Colorado Boatable Waters: N - S - Colorado State Parks

Narraguinnep Reservoir
Directions: From Cortez, go 11 miles northwest on Highway 666 to Highway 184, then 2 miles east to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, power boating, sail boating, sail surfing and water-skiing
Fish: Rainbow trout, northern pike, channel catfish, crappie and bluegill
Water Acres: 386
Elevation: 7,050 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Navajo State Park
Directions: Take U.S. 160 west from Pagosa Springs for 17 miles, then turn southwest onto Colorado 151 for 18 miles to Arboles. Turn left again onto County Road 982 and drive 2 miles to the lake.
Fees: See Navajo State Park Fees.
Boating: One boat ramp. The marina provides houseboat, pontoon boat, fishing boat and personal watercraft rentals. (970) 883-2343 (San Juan Marina).
Fish: Catfish, crappie and smallmouth bass swim in the shallows and near the lake surface. Kokanee salmon, northern pike and many varieties of trout are found in deep waters.
Water Acres: 15,600
Elevation: 6,100 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 883-2208.

Needle Creek Reservoir
Directions: From Gunnison take U.S. Highway approximately 17 miles east to Doyleville. Needle Creek Reservoir is located approximately 7 miles southeast of Doyleville. Obtain a USFS Gunnison Basin Map for more details.
Fee: None
Boating: Non-motorized, hand-powered only
Fish: Rainbow trout
Water Acres: 60
Elevation: 8,830 feet
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Gunnison Ranger District. For more information call (970) 641-0471 or (970) 944-2500.

Neversweat Reservoir
Directions: 16 miles south of Collbran.
Fee:
Boating: No boat ramp
Fish: Rainbow and brook trout
Water Acres: 19
Elevation: 10,070 feet
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Grand Junction/Collbran Ranger District. For more information, call (970) 242-8211 or (970) 487-3534.

North Lake
Directions: From Trinidad, go 35 miles northeast on Highway 12 to the property.
Fee: None
Boating: Hand-propelled or electric motor, boat ramp
Fish: rainbow trout and splake
Water Acres: 104
Elevation: 8,583 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

North Sterling State Park
Directions: From Main Street in Sterling, turn north on North 7th Avenue, follow the sign 12 miles to the reservoir.
Fees
Boating: Three boat ramps, water-skiing, sailboarding and personal watercraft
Fish: Walleye, crappie, perch, bass, bluegill, catfish, tiger muskie and wiper
Water Acres: 2,880 (fluctuates during the irrigation season)
Elevation: 4,065 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 522-3657.

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Paonia State Park
Directions: From Glenwood Springs, take Colorado Highway 82 south to Carbondale, then south and southwest on Colorado Highway 133 for 46 miles to the park. From Delta, take Highway 92 east to Hotchkiss, then go north on Highway 133 through Paonia and 16 miles farther to the park.
Fees: See Paonia State Park Fees.
Boating: One boat ramp, sailboarding, water-skiing and personal watercraft
Fish: Yellow perch, rainbow trout, catfish, bass, crappie and northern pike
Water Acres: 350
Elevation: 6,500 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 921-5721.

Park Reservoir
Directions:
Fee:
Boating: Boat ramp
Fish: Rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout
Water Acres: 125
Elevation:
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Grand Junction/Collbran Ranger District. For more information, call (970) 242-8211 or (970) 487-3534.

Pastorius Reservoir
Directions: From Durango, go 8 miles east on Highway 160 to Highway 172, then 2 miles south to County Road 302, then 1 mile south to County Road 304, then 1/2 mile west to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, hand-propelled or electric motor
Fish: Rainbow trout, northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish and largemouth bass
Water Acres: 53
Elevation: 6,880 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Pearl Lake State Park
Directions: From Steamboat Springs, go west 2 miles on U.S. 40 to County Road 129, then turn right. Go north 23 miles to Pearl Lake Road, turn east and drive the final 2 miles to the park.
Fees: See Pearl Lake State Park Fees.
Boating: Gasoline and electric motors are permitted on Pearl Lake. However, boaters are restricted to no wake speeds. A boat ramp is available.
Fish: Cutthroat trout and grayling
Water Acres: 167
Elevation: 8,065 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 879-3922.

