Horsetooth Reservoir is the best place to paddle board in Fort Collins. For a calm first paddle, launch at Satanka Cove at the north end, where part of the cove is set aside for paddlers in summer; for rentals and long red-rock bays to explore, start at Inlet Bay. Carter Lake and little Pinewood Reservoir, south of town, are quieter foothill options.
Fort Collins sits right at the edge of the foothills, so the main paddling water is a ten-minute drive from Old Town. Horsetooth runs about six and a half miles along the ridge west of the city, with sandstone cliffs, coves and views back over the plains. The trade-offs are powerboat traffic on summer weekends, afternoon wind, and cold water early in the season.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Satanka Cove at Horsetooth, inside the summer paddlecraft-only zone.
- Rentals on the water: Inlet Bay Marina at Horsetooth.
- No motorboats at all: Pinewood Reservoir, a small foothill lake where only hand-launched craft are allowed.
- Close to town on the plains: Windsor Lake, a town lake with a swim beach and summer rentals.
- Quieter big water: Carter Lake, with a no-wake west side.
The best places to paddle board in Fort Collins
Satanka Cove, Horsetooth Reservoir
DirectionsBest for: beginners and anyone who wants to avoid boat wakes. Flat water.
Satanka Bay is the northern cove at Horsetooth Reservoir. After near misses between boats and paddlers, Larimer County made the west side of the cove a wakeless paddlecraft-only zone in summer, with buoys marking the line. In 2025 it ran from Memorial Day weekend (May 23) to Labor Day (September 1). Motorboats still use the east side of the cove and the rest of the reservoir.
Where to launch: Carry your board in and launch from the shore southwest of the Satanka boat ramp, which keeps you away from trailers and boats on the ramp. Every vehicle needs a Larimer County daily permit ($10 per vehicle at the time of writing, valid for 24 hours), bought at self-serve pay stations.
Good to know: The paddlecraft zone is seasonal. Outside summer, the whole cove is open to boats, so stay near the shore and watch for wakes.
Inlet Bay and South Bay, Horsetooth Reservoir
Directions
Best for: rentals, exploring coves and the red-rock shoreline. Flat water, but busy with boats.
Inlet Bay is the largest of the bays on Horsetooth’s west side and has the reservoir’s full-service marina and a campground. South Bay, at the south end, has a boat ramp and a lot that fills on summer weekends. Larimer County lists Inlet Bay, South Bay, Satanka Cove and the Sunrise swim beach as the places paddle craft may launch from shore.
Where to launch: Hand-launch from the shore at Inlet Bay or South Bay, not from the ramps. Boats travel counter-clockwise around the reservoir, so stay close to the shore and out of the main channel. Arrive early on summer weekends: parking at South Bay can fill.
Rentals and lessons: Inlet Bay Marina (4314 Shoreline Drive, Fort Collins), a family-run marina, rents paddle boards by the hour along with kayaks and boats, with adult and child life jackets available.
Good to know: Dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet and aren’t allowed at the swim beaches. The swim beaches operate from Memorial Day weekend to October 1.
Carter Lake
Directions
Best for: a longer foothill paddle with fewer people. Flat water, with a no-wake west side.
Carter Lake is a 1,100-acre reservoir in the foothills southwest of Loveland, about three miles long and a mile wide, at 5,760 feet. It’s run by Larimer County like Horsetooth, and the same daily permit covers it.
Where to launch: Larimer County lets paddle craft launch from the shore at the marina, North Pines and South Shore. The west side of the lake is a no-wake zone, which is the calmest place to paddle. Carter Lake Marina (4011 South County Road 31, Loveland) is across from Eagle Campground; it rents pontoons and fishing boats, not paddle boards, so bring your own.
Good to know: The North Boat Ramp lot fills on summer weekends; the county suggests arriving before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The swim beach at Dam 2 is usually open from Memorial Day weekend to mid-September, and dogs aren’t allowed on it.
Pinewood Reservoir
Directions
Best for: a quiet paddle with no motorboats. Flat water.
Pinewood is a 100-acre reservoir at 6,580 feet, west of Carter Lake and Flatiron Reservoir. Motorized boats aren’t allowed: the county lists only hand-launched craft such as kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards. It’s small, wakeless and surrounded by pine-covered hills, with campsites around the shore.
Where to launch: Larimer County says paddlers can launch from the Blue Mountain Trailhead and Pinewood Campground. The boat ramp is closed. A daily entrance permit is required, paid at the self-pay kiosk.
Good to know: At this elevation the water stays cold well into summer, and it’s a winding drive in. Leashed dogs (10-foot leash maximum) are allowed.
Windsor Lake
Directions
Best for: families and a quick paddle on the plains. Flat water.
