Colorado is most popular for its mountains. In Colorado, there are a lot of beautiful lakes and rivers. If you are worried about getting the perfect place for kayaking, Colorado can be the best option for you.
You can enjoy your kayaking adventure with natural beauty and safety as well in Colorado. If you are searching for the best places to kayak in Colorado then I’m here to guide you. Let’s dive into the 10 best places to kayak in Colorado.
Table of Contents
10 Best Places to Kayak in Colorado
1. Navajo Reservoir: one of the best places to kayak in Colorado
The Navajo Reservoir can be the perfect place to kayak for you. It is a part of the Navajo State Park. This part of the Navajo Reservoir crosses into New Mexico.
This lake is a wonderful source of enjoying your kayaking. You will notice a lot of kayakers in this lake who are enjoying their water adventure.
Why It’s Best for Kayaking
You can select this calm and beautiful water resource to have a safe and enjoyable kayaking. You also can extend your kayaking trip by making it a camping trip down there as well.
Tips for Kayakers
- Fishing Opportunity: Bring your fishing accessories if you want to fish while kayaking.
- Safety Tips: You should start your kayaking adventure with proper outfitting though this reservoir is entirely perfect for kayaking.
2. Arkansas River: another of the best kayaking spots near me
There is a lot of space to kayak along the Arkansas River. But you will find a specific area that you will want to visit. You will really enjoy this whitewater kayaking at all.
Among all the places the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is the best space for kayaking adventure.
To have your kayaking adventure in this area you will have to register before you head up. Now think of how popular it is!
You will get 2 types of rapid in this area. These are class 4 and 5 rapids along the river. It will provide you with an amazing kayaking experience.
You will enjoy truly a great time with your kayaking in this river area. But this kayaking area is not for the faint of heart or the people who are beginner to kayaking.
Why It’s Best for Kyaking
It is a whitewater kayaking spot. Water conditions are surely suitable for safe and secure kayaking.
Tips for Kayakers
- Safety Side: Beginners and faint of heart should not try kayaking in this river.
- Registration: You will have to register before you head up to enjoy your kayaking.
3. Bear Creek Lake: one of the calm lakes to kayak in Colorado
This lake is located in Lakewood location. So, you can get out on the water for your kayaking adventure at a moment’s notice.
You will notice three lakes in Bear Creek Lake Park. Among those Bear Creek Lake is free for motorized boats.
The Big Soda Lake is only for non-motorized boats and the Little Soda Lake is for all classes. You will enjoy beautiful Front Range landscapes all around the lake.
So, you can go to this place to enjoy a wonderful afternoon by kayaking.
During kayaking, you can also enjoy lunchtime in this lake’s environment. This spot has developed a park and you can get very easy access. So, it is a perfect place to enjoy your lunch with your family.
Why It’s Best for Kayaking
Wonderful location to kayak peacefully. Motorized boats are also permitted on this lake. But it is entirely safe for paddle kayaking. With kayaking you can enjoy beautiful landscape views from the lake water.
Tips for Kayakers
- Camping: Surrounding of this lake is suitable for camping. You can even enjoy your lunchtime in this wonderful serenity.
- Safety Tips: Keep your life jacket with you to handle any emergency situation. This lake is entirely safe from all harmful conditions.
4. Harvey Gap: a wonderful kayaking lake in Colorado
Probably the Harvey Gap is a smaller lake than others. But you will love this lake for its amazing beauty of the environment.
From this lake, you’ll enjoy the wonderful scenario of Western Colorado all around you. You won’t notice any giant boats on the lake’s water.
So, you will enjoy an extremely peaceful water environment in this lake. This peaceful water helps you to easily paddle your kayak.
This lake is one of the most stunning greenish-blue color water lakes in the state. This lake is the best option for fishing. So, you can enjoy your fishing with kayaking at a time!
Why It’s Best for Kayaking
Definitely its water conditions are suitable for enjoying a safe kayaking. Besides, it provides you with a wonderful view of western Colorado during kayaking.
Tips for Kayakers
- Fishing Opportunity: Bring your fishing accessories with you if wanna enjoy fishing besides kayaking.
- Suitable for Small Watercraft: Bring a watercraft that is not so heavy and large.
