Southern Arkansas Valley

Home to the charming towns of Salida and Buena Vista, the Southern Arkansas Valley hides a few pleasant paddleboard lakes in its surrounding mountains.  The lakes in this area are fairly small, but they can provide great half-day on the water to complement many of the other activities in this fun area of Colorado.  Two of the lakes--Cottonwood and O'Haver--are featured below.

Cottonwood Lake

Cottonwood Lake

Cottonwood Lake is about 7 miles west of Buena Vista on County Road 306 (Cottonwood Pass Road), then 3 miles south on County Road 344.  There is a national forest picnic area (fee site) on the east side of the lake, and a free boat launch for non-motorized crafts on the west side.  There is also a campground just beyond the lake.   

Vicinity Map

    Cottonwood Lake [key]   

    Scenery: 5

    Shoreline Interest: 2
    Use: Moderate
    Fee: None for boat launch
    Access: Gravel
    Full elev = 9552; natural
    Rec. info 
    Weather 

    O'Haver Lake [key] 
    Scenery: 4
    Shoreline Interest: 1
    Use: Mod-high
    Fee: $7/veh day use
    Access: Gravel
    Full elev = 9180; natural
    Rec. info 
    Weather 

Earthquake Lake

Earthquake Lake is just a few miles outside of Yellowstone National Park and is one of the most fascinating landforms in the region.  The lake, which did not exist prior to 1959, formed when a strong earthquake caused a hillside collapse that dammed the Madison River.  What remains today is a narrow lake in a steep valley with hundreds of drowned trees poking out of the water.

Earthquake Lake

Earthquake Lake parallels a segment of U.S. 287 just west of Hebgen Lake, about 30 minutes from West Yellowstone, MT.  The lake can be accessed from a primitive boat launch off of U.S. 287, about a half mile west of the Beaver Creek Campground.  The campground overlooks the lake, but there are no sites right at the water's edge.  The boat launch looks like it may have been the old highway that ran through the valley before the lake was formed.  This is probably the best place to put in because any roadside access further west would require scrambling down a steep embankment.

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]    

    Scenery: 5
    Shoreline Interest: 4
    Use: Low-moderate
    Fee: None for day use
    Access: Paved
    Full elev: 6395; natural;

    minimal variation
    Rec. info 
    Weather 

The Sunken iPhone Treasure

As mentioned in our previous post on our favorite accessories, a waterproof phone case is one of the cheapest, yet most valuable accessories you can have.  We discovered the value of these the hard way, thanks to an act of foolishness, or carelessness, or clumsiness, or whatever you want to attribute it to... 

Gross Reservoir: vast, black, DEEP

Favorite SUP Accessories

This post does a quick tour (in no particular order) of some our favorite accessories that we've discovered for our stand-up-paddleboards.  We will likely add to this as we play around with more products!

  

As a quick note, our inflatable paddleboards are made by iRocker, so some of these specific accessories might not be compatible with every brand :(

Eleven Mile Reservoir

Eleven Mile Reservoir is an unique stand-up paddle spot that is best characterized by the large boulders and rocky outcrops that stand over its eastern shore.  It also sees its share of wind, so check the hourly forecast before heading out.  

Paddling through the enormous boulders

The reservoir is located a little more than an hour west of Colorado Springs, near the town of Lake George.  The trek from Denver--not nearly as direct--involves traveling south to the Springs then west on U.S. 24, or southwest on U.S. 285 then back east to the reservoir.  If neither of those drives sound appealing, a more scenic alternative connects Woodland Park and Pine via State Highway 67 and Jefferson County 126.  

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Open lakeshore with rock outcrops & boulders
    Scenery: 3
    Shoreline Interest: 5
    Use: Moderate-High
    Fee: $9/vehicle
    Access: Paved
    Full elev = 8597; Best near full 

    Water level
    Rec. map 
    Rec. info 
    Weather

Northern Summit County

The lower Blue River basin is home to a couple of good paddleboard spots that are less than an hour downvalley from Silverthorne.  This sprawling ranchlands of the valley and rugged peaks of the Gore Range can make this area feel much further removed from the Summit ski resort towns than it really is.  

