pass / $5 for seniors and those with disabilities, $80 annual pass |
| SUP Rental Fee: | $30/hour, $45 for 2 hours. They do have discounted 10-packs available. |
Located in Lakewood, Big Soda Lake at Bear Creek is ideal for family outings. There are nice shady spots along the lake to setup for the day. The lake also has a swim beach and concessions during the summer season. In addition to the views of Red Rocks Park, the park has camping, hiking, biking, fishing, an archery range, and waterski and wakeboard lessons (in Little Soda Lake).
Bear Creek Lake Park is very close to Red Rocks Park. It is very easy to combine a morning of hiking at Red Rocks with an afternoon at the lake, or vice versa.
7. Cherry Creek State Park
| Location | Aurora |
| Time / Distance from Denver | 27 minutes / 18 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Rocky Mountain Paddleboard |
| Swimming allowed | Yes (swim beach and open water swimming) |
| Entry fees | $11 daily vehicle pass or free with state park pass with Cherry Creek permit |
| SUP Rental Fee | $30/hour, $45 for 2 hours. They do have discounted 10-packs available. |
Cherry Creek is a beautiful and large, close-in lake with a wide variety of activities. These include an archery range, a model airplane area, biking or hiking on the roads or trails, fishing, water skiing, birding, and more. This is a very popular summer waterski and jet ski spot, meaning that there is quite a bit of wake. If you visit on an uncrowded day or early in the morning, you can enjoy a 5 km paddle around the lake with beautiful city and mountain views.
8. and 9. Chatfield State Park
Chatfield State Park, just a short drive south of Denver, is a favorite of many for water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, open water swimming, and boating. There are 2 lakes at Chatfield for paddle boarding:: the main reservoir and the Chatfield gravel pond. In addition to the lakes, biking is very popular, in addition to hiking, horseback riding, water sports, and even a dog park.
| Location | Littleton |
| Time / Distance from Denver | 30 minutes / 18 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | 5280 Paddle Sports for the Gravel Pond Colorado Watersports for the Reservoir |
| Swimming allowed | Yes (at the Reservoir swim beach and at the gravel pond) |
| Entry fees | $10 daily vehicle pass or free with state park pass |
| Paddle board rental fees | $30 per hour or $40 for 2 hours for the Gravel Pond, $25 per hour for the reservoir |
Chatfield Gravel Pond
The gravel pond sits just south of the main reservoir. Though it’s smaller than the reservoir, no motorized boating is allowed, which makes for a peaceful and relaxing paddle. You will be sharing the gravel ponds with open water swimmers, but swimmers and paddle boarders seem to get along quite well from what we’ve experienced. If you’re interested in the swimming as well, there is a 1/2 mile (800 m) course from the north to south end of the gravel pond (1 mile / roughly 1600 m trip).
Chatfield Reservoir
Unliked Chatfield’s Gravel Pond, the reservoir does allow for motorized boating. While that can put a damper on paddlers, there are numerous areas on the reservoir that are wake free. If you launch from the Kingfisher lot on the south end of the reservoir, you can paddle in and amongst the trees that have been flooded with increasing water levels. While this may sound tricky, the trees are spread out so that this is quite relaxing (and you’ll find nice bird watching here). You can also continue through to the river that goes south (parallel to the Gravel Pond).
Bring your own paddle board or kayak, or rent on site through Colorado Watersports. They also rent kayaks, canoes, and sailboats (with skills test). You can rent paddle boards both from Roxborough Bay and the swim beach.
10. Standley Lake
| Location | Westminster |
| Time / distance from Denver | 33 minutes / 19 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | City of Westminster |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | $10 for a daily paddle pass (including the vehicle and one non-motorized boat) |
| SUP Rental Fee | $20/hour |
Standley Lake boasts expansive waters that cater to all levels of paddle boarders. The lake is motorboat free. You will find one ranger boat periodically traversing the waters and occasional electric boats. The west side of the lake is a wonderful spot to do some birding while you are paddling. This is some of the nicest and calmest water to paddle on in the Denver area.