5. Rifle Gap: a perfect place for kayaking near Colorado Springs
Rifle Gap Lake is one of the most calm and wonderful lakes in Colorado. This lake is like a gem with its natural surroundings. You can enjoy this gem with your kayaking adventure.
You will find a lot of calm spaces in this lake that are free from heavy watercraft. This lake is perfectly suitable for fishing. You can also spend your picnic time with your family in this lake environment.
Also, this place is suitable for camping. If you wanna stay a couple of days on this lake just bring the necessary things with you. Then enjoy your camping time!
Why It’s Best for kayaking
It is one of the best calm water resources for kayaking. There are a lot of gentle spots in this lake. These are free from heavy water vehicles. So you can safely and easily enjoy your kayaking.
Tips for Kayakers
- Bring fishing accessories: It’s a perfect water resource for fishing with kayaking.
- Camping: Best surround for camping to stay for a few days.
6. Elkhead Reservoir: one of the best places to kayak in Colorado
Elkhead Reservoir is located in the northwest part of Colorado near the town of Craig. It might not be the largest place for kayaking. But it will attract you to spend quality time with your watercraft.
The surrounding of this lake allows you for camping. So you can enjoy your kayaking and camping at a time in the same place.
Even you can enjoy your day-to-day kayaking in this place. This lake provides you with safe kayaking with its calm water. Also, you can enjoy wonderful natural beauty with kayaking.
So, go to this amazing place with family or single and enjoy your water adventure.
Why It’s Great for Kayaking
This reservoir is not as large as other water resources in Colorado. But you will enjoy quality kayaking on this lake. The water conditions are perfectly suitable for safe kayaking. The surroundings of this lake are most suitable for camping.
Tips for Kayakers
- Camping: Take your necessary things to enjoy camping days here with your family or friends or even solo.
- Fee for Guest Pass: It requires $50 per day for one watercraft.
7. Sylvan Lake: a place for canoeing in Colorado Springs
If you want to enjoy your kayaking in a place that is surrounded by thick trees go for Sylvan Lake. This is the right place for you to enjoy your kayaking adventure safely. This is a place where you not only can kayak but also can spend time hiking.
The Sylvan Lake is located twenty minutes south of Eagle. You will enjoy the beauty of pretty landscape from your kayak on the water. This lake is open for all types of boats.
Sometimes you will notice motorboats on the lake. So you should carefully enjoy your kayaking while noticing those heavy boats.
Why It’s Great for Kayaking
The Sylvan Lake is surrounded by thick trees which add extra beauty to this lake. At the same time, you will get perfect water conditions to kayak safely. This place is not only perfect for kayaking rather you will also get a proper place for hiking.
Tips for Kayakers
- Camping: Suitable for hiking and camping for a couple of days.
- Safety: Sometimes you can notice motor boats on the water of this lake. So, always be careful while kayaking on this lake.
8. Lake Pueblo: the best place of kayaking in Colorado for beginners
The area around the Lake Pueblo is a layer of history. This lake is suitable for newbies. Having a kayak trip out on this lake is very easy. You won’t even have to carry your own kayak.
The Lake Pueblo is also a popular state park. So there is a spot where you can rent out kayaks for the day. There is a desert area around the lake. It may look a little frightening to you.
However, the area around the lake is full of historical fossils. Luckily you might notice the fossils along the beach. You also can spot the history that’s in the lake when the water is down low enough.
Why It’s Great for Kayaking
Lake Pueblo is full of historical resources and also has perfect conditions for water to kayak. You can enjoy your kayaking with safety and historical resources. It is also a popular state park. You will have the opportunity to camp there with family and friends.
Tips for Kayakers
- Don’t be panicked: The deserted area around the lake can sometimes be frightening for you. But no worries. These areas are entirely safe and secure for the people.
- Take Your Camera: Luckily you can see the historical fossils during kayaking. To capture those historical witnesses you should bring your camera.
9. Shadow Mountain Lake: another of the best places to kayak in Colorado Springs
The Shadow Mountain Lake is located north of Granby. This lake is one part of the five bodies of water in the Arapaho National Recreation Area.
The Shadow Mountain Lake has a 1400-acre area to play on. There is also a canal that is connected to Grand Lake.
You will notice plenty of different kinds of boats on this lake. So there is some choppy water you will get during kayaking.