Lower Cataract Lake

Green Mountain Reservoir is the other large reservoir in Summit County.  With plenty of space and much lower visibility than the more popular Lake Dillon, it can be a quieter getaway on busy summer weekends.  Although Green Mountain is large, there are a few little nooks that are great for paddleboarding when the water level is high.  Lower Cataract Lake is only a few miles west of Green Mountain but entirely different in character.  The picturesque surroundings of the Gore Range foothills and the distant roar of the waterfall beyond put in the top tier of scenic paddleboard lakes.  

Piney Lake

Piney Lake is a very photogenic destination about 45 minutes north of Vail.  Mt. Powell--the highest summit of the Gore Range--and lazily named Peak C form the rugged mountain backdrop behind Piney Lake.

Piney Lake

The shores of Piney Lake are part of the privately owned Piney River Ranch, but they are open to public access, with a $10/craft launch fee.  The ranch also rents paddleboards and canoes for $35/hr.  Piney lake is accessible starting June 21st when the access road is opened by the forest service.  The lake is accessed via Red Sandstone Road on the north side of Vail, about a mile west of the central Vail exit (176).  The route to the lake is well signed at all important junctions.  The last few miles of the dirt road have some rougher sections but can be easily navigated by most cars with slow and careful driving.  The Piney River Ranch website has more detailed information on access, parking and day use.  This is also a popular trailhead for hikers trekking up the Piney River Trail.  

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Scenery: 5
    Shoreline Interest: 3
    Use: Mod-High
    Fee: $10/craft
    Access: 2WD rough dirt
    Full elev = 9350; natural

    Rec map 

    Rec. info

    Weather 

Floating among the trees

One of the seasonal treats of the late spring is when reservoir levels rise up to and sometimes above the normal full elevation of the lake.  In some places, the high water laps back into wooded areas beyond the regular shoreline and inundates the tree trunks under a shallow depth of water.  When this happens, one can explore through the maze of trees via watercraft for a calming and unique paddleboard experience. 

Inundated cottonwoods at the south end of Chatfield Lake

There are a few places on the front range that are great for paddling through the trees when the season is right.  

Lake San Cristobal

Large, natural lakes are somewhat of a rarity in Colorado.  Lake San Cristobal is one of these and it is a special place.  Located 2 miles south of Lake City, San Cristobal follows a sweeping arc along the Lake Fork of the Gunnison beneath lofty, alpine peaks.  

Lake San Cristobal

Lake San Cristobal makes a great destination because it is very close to the conveniences of Lake City and has plenty of other local diversions.  Five peaks over 14,000 feet reside in the surrounding mountain ranges, four of which have trail-accessible summits.  Many more peaks are slightly less lofty but far less visited.  A relaxing afternoon on San Cristobal makes a great complement to an early morning ascent of a nearby summit.  For those with a four-wheel drive vehicle, the Alpine Loop continues up the road above the lake in a spectacular circuit over Cinnamon and Engineer passes before looping back to Lake City.  There are many camping opportunities in the Lake Fork and Henson Creek drainages, as well as the developed Wupperman Campground on the lake's eastern shores.  

Vicinity Map

Location info: [key]

Scenery: 5
Shoreline Interest: 3
Use: Moderate
Fee: None for day use
Access: Gravel
Water surface elev = 9000; 

No elev change; natural
Rec info 
Weather 

Morrow Point Reservoir

Deep and narrow Morrow Point Reservoir is the central of the three lakes in the Curecanti National Recreation Area.  It begins immediately downstream of Blue Mesa Dam.  But unlike the highly visible Blue Mesa Lake, Morrow Point cannot be seen from U.S. 50 and is only visible from a few locations on State Highway 92--both of which run less than a mile from the lake.  The hidden nature of the lake and the moderate effort required to reach the water make Morrow Point one of the best stand-up-paddle surprises in Colorado. 