Platoro Reservoir
Directions: From Alamosa, take Highway 285 south 20 miles to Antonito. Take Highway 17 West to USFS Road 250. Go north on USFS Road 250 to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: No restrictions
Fish: Rainbow and brown trout and kokanee salmon
Water Acres: 700
Eevation: 10,035 feet
Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service, Rio Grande National Forest. For more information, call (719) 274-8971.

Potholes Reservoir #1 and #2
Directions: From Gunnison take Highway 135 north 10 miles to Almont. Turn right (northeast) on Taylor Canyon Road. Proceed on Taylor Canyon Road approximately 19 miles to Taylor Reservoir. Continue on FDR 742 through Taylor Park. Potholes Reservoir #1 will be 9 miles, Potholes Reservoir #2 will be 10 miles.
Fee: None
Boating: Non-motorized, hand-powered only
Fish: Brook and rainbow trout
Water Acres: 5 each
Elevation: 9,800 feet
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Gunnison Ranger District. For more information call (970) 641-0471 or (970) 944-2500.

Prewitt Reservoir
Directions: Approximately 20 miles northeast of Brush. Take I-76 to exit 102. Travel north 1 mile to Highway 144, turn right and travel approximately 7 miles to the reservoir entrance.
Fee: $3 daily, $20 annual, $5 replacement
Boating: No motor restrictions, but the entire lake is wakeless, boat ramp
Fish: Trout, wiper, yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, white bass, saugeye and walleye
Water Acres: 900
Elevation: 7,260 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Prospect Park Lakes
Directions: From I-70, go east on 44th Avenue. Turn right (south) into the park.
Fee: None
Boating: Non-motorized only, boat ramp available.
Fish: Largemouth bass, crappie, bullhead, channel catfish, sunfish and bluegill
Water Acres: 16
Elevation: 5,445 feet
Managing Agency: Wheat Ridge Animal and Parks Enforcement. For more information, call (303) 235-2877.

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Queens State Wildlife Area
Directions: Lower Queens: From Eads, go 15 miles south on Highway 287 to County Road C, then 3 1/2 miles east to Upper Queens, follow access road S 2 miles to property. Upper Queens: From Eads, go 15 miles south on Highway 287 to County Road C, then 3 1/2 miles east.
Nee Gronda: From Eads, go 15 miles south on Highway 287 to County Road C, then 1 mile west.
Nee Noshe: From Eads, go 11 miles south on Highway 287 to Kiowa County Boat Ramp Access Road, then 1/4 mile east to public boat ramp.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramps, power boating, sail boating, sail surfing and water-skiing
Fish: Nee Gronda: Walleye, saugeye, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white bass and wiper. Nee Noshe: Walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike, white bass, bluegill, wiper and tiger muskie. Queens: Walleye, saugeye, yellow perch, crappie, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, northern pike, white bass bluegill, wiper and tiger muskie.
Water Acres: Nee Gronda: 2,600; Nee Noshe: 3,696; Queens: 1,900.
Elevation: 5,710 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Quincy Reservoir
Directions: I-225 east to Iliff, go east on Iliff to Chambers, go south on Chambers then east on Quincy Road to the reservoir.
Fee: $4 per person
Boating: Non-motorized or electric powered (five-horsepower maximum), boats must be hand carried to the launch point
Fish: Trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass and tiger muskie
Water Acres: 160
Elevation: 5,710 feet
Managing Agency: City of Aurora. For more information, call (303) 739-7160

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Rainbow Lake
Directions: Take US Highway 50 west from Gunnison approximately 15 miles. Turn north (right) on to FDR 724. Proceed approximately 12 miles to Rainbow Lake.
Fee: None
Boating: No restrictions
Fish: Brook and rainbow trout
Water Acres: 12
Elevation: 10,800 feet
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Gunnison Ranger District. For more information call (970) 641-0471 or (970) 944-2500.

Ramah Reservoir
Directions: From Ramah, go 4 miles west on Highway 24 to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, sail boating, no water-contact activities
Fish: Largemouth bass, channel catfish and northern pike
Water Acres: 75
Elevation: 6,100 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Red Rock Lake
Directions: Boulder County, Roosevelt National Forest. From Ward, go north on Highway 72, 1/4 mile to Brainard Lake Road. Go west 2 miles past the turnoff for Lefthand Park.
Fee: Access is through Brainard Lake
Boating: Non-motorized only
Fish: Rainbow trout
Water Acres: 6.5
Elevation: 10,300 feet
Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service-Boulder Ranger District. For more information, call (303) 444-6600.

