Boating at Spinney Mountain State Park
For current ramp conditions, see Spinney Mountain's Conditions Page. ***Without unusually high amounts of snowfall in March and April, water levels are forecast to be too low to allow trailer launched boats at Spinney this year. We expect boating to be allowed at nearby Eleven Mile State Park. We will update our web pages as conditions change.***
Boating Rules and Regulations
- All persons under the age of 13 must wear their life jacket (PFD) at all times when in any vessel that is on the water. Visit the Eleven Mile Park Office to borrow a child’s life jacket from the Life Jacket Loaner Program.
- Water-contact sports including swimming, wading, scuba diving and water-skiing are prohibited.
- Windsurfing with a full wet suit is allowed.
- Boat ramps are located on both the north and south sides of the reservoir. Docks are for loading and unloading boats only.
- Fishing from the docks is prohibited.
- There is an enforced five-minute use limit while mooring at the dock.
- Islands within the reservoir and the fenced area directly below the dam are closed to all public use at all times.
- The reservoir closes to all boating from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. The park gates close one hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise.
- Play it safe while on the water--leave your alcohol on shore. DO NOT operate your vessel while under the influence. This is a criminal offense in Colorado and you can be arrested for it.
Boaters must observe all Colorado boating statutes and regulations. Regulation brochures are available at the Eleven Mile State Park office.
ATTENTION ALL FISHERMEN:
The threat of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a very real threat that affects everybody. AIS species can destroy facilities, ecosystems and recreational equipment alike. It is in nobodies interest to allow their introduction into a clean reservoir. Recently, Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists confirmed the presence of two invasive species, New Zealand mud snails (NZMS) and a plant called Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) in Eleven Mile Reservoir. Spinney Mountain Reservoir is still "clean" as far as parks and wildlife officials are aware. NZMS primarily feed on algae and aquatic plants, and can crowd out other desired fish and invertebrate species. EWM is an aggressive aquatic plant that out competes native plants and can form large strands on the surface of the water, which can entangle motors and degrade the quality of recreational boating opportunities.
In an effort to prevent their introduction into Spinney Mountain Reservoir, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting boat inspections on all vessels that are intended to be launched on the reservoir. Belly boats, canoes and kayaks without motors are exempted. But, we need the help of every boater and fisherman that uses the reservoir. It is critical for the boating and fishing public to fully cooperate in order to protect boating and fishing opportunities at Spinney Mountain Reservoir and prevent the spread of these damaging organisms.
Mandatory inspections of all non-exempt vessels will be conducted at the park entrance and must be completed satisfactorily prior to launching on the reservoir. Boaters are advised that by law in order to be allowed on the reservoir every trailered vessel must be inspected. In order to be inspected, 1) the hull of every trailered vessel must be free of all debris, mud and ice and 2) the interior of every trailered vessel must be cleaned, drained and dry prior to the inspection and regardless of prevailing weather conditions. It is up to each operator to make sure that his vessel meets these required conditions before being inspected.
Any vessel, float tube or belly boat that is found to be contaminated will be refused admittance to the reservoir until that vessel, float tube or belly boat is satisfactorily decontaminated. Decontamination can be done by park staff at the Eleven Mile Shop by appointment only. Owners should be aware that inspections at Spinney Mountain Reservoir will be required every time the vessel enters the ramp area for launching unless the vessel has an untampered inspection strap attached to its bow that was placed upon it at Spinney Mountain Reservoir. Inspection straps from Eleven Mile will no longer be honored since that body of water is now known to contain ANS.
EFFECTIVE APR 29, 2013: The South Boat Ramp will remain closed to all use due to low water.
EFFECTIVE APR 29, 2013: The North Boat Ramp will remain closed to all use due to low water.
EFFECTIVE APRIL 29, 2013: The park and the reservoir will open for hand launched boating only after ice-off has occurred. Mandatory vessel inspections for aquatic nuisance species will be conducted at the Spinney Mountain Entrance Station from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset Thursday - Monday. No gas powered vessels will be allowed to be even hand launched on Tuesday or Wednesday. Both the reservoir and boat ramp are closed to boating 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. We ask that you arrive at the inspection station with your vessel clean, drained and dry.
How Can You Help?
Before leaving any lake or other waterway, fishermen and boaters should:
- DRAIN all water from the boat, including live wells, bait wells and ballast tanks.
- CLEAN the hull of your vessel, belly boat or float tube thoroughly.
- DRY the vessel, fishing gear and equipment.
- INSPECT all exposed surfaces.
- REMOVE all plant and animal material.
Additional contact information for Zebra Mussels policies and strategies:
• Boating Policies at a given park – Call the individual park office.
• State Parks regulations related to Zebra Mussels – Call Pat Gavin 303-791-1954.
• Overall parks Zebra Mussel strategy – Call Gene Seagle 303-866-3203 x 4343 or Elizabeth Brown 303-291-7362.
• Statewide Zebra Mussel strategy – Call Greg Gehrlich 303-291-7360.
Please be aware: Area winds can blow in gusts up to 40 mph and create five-foot waves on the reservoir. Storms develop very quickly and a bigger boat is always better on this reservoir.
See the park's homepage for current weather conditions.
Fishing equipment and boat rentals are available at the 11 Mile Marina.