There are some islands on this lake. It enhances the wonder of the lake. There is also an edge that is right up against the Rocky Mountain National Park.
Why It’s Great for Kayaking
There are a lot of things for you to explore and enjoy in this place. So you can enjoy its beauty as a solo kayaking adventure or with friends and family.
Tips for kayakers
- Safety Tips: There might be various types of boats on the lake. Be aware while kayaking on this lake.
- Suitable Time to Visit: June through September is the perfect time.
- Camping Opportunity: If you wanna stay for a couple of days there are suitable spaces for camping.
10. Colorado River: one of the best places for Colorado Springs kayaking
Kayaking in the Colorado River is an amazing thing to do. There are two parts of the Colorado River.
One is the Upper Colorado River in Colorado. Another is the Lower Colorado River further southwest.
The Colorado River is a little bit different from the Arkansas. This river has a lot of gentle spots for you to safely kayak.
Many sections of this river are situated within the Colorado River State Park. These sections offer you ample opportunities for camping, picnicking, and playing in the park.
You will find some sections that you can do as a day trip. It will take a couple of hours and doesn’t have many rapids.
You will also notice a few more adventurous spots around this river. Some sections around the river are up in the mountains. You can hike your way out to them.
Why It’s Great for Kayaking
There are two different parts of this river. You can enjoy your kayaking according to your preferred place. The Colorado River is different from the Arkansas River while compared. There are plenty of gentle spots in the river which is perfect for safe kayaking.
Tips for Kayakers
- Decide Your Preferred Area: Among various places for kayaking in the river choose your preferred one. And take necessary preparations.
- Dress According to Environment: To enjoy your kayaking properly prepare yourself with proper dress according to environment.
- Consider Your Experience Level: Choose your kayaking type and place according to your expertise in kayaking.
Why is the Colorado best place for kayaking?-best places to kayak in Colorado
Colorado is a place full of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. These are the best resources for perfect water for kayaking.
To enjoy your kayaking adventure in Colorado you just select a perfect time between June and September. Then take your necessary things with you and go for your water adventure.
Another best side of kayaking in Colorado is there are huge spots to stay for a couple of days. You can enjoy a picnic time and camping with your family and friends.
Conclusion
Planning to have a joyful kayaking in a beautiful place? Then don’t be late. Take your necessary things and get out for Colorado kayaking.
Surely this place will provide you with a joyful kayaking experience with its natural beauty and safe water spots. Happy kayaking at this charming place!
Check out the other posts by kayaking experts:
15 Perfect Kayak Launch Ideas To Start Paddling Instantly!
Top 8 Sailor Kayaks for Thrilling Water Adventures
Best Hammerhead Kayak Guide: 7 Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide
FAQs-best places to kayak in Colorado
1. Is the Colorado River safe for kayaking?-best places to kayak in Colorado
There are some gentle places in the Colorado River. So it is safe for all levels of kayakers to kayak in the Colorado River.
2. Can I kayak in the entire Colorado River?-best places to kayak in Colorado
Yes, tactfully it is possible to kayak in the entire Colorado River. It also depends on your kayaking expertise although.
3. Is Colorado good for kayaking?-best places to kayak in Colorado
Surely Colorado is perfect for kayaking with its calm water resources surrounded by mountains.
4. Do I have to license a kayak in Colorado?
Having a license for a kayak in Colorado is not mandatory but if you do it that’s surely the best option. However, it is necessary to mark the owner’s name and address on the kayak.
5. What time of year is the best time to kayak in Colorado?-best places to kayak in Colorado
May or June through September is the best time to kayak in Colorado.
6. Are life jackets needed in Colorado kayaking?
Colorado’s law of kayaking requires life jackets for every watercraft. All the vessels must have USCG-approved life jackets for each person in the kayak.
7. Do I have to register an inflatable kayak in Colorado?-best places to kayak in Colorado
Yes, you must register all types of recreational vehicles in Colorado.
8. Do kayaks need to be inspected in Colorado?-best places to kayak in Colorado
No, inspections are not required for boats by the state of Colorado.
9. Is boat insurance required to kayak in Colorado?
The kayak owners in Colorado are not legally required to carry boater insurance to operate their kayaks.
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