Windsor Lake is the town lake in Windsor, southeast of Fort Collins, with a 2.25-mile trail around it and Boardwalk Park on the shore. Non-motorized paddling, rentals and a roped swim beach are all part of the summer setup. Motorboats returned in June 2026 on a limited, reservation-only basis.
Where to launch: Start from the Boardwalk Park side (100 N 5th Street). Private paddle boards need a daily non-motorized permit from the town.
Rentals and lessons: The Town of Windsor offers summer boat rentals at the lake, including paddle boards and kayaks. Call Windsor Parks and Recreation (970-674-3500) for current hours and prices.
Good to know: Swimming is only allowed inside the roped swim beach (mid-May to September), so paddle outside it. Dogs must be leashed except in the dog park on the north side of the lake.
Boyd Lake State Park
Directions
Best for: a big, open lake with no boats, for 2026 only. Flat water, but exposed to wind.
Boyd Lake in Loveland is a 1,700-acre reservoir at full pool, with Longs Peak on the horizon. In 2026, low water closed it to boating: Colorado Parks and Wildlife shut the ramps on June 28 for the rest of the season after the level dropped 20 to 25 feet. Hand-launched paddle boards and kayaks are still allowed, and the marina is closed for 2026.
Where to launch: Carry your board to the water from one of the day-use areas, such as the beach at Heron Cove on the west side. With the water this low, expect a longer walk across exposed shoreline. A Colorado vehicle pass costs $10–$12 a day at the time of writing ($15–$17 for out-of-state vehicles); the park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Good to know: With no ranger boats on the water, CPW warns that water rescues will take longer, and asks everyone on a paddle craft to wear a life jacket. Leashed dogs are allowed. Check the park page before you go, as conditions may change for 2027.
When to go
The main paddling season around Fort Collins runs from late May to early September, when swim beaches, rentals and the Satanka paddlecraft zone are open. Boating at Horsetooth is year-round, but the reservoirs are cold in spring and fall, so check our wetsuit check before an early or late-season paddle.
- Summer (June–August): warmest water and the busiest weekends. Weekday mornings are the quietest time on Horsetooth.
- Afternoons: wind picks up on the open reservoirs, and summer thunderstorms often build over the foothills. Plan to be off the water by early afternoon, and get off at the first sign of lightning.
- Altitude: Fort Collins is at about 5,000 feet, and Horsetooth at 5,420 feet. The sun is strong, so bring water and sunscreen.
Planning to paddle the length of Horsetooth or Carter Lake? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long it’ll take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Fort Collins
Colorado treats a paddle board as a vessel, so the state’s boating rules apply:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket for each person. Children under 13 must wear one, and Larimer County fines $100 if a child 12 or under isn’t wearing one. The county recommends that adults wear one too. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Whistle: every paddler must carry a whistle.
Invasive species rules:
- Paddle boards are exempt from the mandatory aquatic nuisance species inspections at Horsetooth and Carter Lake: Larimer County excludes hand-launched, human-powered craft such as canoes and stand-up paddle boards.
- Clean, drain and dry your board and leash between lakes anyway, so you don’t carry mussels or weeds from one reservoir to the next.
Local rules and habits:
- Pay the entrance fee. Every reservoir in this guide charges a daily vehicle permit or pass, even if you’re only paddling.
- Stay out of swim areas and boat lanes. On Horsetooth, boats run counter-clockwise, so hug the shore.
- Wear a leash on the big reservoirs, where wind can push a loose board away quickly.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Fort Collins?
Satanka Cove at the north end of Horsetooth Reservoir, inside the summer paddlecraft-only zone. If you need a board, rent one at Inlet Bay Marina and stay in the quieter coves near the shore.
Do you need a permit to paddle board at Horsetooth Reservoir?
You need a Larimer County daily entrance permit ($10 per vehicle at the time of writing) to park, but no boat permit or inspection for a paddle board. Hand-launched paddle boards are exempt from the county’s boat inspections.
Can you paddle board on the Poudre River?
The Cache la Poudre is a whitewater river with rapids up to Class V, run mostly by rafts and kayaks. It isn’t a place for a beginner on a paddle board. Stick to the reservoirs unless you have river SUP experience and gear.
Can I bring my dog paddle boarding in Fort Collins?
Leashed dogs (10-foot leash maximum) are allowed at Horsetooth, Carter Lake and Pinewood, but not on the swim beaches. Read how to paddle board with a dog before you take one out.
What size paddle board do I need for Horsetooth?
Horsetooth gets wind and boat wakes, so a stable all-around or touring board is a good choice. Our Board Fitter suggests a size based on your weight, skill and where you’ll paddle. Heading south? See our guide to where to paddle board in Denver.
