Top 10 Places To Paddleboard In Colorado
Colorado is one of the best places in the world to SUP. You can find some of the most beautiful scenery, and you’ll be able to explore it with a board on your feet! Here are 5 different locations that will make you want to grab your board and head for Colorado. It doesn’t matter if you enjoy surfing waves or touring flat water- there is something perfect for everyone here!
1) Clear Creek Canyon - The canyon is located about 8 miles west of Golden, CO and offers a variety of terrain from Class I-V whitewater rapids to scenic views. There are plenty of spots along the 14 mile stretch where beginners can put their boards into action as well as many more challenging options for experts. There is a $5 fee to use the park and it has its own website with more information on all of the possibilities for SUP and kayaks here.
2) Horsetooth Reservoir - This area of Northern Colorado offers some great rivers to paddle down, as well as many lakes to explore. It’s located between Fort Collins and Loveland, CO and is one of the most popular SUP destinations in all of Colorado. On the southern end there is a section called “Fossil Creek” which has rocky rapids perfect for those looking to get their feet wet with SUP down this scenic waterway.
3) Browns Canyon - This stretch of the Arkansas River is located in Chaffee County and offers a variety of options for those who want to SUP. It’s mostly flat water, but there are sections included here that can be very challenging for beginner paddlers. The river itself runs along the Continental Divide, so it’s also perfect for those looking to do some hiking or camping during their SUP experience. This is also the first section of whitewater on the Arkansas River that’s opened up to stand-up paddle boarding, so it’s definitely an area where you can get your feet wet in more ways than one!
4) Boulder Creek - This Central Colorado gem is one of the most popular paddling destinations in the area. The best section of Boulder Creek to SUP is between Sunshine Canyon Drive and Four Mile park, although there are multiple sections to explore along the creek itself. There are plenty of places where you can access this tubing hotspot so it’s perfect for those who aren’t familiar with the area or for those who don’t own their own board. Parking is free and there are several available launch areas along the creek, making this a good option for beginners or those looking to just take a SUP trip with a friend, rather than going out on their own.
5) Colorado River - This isn’t one location in particular, but as a whole, the Colorado River is one of the best places to SUP in Colorado. There are all different types of waterways available here from Lake Dillon to Gore Canyon and Westwater. The most popular section for stand-up paddling has got to be Cataract Canyon with its 22 rapids and technical whitewater over a distance of 98 miles. The Colorado River offers some of the most varied SUP experiences in all of Colorado, so even those who have been out on their boards before will enjoy this area as much as someone who has never tried stand-up paddling before!