Ridgway State Park
Directions: Take U.S. 550 south of Montrose for 22 miles to the park entrance.
Fees: See Ridgway State Park Fees.
Boating: One four-lane, concrete boat ramp, water-skiing, personal watercraft, sailing and sailboarding
Fish: Rainbow trout are stocked annually by the Division of Wildlife. Brown trout, which inhabited the Uncompahgre River prior to construction of the dam, are also in the reservoir. Kokanee salmon have recently been stocked in the reservoir and have flourished. Ridgway State Park has two small ponds beneath the dam that are stocked with small trout.
Water Acres: 1,000
Elevation: 6,870 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 626-5822.

Rito Hondo Reservoir
Directions: From Creede, go 35 miles west on Highway 149 to USFS Road 513, then 2 miles northwest to the fork, take right for 200 yards north to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Hand-propelled or electric motor
Fish: Rainbow and brook trout
Water Acres: 41
Elevation: 10,280 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Road Canyon Reservoir
Directions: From Creede, go 25 miles west on Highway 149 to USFS Road 520, then 4 miles west to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Wakeless only, boat ramp
Fish: Rainbow and brook trout
Water Acres: 140
Elevation: 9,275 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Ruedi Reservoir
Directions: From Glenwood Springs, go south on Highway 82 to Basalt, then east on Highway 105.
Fee: None
Boating: Two boat ramps
Fish: Rainbow, lake and brown trout and kokanee salmon
Water Acres: 1,000
Elevation: 7,766 feet
Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service. For more information, call (970) 945-2521.

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St. Vrain State Park
Directions: Exit I-25 on Colorado 119 west, then north on County Road 7 until it ends into County Road 24 1/2. Turn right to the park entrance.
Fees: See St. Vrain State Park for fees.
Boating: Anglers and boaters are advised to use small vessels at wakeless speeds (watercraft that are hand-propelled or driven by an electric trolling motor) on the ponds. Inflatable devices that contain two or more chambers are also allowed.
Fish: The ponds are generously stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, wiper, channel catfish, crappie and rainbow trout.
Water Acres: 80
Elevation: 4,830 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (303) 678-9402.

San Luis State Park
Directions: Take Highway 160 west from Walsenburg for 60 miles. Go north on Highway 150 for 13.5 miles. Turn left on Six Mile Lane and drive straight for 8 miles and then drive north 1/8
mile to park entrance.
Fees: See San Luis State Park Fees.
Boating: Motor boating, personal watercraft, sailing and windsurfing, one boat ramp
Fish: Rainbow trout
Water Acres: 890
Elevation: 7,525 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (719) 378-2020.

Sanchez Reservoir
Directions: From San Luis, go 3 miles east on Highway 152, then 5.2 miles south on Hwy. 242 to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: No water-skiing, boat ramp
Fish: Walleye, saugeye and northern pike
Water Acres: 2,000
Elevation: 8,272 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Seymour Lake
Directions: From Walden, go 14 miles southwest on highway 14 to County Road 28, then 1 mile south to County Road 11, then 3 miles south to County Road 288, then 1/2 mile west to the property.
Fee: None
Boating: Wakeless only, boat ramp, no sailboards
Fish: Rainbow trout
Water Acres: 81
Elevation: 8,440 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Skaguay Reservoir
Directions: From Victor, go 1/2 mile east on County Road 67 to County Road 441, the 6 1/2 miles east to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, wakeless only
Fish: Rainbow and brook trout and pike
Water Acres: 90
Elevation: 8,880 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Smith Reservoir
Directions: From Blanca, go 1/2 mile west on Highway 160 to Airport Road, then 4 miles south to the reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, no water-skiing
Fish: Rainbow trout
Water Acres: 700
Elevation: 7,721 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Spinney Mountain State Park
Directions: From Colorado Springs, take U.S. 24 west for 55 miles over Wilkerson Pass. Turn south on Park County Road 23 and drive 2.8 miles to County Road 59. Turn right and go another 1.1 miles to the park entrance.
Fees: See Spinney Mountain State Park Fees.
Boating: Boating and windsurfing, two boat ramps
Fish: Cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout and northern pike
Water Acres: 2,520
Elevation: 8,686 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (719) 748-3401.

