Boating & Paddling

As your location around Colorado changes, so does your boating or paddling experience. Consider a peaceful excursion on a serene alpine lake, a pine-tree-cradled body of water that supports a fleet of sailboats, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. Or hold tight as your motorboat and water skis zip across the glittering waters of a Colorado State Park reservoir on the sun-collecting eastern prairie or the vast reservoirs of the Western Slope. Jet boating or white-water rafting on the mighty Colorado River offer more ways to feel the wind whip through your hair.

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A row of sailboats is docked along a pier on a lake with mountain peaks in the background — Boats docked in Navajo State Park

A motorboat trawls the teal waters of the lake. Mountains, covered in green trees line the coast and dock. — Boats at Ridgway State Park

On a lake surrounded by an evergreen-covered slope, a canoe makes its way across the gray water — Boating in Pearl Lake State Park

A sailboat with white sails and one with an orange and red one cruises across choppy waters — Sailboats at Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland

Kayaking in northwest Colorado's Gore Canyon

A yellow kayaker paddles along the Cache la Poudre River, dodging rocks and rapids; he wears a helmet — Kayaking along the Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins

Eight people in red lifejackets inside a blue raft paddle through white rapids — White-water rafting the Colorado River
White-water rafting the Colorado River

Stand-up paddleboarding at Chatfield State Park near Littleton (photo courtesy Colorado Parks & Wildlife)
Colorado Parks & Wildlife

Here's a fun fact: Colorado boasts 18 singularly gorgeous rivers you can test your mettle on during our adventurous rafting season, which peaks in late spring following the seasonal snowmelt.

No matter what type of water adventure you're seeking, Colorado's secluded coves, miles of meandering rivers, acres of placid waters and numerous outfitters make for an adventurous stay in the Centennial State.

If you do come to Colorado carrying a boat, be sure it adheres to all state licensing before your hull touches water. For information on boat registration and Colorado's boatable waters, contact the Colorado State Parks system. Horsepower limits also apply to various bodies of water, so make sure your motors don’t overpower what’s allowed.

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