Paddleboarding at Boyd Lake in Boyd Lake State Park
Paddleboarding at Boyd Lake State Park, located near Fort Collins, Colorado, offers an exceptional opportunity to enjoy serene waters and stunning mountain views. As one of northern Colorado's premier water recreation sites, Boyd Lake is ideal for both beginners and experienced paddleboarders looking to enjoy this invigorating activity. The calm, expansive reservoir spans over 1,700 acres, ensuring ample space for both recreation and relaxation.
### Adventure Guide to Paddleboarding at Boyd Lake
Heron Cove
Located near the park's main entrance, Heron Cove is a fantastic starting point for paddleboarders. The area features convenient water access and a sandy shoreline, making it easy to launch paddleboards. Early mornings at Heron Cove provide a tranquil experience where you might spot herons or other local wildlife along the shore.
Marina Inlet
The Boyd Lake Marina Inlet is another excellent paddleboarding location. It offers calm, sheltered waters ideal for those still mastering their balance. Equipment rentals, including paddleboards, are available on-site during the peak season, typically from late spring to early fall. The marina also features nearby restrooms and a picnic area for added convenience.
Swim Beach Area
South of the marina, the Swim Beach Area provides a family-friendly paddleboarding environment. While generally busier, paddleboarders can enjoy views of the Rockies while gliding across the glassy waters. Plan your visit during less crowded hours, such as weekday mornings, for a more peaceful experience.
Local Insights
Boyd Lake’s placid waters are maintained at a consistent level thanks to its connection to the Colorado-Big Thompson Project. This ensures paddleboarding conditions remain steady throughout the warm months. Additionally, local paddleboarding enthusiasts recommend exploring early or late in the day to avoid midday winds that can create surface choppiness.
Visitor Tips
Best Times: Summer mornings (7–10 AM) for calm water and fewer crowds.
What to Bring: A personal flotation device (PFD), water shoes, sunscreen, and your own paddleboard or rental information.
Directions: From downtown Fort Collins, take East Eisenhower Boulevard (U.S. 34) toward Loveland, covering the 15-mile drive in approximately 20 minutes.
Adventure Map
Reviews
Stephen Gillespie5 months ago
The boat inspector staff is friendly and helpful. The park is clean and well kept. People are (generally) courteous on and off the water.
The view of the mountains is pretty awesome.
I reluctantly recommend because I don’t want it to be crowded:).
Angelina Essentialsa month ago
First time here, and I'll definitely be back. Got some great captures of the sunrise over the lake, but I'm positive it's even more beautiful in Spring/Summer, when everything is alive and green! One thing I noticed is that the restrooms are actually heated - How cool is that? I'm new to NOCO, and enjoying my experiences so far!
Larry H5 months ago
I think I’m being generous giving 2 stars. The site is okay, but not like most state or federal campgrounds. But if you have considerate neighbors it’s not a problem. Unfortunately we didn’t. We were there 8 days and got to listen to barking dogs for 4 of those days. There were 3 camp hosts on my row that didn’t care about the dogs constantly barking. It wrecked our trip. The sites need some good cleaning and care. Ours was covered in weeds. What the sites actually look like, and what the pictures show on the web site and completely different. The bathrooms were clean, but no soap for washing your hands the whole time we were there. Costs! The advertised cost around $35 is misleading. There is a user fee of $10 per vehicle per day. I had a motorcycle and my tow vehicle, 8 days = $160. Add the taxes and other fees and I payed $65 a day to stay at a weed infested dog park. I tried to meet the people with the dogs, maybe hint about the noisy dogs. They were very unfriendly. I met the campers on the other side of them and they were upset about the dogs too but said the camp host was just as unfriendly as the people with the dogs. Maybe they don’t like people from out of state here. They don’t have to worry about it, I won’t be back. And I’ll spread the word. I attached a video to show what my stay was like. I hope the volume works so you can hear what it was like.
Elizabeth Leilia month ago
We absolutely love this lake. It’s well kept, well stocked, and well managed. We feel safe here, and love all the different options of activities. You can fish, swim, ride bikes or scooters, there’s a playground, and more!!! They have a nice store/concessions stand as well.
Sandy Nitta4 months ago
Very nice location for water activities. The campground was good too, though all the sites didn't have shade. Clean toilets and free showers, reviews indicating paid showers were probably old? Beautiful views of mountains right from the campground. Biking/walking trail which is right by the campground can be turned into a 22 mile loop if you wish.
