Rueter-Hess Reservoir lies in the hilly uplands between Castle Pines and Parker, 4.7 miles east of I-25 on Hess Road (Exit 188). It is a new-ish lake, and is not as widely known as other Denver area lakes. The reservoir began filling in 2011, and did not permit water activities for several years. The ultimate potential for regional recreation on the Rueter-Hess property has been envisioned in planning documents for many years. As the reservoir has filled, and as funding has been dedicated for amenity development, different facets of the park vision are gradually being realized. 2019 saw the introduction of Paddle Days by Douglas County Parks and Recreation District. Since then, water recreation has expanded from a handful of Saturdays and Sunday in the summer months to a respectable 5-month season of 4-day weekends.
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| Rueter-Hess Reservoir, looking southwest |
A $10 parking reservation is required to access the reservoir, and must be obtained ahead of time from the Douglas County Parks website. The reservoir gates are open from 8 am to 6 pm, Friday through Monday, late May through October. All watercraft will be inspected to prevent the introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) to the reservoir. This process will be much quicker if your boards have been thoroughly wiped down since your last SUP session. If the thought of unloading and reloading your equipment for inspection causes anxiety, an alternative is to reserve and rent on-site. Surf'SUP Colorado sets up right on the shoreline and offers paddleboards and other equipment for rent. No gear hauling and perfect for introducing someone new to the activity!
Location Info: [key]
Rentals: Surf'SUP Colorado
Rules and regulations
Since Rueter-Hess is a municipal supply reservoir, it is more closely regulated than many other lakes. Importantly, swimming and direct contact with the water are strictly prohibited. Dogs are not permitted in the water or on the shoreline. Personal flotation devices are also required to be worn at all times when on the water. Day use permits require review and acknowledgement of the rules in order to complete their purchase.
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| Paddling on Rueter-Hess |
Rueter-Hess Reservoir is vast, and the boat launch isn't in a particularly compact part of the reservoir. Any exploration will require paddling along a fairly large expanse of open water, which can invite choppy conditions. The most interesting terrain on the lake is probably the inlet coves, west of the launch area. It is worth planning for early morning or a relatively calm day because the conditions aren't as forgiving as smaller, more compact lakes. Check the weather and hourly forecast before charting a course--particularly the wind speed and direction.
Nearby Diversions
The other popular feature on the Rueter-Hess property is the Incline Trail. It is 1.4 miles west of the reservoir entrance on Hess Road. The incline does not require a parking reservation. Snakes are sometimes seen here, so keep an eye out! For disc golfers, the Pronghorn Disc Golf Course is located further west on Hess Road, about 4 miles from the entrance. The City of Castle Pines permits responsible beverage consumption on the course, so play respectfully.
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| Incline Trail |
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| Leisurely float on the reservoir |
With a little planning ahead, and a decent weather forecast, Rueter-Hess can be a nice change of scenery from the south metro's more popular lakes. It can be a nice complement to another nearby activity on foot or on two wheels. Be sure to review the rules when you snag a reservation, have fun and wear a PFD!
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