Spring Creek Reservoir
Directions: From Gunnison, take Highway 135 north 10 miles to Almont. Turn right (northeast) on Taylor Canyon Road. Proceed approximately 7 miles on Taylor Canyon Road. Turn left on to Spring Creek Rd. (FDR 744). Go approximately 10 miles to Spring Creek Reservoir.
Fee: None
Boating: Non-motorized, hand-powered only, boat ramp
Fish: Cold water
Water Acres: 50
Elevation: 9,915 feet
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Gunnison Ranger District. For more information call (970) 641-0471 or (970) 944-2500.

Stagecoach State Park
Directions: From Steamboat Springs, go 4 miles east on U.S. 40, then south on Colorado 131 for 5 miles to Routt County Road 14. Drive 7 miles south and you will be at the park entrance.
Fees: See Stagecoach State Park Fees.
Boating: Personal watercraft, water-skiing, sailboarding and canoeing, two boat launches
Fish: Northern pike, rainbows that average in length from 10 to16 inches, the occasional brown or brook trout, Snake River cutthroat and splake
Water Acres: 780
Elevation: 7,250 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 736-2436.

Stalker Lake
Directions: From Wray, go 2 miles west on Highway 34 to County Road FF, then 1 1/2 miles north to the access road, then 1/2 mile west to the property.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, hand-propelled or electric motors only
Fish: Largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill and tiger muskie
Water Acres: 26
Elevation: 3,566 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

State Forest State Park
Directions: Take Colorado 14 west from Fort Collins for 75 miles across Cameron Pass.
Fees: See State Forest State Park Fees.
Boating: Boating is permitted only on North Michigan Reservoir, which has two boat ramps available. Power boats can be operated only at wakeless speeds.
Fish: Brook, brown, cutthroat, rainbow and golden trout.
Water Acres: 130
Elevation: 10,000 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 723-8366.

Steamboat Lake State Park
Directions: From Steamboat Springs, go west 2 miles on U.S. 40 to County Road 129. Turn north and drive 26 miles.
Fees: See Steamboat Lake State Park Fees.
Boating: Three boat ramps, water-skiing, sailboarding and personal watercraft
Fish: Rainbow and cutthroat trout and an occasional brook and brown trout
Water Acres: 1,053
Elevation: 8,000 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 879-3922.

Summit Reservoir
Directions: From Mancos, go 9 miles northwest on Highway 184 to the property.
Fee: None
Boating: Boat ramp, wakeless only
Fish: Crappie, smallmouth bass and channel catfish
Water Acres: 402
Elevation: 7,368 feet
Managing Agency: Division of Wildlife. For more information, call (303) 297-1192.

Sunset Lake
Directions: Grand Mesa
Fee:
Boating: No boat ramp
Fish: Rainbow, brown and brook trout
Water Acres: 18
Elevation: 9,790 feet
Managing Agency: USDA Forest Service, Grand Junction/Collbran Ranger District. For more information, call (970) 242-8211 or (970) 487-3534.

Sylvan Lake State Park
Directions: Take I-70 to Eagle (Exit 147). Turn south on Eby Creek Road to the roundabout. Take the first right out of the roundabout. Go west on Hwy 6 (Grand Ave.) for .8 mile to the next roundabout. At this roundabout, take the third right onto Sylvan Lake Road. Continue on Sylvan Lake Road until it intersects with Brush Creek Road (1.6 miles). Turn right onto Brush Creek Road. Travel south for 10 miles. The Visitor Center is on the left. Continue on Brush Creek Road until the road forks and becomes dirt. At the fork in the road, stay right and travel 5 miles to the lake, campground and cabins.
Fees: See Sylvan Lake State Park Fees.
Boating: One boat ramp, Hand propelled or electric motors only
Fish: The Colorado Division of Wildlife stocks Sylvan Lake with brook and rainbow trout.
Water Acres: 42
Elevation: 8,500 feet
Managing Agency: Colorado State Parks. For more information, call (970) 328-2021.

Last Updated: 10/21/2009