Lake Estes is the best place to paddle board in Estes Park. It’s right on the edge of town, the marina rents boards in summer, and you get mountain views from the water. For a bigger, wilder day out, drive over Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Lake on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Estes Park isn’t a big water town. Most of the lakes in the national park are small, high and cold, and several don’t allow boats at all. But Lake Estes is easy, Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest natural lake, and there are quiet reservoirs in the foothills down the canyon toward Loveland. The season is short, roughly late spring to early fall, and the water is cold all year.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Lake Estes, renting at the Lake Estes Marina.
- Most scenic: Grand Lake, Colorado’s largest natural lake, under the peaks of the national park.
- Quiet water near Grand Lake: Shadow Mountain Lake and the channel that links it to Grand Lake.
- No motorboats: Pinewood Reservoir, a small Larimer County reservoir that allows only hand-launched boats.
- Not for paddling: Mary’s Lake and Bear Lake. Neither allows boats.
The best places to paddle board in Estes Park
Lake Estes
Directions
Best for: beginners, families, a quick paddle in town. Flat water, with afternoon wind.
Lake Estes is a 185-acre reservoir just east of downtown, with about 4 miles of shoreline. The 3.75-mile Lake Estes Trail loops around it, and on a clear day you can see the Continental Divide from the water. The Bureau of Reclamation owns the lake, and the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District runs the recreation.
Where to launch: Launch at the Lake Estes Marina (1770 Big Thompson Avenue). Private boats, paddle boards included, need a Lake Estes boat permit, about $5 a day at the time of writing, and there’s a separate day-use fee per vehicle.
What to avoid: Some motorboats use the lake, so stay clear of the ramp and the marina channel. Head in when the wind picks up, which it often does in the afternoon.
Rentals and lessons: The Lake Estes Marina rents stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and pontoons by the hour, from about May 1 to mid-September, depending on weather.
Good to know: Swimming isn’t allowed in Lake Estes because the water is so cold. Plan on staying dry, and dress for the water temperature, not the air.
Grand Lake
Directions
Best for: scenery and a full-day trip. Flat water, with wind and boat traffic.
Grand Lake, on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, is the largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. The town of Grand Lake sits on its shore, with a boardwalk, shops and a beach, and the lake is ringed by forest and mountains.
Getting there: From Estes Park, Trail Ridge Road crosses the national park to Grand Lake in 48 miles, climbing to 12,183 feet. It’s only open in summer and early fall, so check the park’s road status. You’ll need a park pass, and in 2026 you also needed a timed-entry reservation to enter between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from May 22 to October 12.
Where to launch: Gene Stover Lakefront Park, the town beach, is the easiest place to start. Stay near the shore at first: Grand Lake is big, deep and open to the wind.
Rentals and lessons: Rocky Mountain SUP rents boards by the hour near the Grand Lake beach, first come, first served, with a leash, life jacket and whistle included. Grand Lake Marina also rents boats.
Good to know: Free loaner life jackets are available at Gene Stover Park. Paddle in the morning: the local visitor bureau says the lake gets choppy later in the day.
Shadow Mountain Lake
Directions
Best for: a calmer alternative to Grand Lake. Flat water.
Shadow Mountain Lake is a reservoir just south of Grand Lake, part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area, with the national park along its east side. A short channel connects it to Grand Lake, which makes a good, sheltered paddle on a windy day.
Where to launch: The Hilltop Boating Site, near the channel between the two lakes, is set up for portable, non-motorized boats like paddle boards. It’s a fee area: the Arapaho National Recreation Area day pass costs $5 a day at the time of writing.
Rentals and lessons: Trail Ridge Marina (12634 US Highway 34, Grand Lake) rents paddle boards and kayaks on Shadow Mountain Lake.
Good to know: Watch for motorboats moving between the two lakes in the channel, and keep to the side.
Pinewood Reservoir
Directions
Best for: a quiet paddle with no motorboats. Flat water.
Pinewood Reservoir is a 100-acre Larimer County reservoir at 6,580 feet, in the foothills west of Loveland. Only hand-launched boats are allowed, including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards, so there are no wakes. It’s a good stop on the drive down the Big Thompson Canyon on US 34.
Where to launch: The boat ramp is closed, so carry your board to the water. Every vehicle needs a Larimer County daily entrance permit, paid at a self-pay kiosk.
What to avoid: Swimming isn’t allowed, so keep your leash and life jacket on.
Good to know: Leashed dogs are welcome on a 10-foot leash or shorter. For more lakes in this area, including Carter Lake and Horsetooth Reservoir, see our guide to where to paddle board in Fort Collins.
When to go
Paddling around Estes Park is a summer sport. The marina rents boards from about May to mid-September, and Trail Ridge Road to Grand Lake is only open in the warmer months.
- June to August: the warmest air and the busiest lakes. Expect afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains, and get off the water at the first sound of thunder.
- September: quieter lakes and fall color, but cold mornings and colder water.
- Water temperature: these are mountain lakes fed by snowmelt, and they stay cold even in August. Our wetsuit check uses water and air temperature to suggest what to wear.
- Time of day: mornings are calmest. Wind builds in the afternoon on every lake here.
Planning a loop around Grand Lake? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long a route will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Estes Park
Colorado treats a paddle board as a boat. Under Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket for each person on board. Children under 13 must wear one. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Whistle: carry a sound device, such as a whistle.
- Mark your board: unregistered boats, including paddle boards, must be marked with the owner’s name and address.
Colorado’s aquatic nuisance species (ANS) rules:
- No ANS stamp needed. Colorado’s ANS stamp is required on motorboats and sailboats, not on paddle boards.
- No mandatory inspection. Paddle boards and other hand-launched craft are exempt from Colorado’s mandatory boat inspections.
- Clean, drain and dry anyway. CPW asks every paddler to clean, drain and dry boards, fins, leashes and fishing gear between waters.
Local rules and habits:
- Pay the fees. Lake Estes needs a boat permit, Pinewood a county permit, and the Arapaho National Recreation Area a day pass.
- Dress for cold water. Falling in at this elevation is a shock, even in summer. Wear your life jacket.
- Watch the sky. Mountain storms build fast on summer afternoons, and a paddle board in the middle of a lake is the highest thing around.
FAQ
Can you paddle board in Rocky Mountain National Park?
On some lakes, but it’s limited. The park doesn’t allow motorized boats, and Bear Lake is closed to all watercraft. Many of the park’s lakes are small, shallow or a long hike from the road, so check with the park before you carry a board in. Grand Lake, just outside the park’s west entrance, is the easier option.
Where can beginners paddle board in Estes Park?
Lake Estes. Rent a board at the marina, stay near the shore and paddle in the morning before the wind picks up.
Do I need a permit to paddle board in Estes Park?
At Lake Estes, private boards need a Lake Estes boat permit (about $5 a day at the time of writing). Colorado doesn’t require an ANS stamp or inspection for paddle boards.
Can I paddle board on Mary’s Lake?
No. Mary’s Lake, south of town, is popular for fishing, but boating isn’t allowed.
Can I bring my dog paddle boarding near Estes Park?
At Pinewood Reservoir, yes, on a leash of 10 feet or less. Read how to paddle board with a dog first, and remember the water is cold. Not sure what board to bring? Our Board Fitter suggests a size for your weight and the water you’ll paddle. Heading to the Front Range? See our guide to Boulder.