Camping is also available in the park, as well as walking trails, educational programs, and fishing. If you’re interested in trying out rowing, the City of Westminster offers Oarboard rentals and lessons. This is a great way for first timers to try out the rowing experience.
A few notes on paddling at Standley:
- The lake is only open to boats May 1-September 30.
- If you bring your own boat, you must go through the spray station each time you enter the park. This is an easy process but something to be aware of.
11. Evergreen Lake
| Location | Evergreen |
| Distance / time from Denver | 34 minutes, 28 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Town of Evergreen |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | Free of charge |
| SUP Rental Fee | $25/hour for a single, $50/hour for an XL SUP fitting up to 4 people. |
| Personal SUP Use Fee | $10 during the week and $15 on weekends |
Evergreen Lake is a beautiful mountain lake just a short drive from Denver. This is a very peaceful spot with gorgeous views. Elk or deer frequently pass by the lake. You could easily combine a day at the lake with a drive up Mount Blue Sky. There are hiking trails and a golf course within the same park (Dedisse Park). While the golf course has a restaurant, we’d recommend heading into the downtown area of Evergreen for a bit to eat or ice cream after paddling.
There is free lake side parking available, though it can fill up on hot summer days. When it’s full, the town runs a shuttle from the overflow parking areas. If you bring your own boat, you will need to pay a personal SUP use fee and they will inspect your boat before entry.
12. Aurora Reservoir
| Location | Aurora |
| Time / distance from Denver | 39 minutes / 32 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | City of Aurora |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
| Entry fees | $10 vehicle fee, $15 on summer weekends and holidays |
| SUP Rental Fee | $20/hour |
Recognized for its pristine conditions and quiet surroundings, Aurora Reservoir is one of the best spots for paddle boarding near Denver. Its crystal-clear waters are inviting for a paddle or a day at the beach.
Aurora has one of the nicest beaches around Denver. In addition to a roped off swim area, there is a 150 yard swim course set just outside of the main swim area. On the northeast side of the lake, there is also an unsupervised 400-500 meter open water swim course set. You’ll frequently see scuba classes and triathlon training groups heading out from the northeast side.
13. Boulder Reservoir
| Location | Boulder |
| Distance / time from Denver | 41 minutes, 33 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Rocky Mountain Paddleboard |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
| Entry fees | Summer 2024, $12/adult and $9/senior and $7.25/youth for non-residents |
| SUP Rental Fee | $30/hour or $45 for 2 hours |
Just a short drive from downtown Boulder, Boulder Reservoir is a hotspot for water sports. It’s got a large body of water to paddle and has spectacular mountain views. If you’d like to combine a day of paddling with time at the swim beach, this may be a great option for you. The only reason it isn’t ranked as one of our top SUP spots around Denver is the motorboat wake. Keep in mind that the City of Boulder does offer a few no wake times each week. These are ideal times to go paddling, weather permitting. During the summer 2024, these are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings from 6 am – 10 and Thursday afternoons 4 pm – 8 pm. Check the website for no wake hours, as this varies by season.
14. Union Reservoir
| Location | Longmont |
| Time / distance from Denver | 42 minutes / 37 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | Rocky Mountain Paddleboard Longmont |
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
| Entry fees | $10 daily vehicle pass, $15/vehicle on summer weekends and holidays. $5 additional watercraft fee per non-motorized boat. |
| SUP Rental Fee | $30/hour or $45 for 2 hours |
Union Reservoir is a hidden gem for paddle board enthusiasts, with its calm waters and scenic views. It is a bit more of a drive from Denver but in our opinion, is worth the extra time. In addition to paddle sports, you’ll find a swim beach, scheduled open water swim sessions, sailing, fishing and plenty of rowers on the lake. The lake is nearly wake free.
There are plenty of shady picnic tables along the water. Bring your dog along for some paddling and a stop at the dog beach afterwards.