Morrow Point Reservoir

Access

Accessing Morrow Point requires hiking down about 180 vertical feet from the Pine Creek Trailhead in the Curecanti Recreation Area.  The Pine Creek Trail, which is also serves guests of boat tours run by the park service, is well-constructed and consists of about 230 stairs to descend to the Gunnison River.  The flow of the river might appear fast or turbulent when it first comes into view.  The gradual transition of river flow to still lake water occurs over the next half-mile.  It will likely be necessary to hike some of all of this distance along the trail paralleling the river to find a suitable launch point.  River flows can change quickly in this stretch, and there are some protruding rocks that create whitewater conditions.  It's best to launch after the tour boat dock becomes visible to avoid surprises.  

Vicinity Map

    Location info: [key]

    Scenery: 5
    Shoreline Interest: 5
    Use: Low-Moderate
    Fee: None
    Access: Gravel + 0.5 mi, 200' vert hike down
    Full elev = 7160; Best above 7153;

    Current water level

    Rec info

    Rec map

    Weather

Green River Lakes

The Green River Lakes form the headwaters of the Green River--the same Green River that flows through Flaming Gorge, Dinosaur and Canyonlands National Park.  Lower Green River Lake with the backdrop of Squaretop Mountain forms one on the most photogenic vistas in the state of Wyoming.  Located at the northwest corner of the reclusive Wind River Range--outside of any national park boundary--the Green River Lakes are far less known and less visited than the more familiar scenes of the Tetons and Yellowstone.  From the Cirque of the Towers in the south to Titcomb Basin in the north, the 80-mile long Wind River Range features some of the most remote, wild and dramatic terrain of the lower 48 states.  The Green River Lakes are no exception.  

Lower Green River Lake with Squaretop Mountain beyond

The western flank of the Wind Rivers is home to several large, natural, glacially formed lakes--the largest of which (Fremont Lake) is 12 miles long and up to 600 feet deep.  Lower Green River Lake, significantly smaller, is better proportioned for human-powered paddle craft.  The Green River Lakes Recreation Site is 50 miles north of Pinedale, WY along mostly unpaved road.  Despite the distance, the road is in decent condition and the miles pass surprisingly smoothly.  The northern half of the road is public land and has many pleasant and scenic dispersed camping sites in the rolling meadows between the Wind River Range foothills and the meandering Green River.  There is also a forest service campground at the lake.  Bears inhabit this area, so camp responsibly.

 

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Scenery: 5
    Shoreline Interest: 2
    Use: Low-moderate
    Fee: None for day use
    Access: Gravel
    Full elev: 7975; minimal variation; natural

    Rec info

    Weather

Rocky Mountain and Estes Park

Majestic Rocky Mountain National Park is an immensely popular tourist destination that many locals avoid during peak season.  For the 2021 season, the park is planning to a timed entry system from 5/28/2021 through 10/11/2021.  Off-season is still busy but can offer a more leisurely experience if you get a little creative with when you visit.  We recommend visiting on a weekday, even in the off-season.  

The current published policy on watercraft is buried at the bottom of the park's fishing regulations, and allows non-motorized crafts on all park waters except Bear Lake.  There are a handful of nice paddleboarding lakes in the park that are both close to a road and area not Bear Lake.  The park has specific fishing regulations for different water bodies within the park, so carefully review the fishing page if you plan to bring a rod.  A parks entrance permit ($25/daily) or annual pass is required for all waters and trails.  

