Maintained by Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Boyd Lake State Park is one of Loveland’s best outdoor recreation destinations—especially during the summer months when you can jet ski, spend the day on the pontoon, or splash in the water at the swim beach. The lake itself offers more than 1,700 acres of water with areas designated for open swimming and wake and no-wake boating.
Both on and off the water, other activities include fishing, seasonal hunting, biking, hiking and camping, too! You can even ice fish and camp during the winter. In short, it’s the perfect place to opt outside in Northern Colorado, and a daily pass is just $10. To get the details on what you can do in the park, where you can rent boats, and more, keep reading! And to get more details on available passes and fees, click here.
Go boating.
Boating is quite possibly the most popular activity on Boyd Lake and it’s one of the region’s best boating destinations. All registered and properly equipped boats are allowed on the water, including ski boats, fishing boats, jet skis, sailboats, canoes and kayaks. Many of these types are also available to rent through Boyd Lake Marina! Anyone want to spend the day on a pontoon boat? To see all the rules and registration information, click here.
Go swimming.
Along with boating, Boyd Lake State Park is a popular choice for swimming in Northern Colorado. At the designated swimming beach, you’ll find a pavilion with rinsing showers and restrooms as well as a playground, picnic tables and a snack bar. Float toys are also permitted in this swimming area, and swimming from boats is also permitted from sunrise to sunset in three designated no-wake areas. To see the map, click here.
Ride your bike.
The park’s paved trail follows the water’s edge and winds under shady cottonwood trees along the beaches. As a segment of the city’s Recreation Trail System, this path is part of a 22-mile paved loop trail nearly encircling Loveland, and it even connects to the Colorado Front Range Trail and the Long View Trail which travels all the way to Fort Collins!
Take a hike.
The same multi-use trail open to bikes is open to walkers and leashed dogs, too! As we mentioned above, this connects to the city’s 22-mile Recreation Trail System. But Boyd Lake State Park also offers a half-mile, self-guided Nature Trail on its south end. This informational trail explores some of the park’s native plants, historic homestead sites, native wildlife and more. To read the Interpretive Trail Guide, click here.
Rent watercraft from Boyd Lake Marina.
Boyd Lake Marina provides fishing boats, pontoon boats, wave runners, canoes, kayaks and even paddle bikes for rent. That means you can boat and paddle without buying your own materials! They also sell live bait and fishing supplies if you want to cast a line from your rented kayak.
Try stand up paddleboarding.
Photo courtesy EPIC Paddleboards of Colorado
Whether you’re paddling, sunbathing or even practicing yoga, stand up paddleboarding is a great way to get on the water. Located right in Boyd Lake State Park, EPIC Paddleboards of Colorado provides hourly, half- and full-day rentals as well as fitness classes and moonlit paddle classes. To learn more and see prices, click here.
The locally owned and operated company What’s SUP also provides rentals on Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, on Carter Lake in southwest Loveland, and offers a pack and carry option so you can pick up your board, paddle on Boyd Lake, and return it the next day. All rentals include a paddle, the board, a safety whistle and a life vest, too.
Spend the night camping.
Available by reservation and for a fee, the campground at Boyd Lake State Park boasts 148 paved, pull-through sites suitable for tents, pick-up campers, trailers and motorhomes up to 40 feet long. Located on a grassy knoll near the lake, the year-round campground also offers electric hookups at each site, swing sets, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and grills for a true family-friendly atmosphere. To make your reservation, click here.
Go fishing.
Whether you’re fishing from a boat, along the shoreline or even atop the ice during winter, Boyd Lake State Park is a popular choice for anglers. And if you cast a line, you have the chance to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, perch, rainbow trout and walleye. Just be sure to get your Colorado fishing license and follow state fishing regulations. For online license info, click here.
Ride your jet ski.
Jet skis are common watercraft found atop Boyd Lake during the summer. And as long as yours is properly registered and equipped, you can hit the water! To see rules and regulations, click here.
Enjoy a picnic.
Available on a first come, first served basis, the 67 individual picnic sites at Boyd Lake State Park offer the perfect place to recharge during your visit. Most of these first-class sites even have a grill and shelter! For large groups, you can even reserve the Mariner Point Group Picnic Area, which can accommodate up to 200 guests.
Play volleyball.
Boyd Lake State Park offers two different sand courts for volleyball. Open to the public, the Swim Beach Plaza volleyball court is available to anyone who wants to play on a first come, first served basis. There’s also a second court located at the Mariner Point Group Picnic Area available by reservation only.
Hunt for waterfowl.
Available seasonally, waterfowl hunting is allowed in designated areas at Boyd Lake State Park. These Hunt Zones are marked by red and white signs and park restrictions may be more strict than the state’s. Be sure to read up on the rules and regulations here before you head out, and you can purchase a license online here.
Head to Seven Lakes Park.
Maintained by the City of Loveland, Seven Lakes Park is located directly east of Boyd Lake State Park. The spacious neighborhood park offers even more fun, including a playground, soccer fields, basketball courts and more.
What’s your favorite thing to do at Boyd Lake State Park?
Let us know in the comments below!
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