If you are looking for a good way to take in the beautiful Colorado scenery from the water, then stand up paddle boarding might be the perfect option for you. This particular activity gives you a tremendous core workout and what else could be more relaxing than a paddle down a river or around a lake on a balmy day? If you are one of the thousands of people who have been yearning to try out SUPing, Colorado has some of the greatest areas for the total SUP experience.
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Cherry Creek Reservoir
If you want to take out a paddle board while staying relatively near the Denver area, a magnificent option is the Cherry Creek Reservoir. The views might not be as breathtaking as they are at some of the other reservoirs in the mountains of Colorado, but you do get 880 full acres of flat water surface for intrepid SUPers. Also, if you don’t happen to have a board of your own, you can rent one from the Cherry Creek Marina that is located just inside the Cherry Creek State Park. Be advised that there is also an entrance fee.
Big Soda Lake Reservoir
There is another popular area for SUPing near Denver called the Big Soda Lake Reservoir. This area is located in Lakewood. It is a smallish lake that is near Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, which just happens to be another favorite attraction area. Because of the fact that there are no power boats allowed on the lake, SUPers do not have any wake to deal with. This reservoir can be found in Bear Creek Lake Park and for those who do not have their own boards, you can rent them at the Soda Lakes Marina.
Union Reservoir
This reservoir is located in Longmont. It gives you a great alternative to Boulder Reservoir when you are ready for your next SUP venture. You will find that the crowds here are much less intense and you will be able to get some amazing views right on the Front Range. There is also a bit of trivia here in the fact that this is one of the very few lakes in Colorado that are not man made. There is a fee to pay if you want to SUP here, so be prepared for that. Once again, for those who do not have their own board, they can be rented from Rocky Mountain Paddleboard.
Horsetooth Reservoir Paddle
While there isn’t much in the way of seclusion at this area, there is the fact that the location is ideal. This is a great spot for water activities of all sorts…and this includes power boats and jet skis. For those who are boardless, they can be rented at Mountain SUP or Inlet Bay Marina. There is also an entrance fee at this location.
Grand Lake
This happens to be the deepest and the largest lake in Colorado and it is a blast! It is surrounded by gorgeous, must see mountain scenery. You may even be tempted to just sit still on your paddle board and soak in all of the scenery. This lake is near Rocky Mountain National Park and the town of Grand Lake. If you do not have a board of your own, they can be rented at the Grand Lake Marina.
Lake Dillon
When you want to stand up paddle board, there is really no place quite like Lake Dillon. View the majestic peaks of the mountains that showcase the best scenery in the area. You can rent boards at the Frisco Bay Marina and you can also launch your own boards from there if you have one. They do have regulations in place at this location regarding life vests. Make sure that you are wearing one when you are on the water.
Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park
For those who are looking for a bit more excitement than what you get with flat water SUPing, there is Glenwood Springs. This is the first whitewater park to have been built for the Colorado River and it is the ideal spot to hone some of the SUP skills that are more advanced. Glenwood Adventure Company will rent a board to you if you don’t happen to have your own and they also offer SUP lessons. The current flow levels will always be posted on the website, so check it out before venturing out.
You might or might not have been aware that there is more to do in Colorado than ski in the winter months and watch the Broncos during football season. Yes, you can do both of those things in the fall and winter months, but in the warmer months, it is a great place to SUP. It doesn’t matter if you have your own board or not, because as you can see, all of these places have rentals.
image credit: townoffrisco.com
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