Lake Estes with Lumpy Ridge beyond

Estes Park--the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain--also features a pleasant paddleboarding destination in Lake Estes.  Lake Estes is a great backup plan for days when parking or entry to Rocky Mountain proves difficult, or when conditions higher up are less pleasant.  With a larger water surface and rentals available, it's also a great destination on its own.  Scroll to the end of the post for info on Lake Estes. 

Wellington Lake

Tranquil Wellington Lake is nestled in the rolling pine forests south of Bailey.  A well-recognized rocky peak called The Castle adds to the scenic backdrop of this inviting location.  Wellington Lake is 12 miles south of Bailey on County Road 68.  It is also quite close to the Buffalo Creek mountain bike trail network, and makes for a nice post-ride excursion after a day in the saddle. 

Wellington Lake and The Castle

Starting June 2021, Wellington Lake will be implementing an online reservation-only system for summertime day use, accessed here.  Camping is also available at the lake and can be reserved online as well.  However, sites may book up quickly in the summer due to the lake's popularity.  Dispersed camping is also permitted at designated sites in the Buffalo Creek mountain bike area, such as Forest Roads 550 and 554.  These areas are also popular on weekends.  

Vicinity Map

    Location info: [key]

    Scenery: 4
    Shoreline Interest: 2
    Use: Moderate-High
    Fee: $14/person
    Access: Gravel
    Full elev = 8000; Best near full

    Rec. map

    Rec. info

    Weather

Wellington Lake is privately owned and operated, but has been open to public enjoyment for decades. Considering how many private lakes are not open to public, it's refreshing that Wellington Lake continues to be shared as a recreational gem for the region. The day use and camping fees collected here help the operator to sustain its presence in our mountains.

Day Use area at Wellington Lake

Wellington Lake

Paddleboard and kayak rentals are available at the lake during the summer. This makes Wellington Lake a great place to introduce family or friends to the sport as part of a larger, varied outing. A signed waiver and PFD are required for all paddling activities, whether rented or brought. Local hiking trails and a waterfall add to the diversions around the lake's perimeter.

Springtime mountain backdrop at Wellington Lake

The water can be quite cold in the spring, so PFD usage is prudent. The lake also has enough wind exposure to make for choppy conditions mid-lake. If the water is cold and a breeze exists, it's always a good option to sit or kneel on the paddleboard for a lower center of gravity.  But, as the top photo shows, conditions can just as easily be still and glassy.  Consider a wetsuit during the early season (before June) in case of an inadvertent dip, especially if still building comfort with the board.  For more information on cold water considerations, browse through the  safety page.  Have fun exploring the area, and stay safe on the water!

Please feel free to add observations of current conditions to the comments!

Farley Canyon

Farley Canyon is one of countless side canyons on Utah's Lake Powell, but offers the perk of being vehicle-accessible with a 4X4.  In years past, Farley Canyon was a popular launch point and camping area.  The low water levels of recent years have caused the shoreline to retreat a couple of miles from the original recreation area.  At present, Farley Canyon is a separate water body from Lake Powell proper but is connected to the Colorado River by a short inflow channel.  

Primitive camping is available at Farley Canyon, and there is a restroom at the adjacent recreation site (may be locked off-season).  As part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, there is a fee of $12/night to camp here.  Camping is permitted both at the recreation area and shoreside below the high water elevation of 3700 feet.  Check regulations and fees, as they are subject to change by the National Park Service.  Quagga mussels--an aquatic invasive species--have also been present in this area.  Be sure to thoroughly clean, drain and dry any vessel or gear that has contacted the water after use.  Also ensure that no water is transported out of this lake into any other body of water.  

   

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Scenery: 5
    Shoreline Interest: 4
    Use: Low
    Fee: $12/day if camping
    Access: 1+ mi of 4WD 

    with sidehill section before water
    Elev at full = 3700; 

    cut-off from main lake under 3600, 

    good at any water level 
    Rec info 
    Weather 

Denver City Parks

The City and County of Denver permits hand-launched boating on five designated lakes within its parks system:

• Ferrill Lake (City Park)
• Smith Lake (Washington Park)
• Sloan Lake
• Berkely Lake
• Rocky Mountain Lake

Previously, Denver Parks required a permit to launch a watercraft on these lakes.  As of 2021, permits for hand-launched vessels are no longer required.