15. McIntosh Lake
| Location | Longmont |
| Distance / time from Denver | 49 minutes / 44 miles |
| Where to rent SUP’s | None available on site |
| Swimming allowed | No |
| Entry fees | Free of charge |
McIntosh Lake offers stunning mountain views of Long’s Peak and gentle waters perfect for paddle boarding. There are no motorized boats allowed in this residential lake. Other activities around the lake include a walking trail and fishing, tennis courts, and playgrounds.
The northwest side of the lake is buoyed off as a wildlife area. You’re likely to see plenty of birds when paddling just outside this area. Though this is the furthest of these lakes for paddle boarding, this is definitely one of the best Denver area lakes for paddle boarding.
Denver Paddle Boarding Wrap Up
The Denver area has a plentiful selection of lakes that are incredible for paddle boarding. If you’d like to go a bit further and explore beyond these 15 best Denver lakes for paddle boarding, you’ll find even more amazing lakes like Gross Reservoir, Lake Dillon, and Grand Lake. Happy Paddling!
Where to Stay in and around Denver
Deciding where you’d like to stay in Denver will depend heavily on which parts of the city you want to explore. Included are places to stay in Denver and also in surrounding areas such as Boulder and Golden. These choices are convenient to a number of the lakes we’ve listed and to the bigger sights in the city.
| Littleton: Hampton Inn & Suites Denver Littleton and La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Littleton-Red Rocks | These highly rated business hotels are convenient to Big Soda Lakes, with fitness center and indoor pool, and free breakfast. |
| Denver: Acoma House | The Acoma House is a top rates condo hotel, with full kitchens, located in Capitol Hill. |
| Denver: Flora House Denver | Flora House is a B&B located in a peaceful setting very close to many of the museums, zoo, and botanic gardens. |
| Golden: The Eddy Taproom & Hotel | 4-Star hotel located just 9 miles from Red Rocks in Golden, with fitness center, terrace, and restaurant. |
| Boulder: Hotel Boulderado | A wonderful historic gem of a hotel located just off of the pedestrian mall. |
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Travel Resources
Our preferred travel booking sites are below.
| Air Travel | CheapOair |
| Lodging | Booking.com, VRBO.com, Expedia.com, Hostelworld |
| Tours and Activities | Viator.com, GetYourGuide.com |
| Car rentals | Discovercars.com |
| Travel insurance | Squaremouth |
| Bike and scooter rentals | BikeBookings.com |
| Train tickets | Trainline |
loved the info. I have a trip planned to Denver later this year and was wanting to explore more of the area, then just Denver. this post has helped so much.
Thank you, hope you enjoy your trip to Denver!
Pinning for my next trip to Denver!
These lakes all look so magical! I’d especially love to visit Big Soda Lake, it looks so picturesque! I’ve done paddleboarding once and it was loads of fun! We are regular kayakers though and love to pack our kayak when we’re discovering new places! Thanks for the fabulous guide!
Thanks! Anything that is a good paddle board lake is generally a good kayak lake too!
I have yet to visit Denver, your post makes me want to visit in summer! Big Soda and Standley Lakes were probably my favorites just for looking so beautiful with those mountains in the background. Great tips about sun exposure at high altitude.
Thank you, and hope you have a chance to visit Denver.
Having grown up at the beach in Australia water sports are a big attraction to me. I’ve tried SUP a few times now so I could easily enjoy being on the water on Denver’s lakes.
I grew up on the water and still need my time on the water even when I’m in landlocked Colorado.
Despite having lived most of my life near water – sea or estuary – I haven’t yet tried paddle-boarding. I really must get around to trying it.
Once you’ve learned how, it’s a very peaceful way to spend time on the water.
[…] fun things to do in Denver during the summertime are visiting the State Capital, strolling through the Botanic Gardens, […]
[…] Head to Boulder Reservoir for stand-up paddleboarding or SUP yoga. […]
[…] the heat all summer by swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, or sailing on Boulder Reservoir or Longmont’s Union Reservoir. Mcintosh Lake in […]