Curt Gowdy State Park

A recreational gem sits in the lumpy, rolling Laramie Range of southern Wyoming.  Curt Gowdy State Park has something for everybody: hiking, mountain biking, wildlife, boating, and even waterside camping!  The state park has become quite popular among Wyoming residents and Coloradoans exploring beyond the state's borders.  For stand-up paddleboarders, the park has three different lakes with their own personalities.  The most interesting paddling is in the lakes' inlets, which meander through the granite outcrops and mid-elevation pine forests that typify the region.  

Granite Springs Reservoir

Even though Curt Gowdy is in a different state, it's a surprisingly quick trip from Denver.  The route to Gowdy follows Wyoming State Highway 210 (Happy Jack Road), exit 10D from Interstate 25.  The exit is about 1.5 miles past Interstate 80, and the route to the park is clearly signed from this point onward.  The main entrance to the park is about 24 miles west of Interstate 25, for a total travel time from Denver of around 2 hours (without traffic).  If you're traveling from Colorado (or any other state), the non-resident fees are $12 for day use and $32.34 for camping.  

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    (Granite Springs / Crystal / 

        Upper North Crow)

    Scenery: 4 / 4 / 3
    Shoreline Interest: 4 / 4 / 3
    Use: Moderate / Low-moderate / Low
    Fee: $12/veh day use (non-res)
    Access: Paved/Gravel
    Full elev: 7200 / 6990 / 7500
    Rec info 
    Rec map
    Weather 

Sweetwater Lake

Nestled in the eastern foothills of the Flattops, Sweetwater Lake is one of Colorado's lesser known gems.  Imposing cliffs flank the lake on its north and south sides, creating dramatic vistas from many perspectives around the lake.  The mid-elevation terrain, natural shoreline and wild backdrop give the Sweetwater Lake a unique personality that will surely make it a favorite among the many paddleboarding waters in Colorado.

Sweetwater Lake

The land around the lake recently opened up to public use after many years of private ownership.  Acquisition of the surrounding land by the Forest Service was facilitated through the Eagle Valley Land Trust to protect the area from potential private development.  In October of 2021, Sweetwater Lake became the newest addition to Colorado's collection of state parks.  This will allow recreation on and around the lake to be managed under a partnership between Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the National Forest Service.    

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Scenery: 4
    Shoreline Interest: 2
    Use: Low-mod
    Fee: None
    Access: Gravel
    Full elev = 7709; natural

    Rec map
    Rec info 
    Weather 

Southwest Utah

Located in the southwest corner of Utah, the St. George area is about as removed of a getaway that one can get from Denver while crossing only one state line.  But at about 3000 feet in elevation, the region enjoys an early spring climate more comparable to Las Vegas than the rest of Colorado and Utah.  There is also a surprising cluster of lakes in the area that maintain more moderate early season water temperatures than lakes on the Front Range.  Additionally, a large vacation rental market makes it a viable option for an early season destination from Colorado (i.e. spring break).  

Sand Hollow Lake

Multiple stand-up paddle places are featured here and they all have different personalities.  Adding recreational variety to a trip here are numerous hiking and mountain biking trails in the surrounding red-rock lands, including renowned Zion National Park and Gooseberry Mesa.  

Chatfield State Park

Chatfield State Park is one of the most popular spots for stand-up paddleboarding in Colorado. 

Non-motorized ponds and large wake-free areas of the main reservoir make for a variety of inviting paddling opportunities.  In addition, multiple rental sites for paddleboards, kayaks and other crafts set up within the park.  There are enough places to explore that it will take multiple trips to tour them all.  

Chatfield Gravel Pond

Chatfield's proximity to Denver makes it a convenient place for a half-day time window or a great opportunity to stretch the early or late limits of the season.  Summer weekends can be very busy.  Once the park reaches capacity, incoming vehicles will be turned back at the gates.  But if you have already made it into the park, there is plenty of water acreage for everyone.  Better yet, early mornings, weekdays, spring and fall offer the chance to avoid crowds altogether.  The  photo of solitary padding above is from a warm day in mid-November.  

Vicinity map

Location info: [key]

Scenery: 2
Shoreline Interest: 2-3
Use: High
Fee: $9/vehicle
Access: Paved
Full (active) elev = 5430; Best near full, 

late season drawdown possible;  

Water level 

(scroll down to "water levels")
Rec map 
Rec info 
Weather 

Barr Lake

Barr Lake floats under the radar of many Denver area paddlers as compared to more popular places like Soda Lake and Chatfield.  Its appeal is calm water, moderate visitation and heavily wooded coves that create a sanctuary for wildlife.  

Barr Lake

Located just outside the 470 beltway, Barr Lake is one of the closest stand-up paddle places to the Denver area.  It is especially convenient for residents of the northern or eastern parts of the metro area and those with state parks passes.  Its location in the opposite direction from the mountains and its lack of visibility from major roads help to moderate the number of visitors on busy summer days.  

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Scenery: 3
    Shoreline Interest: 3
    Wakeless
    Use: Moderate
    Fee: $9/vehicle
    Access: Paved
    Full elev = 5105; 

    best near full, 

    late season drawdown possible
    Rec. info 

    Rec. map
    Weather