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    Scenery: 1
    Shoreline Interest: 1
    Use: High
    Fee: None
    Access: Paved
    Rec. info 
    Weather 







These public urban parks might not have the grandeur of Colorado's mountain lakes, but they are close and convenient for a great number of Colorado's residents.  They also inhabit charming neighborhoods with unique, eclectic shops and restaurants.  These city lakes are good options when time only allows an hour or two to get on the water.  Have fun, be safe, and support neighborhood businesses!

Please feel free to add observations of current conditions to the comments!

McIntosh Lake

McIntosh Lake is an close, convenient stand-up paddle place for those in the Boulder County area.  Located within a Longmont neighborhood park, it enjoys a scenic backdrop of Longs Peak and Mt. Meeker.  

To minimize traffic and noise impacts for area residents, the city has implemented a 25 watercraft maximum on the lake.  If there are more than 25 vessels on the water, please return at a less busy time, or instead visit another water body.  Union Reservoir, 15 minutes to the east, is a good alternative when McIntosh is busy.  

Vicinity Map

    Location Info: [key]

    

    Scenery: 2
    Shoreline Interest: 1
    Use: High
    Fee: None
    Access: Paved
    Full elev = 5080; 

    late season drawdown possible
    Rec. info 
    Weather 

Please be respectful of the community that shares this wonderful amenity with the public by adhering the the 25 watercraft maximum.  Avoid busy times by visiting early morning, weekdays, or off-season.  In late summer and fall, the water level may drop requiring a short traverse over mud flats to access the shore.  Have fun and stay safe!

Please feel free to add observations of current conditions to the comments!

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.  

Bear Creek & Big Soda Lakes

Conveniently located within the City of Lakewood, Big Soda Lake is possibly the worst kept stand-up paddle secret in Colorado.  High visibility, easy access, and a wake-free water contribute to its popularity.  Neighboring Bear Creek Lake allows motorized boating but offers more wooded coves and a change of scenery.  Both lakes are accessed with a day pass ($10) or annual pass ($80) to Bear Creek Lake Park.

Big Soda Lake

    Location Info: [key]
    Bear Creek & Big Soda

    Use: High
    Fee: $10/vehicle
    Access: Paved

    Rec map 

    Rec info 

    Weather 

    Bear Creek Lake: [key]

    Scenery: 3
    Shoreline Interest: 3
    Full (active) elev = 5565

    Big Soda Lake: [key]

    Scenery: 2 

    Shoreline Interest: 2

    Full elev = 5700; 

    may experience late-season algae bloom

Bear Creek Lake Park can get very busy on summer weekends, and entry to the park is not assured for late morning or mid-day arrivals.  For less company, visit in the evening or on a weekday.  

Grand Mesa

Grand Mesa is Colorado's wonderland of water.  The lush plateau at 10,000 feet of elevation features thick forests, subalpine meadows and more than a hundred lakes.  There are a handful of developed campgrounds off the main roads and many more dispersed sites in the surrounding national forest.  The vast array of lakes make for a great multi-day excursion that can be complemented with nearby hiking and mountain biking, or even with a vineyard escape to Palisade.  

Waterdog Lake; Grand Mesa

The mesa top region is traversed by the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (State Highway 65).  Water access ranges from roadside Cobbett Lake and Island Lake (featured below) to many secluded lakes only reachable by high-clearance or four-wheel-drive.  

Vicinity Map

Location Info: [key]

(Island Lake)

Scenery: 4
Shoreline Interest: 2
Use: Low-moderate
Fee: $4 or as posted
Access: Gravel
Full elev = 10260
Rec info 
Weather 

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