Colorado may be a landlocked state, but even if you don’t own a boat you can still jet around that cool city lake or paddle along the shores of a reservoir during the summer. There are an array of services and outfitters available right in and near Denver, from private boat owners and boat rental shops to marinas right by the water.
Keep in mind you may need a permit to take larger boats on a lot of lakes, especially if renting from private citizens. However, most non-motorized, hand-launched boats don’t need a permit. Check the city’s website and/or the rental company to find out if this added expense is needed.
Next, just pick which body of water you want to go to, and find a canoe, speed boat, kayak, paddleboard and fishing boat there.
Bear Creek Lake Park
Try kayaking on a Colorado lake. Source: Depositphotos
If you have ever traveled on the West side of C-470 near the racetrack, you have probably seen Bear Creek Lake shimmering below. The water is part of a large, 2,624-acre park that also includes Big Soda Lake and Little Soda Lake.
It’s one of the few places near Denver to have a “beach” day. It’s also a prime spot for boating and fishing.
Motorized boats are only allowed in Bear Creek Lake, though non-motorized boats are allowed in Big Soda Lake. Rent paddleboards, kayaks and canoes from Rocky Mountain Paddleboard.
Location: Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W Morrison Rd, Lakewood.
Price: Starts at $30 for one hour for stand up paddleboards and single person kayaks, $40 for one hour for canoes and double person kayaks, and $65 for one hour with an XL paddleboard that can hold up to nine people at a time.
Extra: Parking fee of $10 per vehicle.
Chatfield Reservoir
Get out on the water and rent a boat this summer. Photo by Linnea Covington
Rent a 6- or 10-person pontoon in Chatfield State Park to take out in the Littleton reservoir. It’s great for a day of fishing or just relaxing on the water. All these rentals go through Chatfield Marina.
Or, book a kayak or canoe from Colorado Water Sports. You can take off from and pick up your single- or double-person skiff at Roxborough Cove. Stand up paddleboards are available at Swim Beach.
Location: The main entrance to Chatfield State Park is one mile south of C-470 on Wadsworth Blvd.
Price: Rental starts at $300 for 4 hours on the 6-person boat (each additional hour adds $75 and there is a $500 damage deposit); single kayaks start at $30 an hour and double kayaks and canoes start at $35 an hour. Stand up paddleboards start at $25.
Extra: All visitors must have a State Park day pass or annual pass. A day pass costs $10 per vehicle.
City Park
Have fun with a pedal boat. Source: Depositphotos
Yes, the Ferril and Duck Lakes at City Park are the perfect spots for water activities. Through Wheel Fun Rentals you can rent out a pedal boat shaped like a swan with a capacity of up to 600 pounds, and (seasonally) they get decorated with lights at night in City Park. All rentals come with life jackets and a paddle when needed.
Location: City Park, right on the shore of Ferril Lake near the pavilion.
Price: Swan boats start at $12 per hour for adults and $7 per hour for kids 12 and under.
Bonus savings: For $20 (on top of the price of your first rental) buy a season pass, which gives you half-off all rentals at any Wheel Fun Rentals locations across the country.
Evergreen Lake
All it takes is a bit of balance to master a paddle board. Source: Depositphotos
Take a boat out on the lake everyday, all summer long until Labor Day.
Rentals take place right at the lake house, and include canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and row boats offered on a first-come first-serve basis. Lifejackets are included with the rental fee.
Location: Evergreen Lake House, 29612 Upper Bear Creek Rd., Evergreen.
Price: Starts at $25; there’s also a $10 fee Monday through Thursday and a $15 fee Friday through Sunday for private boats. Private boat owners are responsible for bringing their own PFD or must rent one for $10 from the lake house.
Sloan’s Lake
Rent a kayak to take out on a local lake. Photo by Linnea Covington
Motorized boats aren’t allowed on this small lake, which makes taking a paddleboard or kayak out on the water more peaceful. Denver Paddle Board will deliver to you at the lake for free, and you can take it out for 2 to 8 hours, or the whole weekend. The company also delivers to other lakes in Denver for a fee.
Location: Denver Paddle Board at 1336 Sheridan Blvd.
Price: Kayaks start at $40 for 2 hours and inflatable paddle boards start at $30 for 2 hours. All weekend rentals are $200 for 72 hours.
Bonus savings: No permit is needed to take out non-motorized, hand-launched crafts on the water.
Standley Lake
Canoeing can get you a close-up view of nature. Source: Depositphotos
This Westminster lake is mostly known for its bald eagle population and if you take out a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard on the water you may see one. Visitors can play on the lake May 2 through September 30, but keep in mind no gas-powered or sail boats allowed.
Rent a device straight from the city at the lake. There are no rentals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. All water devices have to be hosed down with hot water before they can go on the lake.
Location: Entrance for any watercraft is at the main park entrance, at 100th Ave. and Simms St.
Price: Starting at $20 per hour.
Extras: It costs $10 per day for a daily paddle pass which includes single day entry and use of one paddle board, canoe, kayak, or multi-chambered inflatable raft.
Bonus savings: $125 annual paddle craft permits are available which include annual vehicle entry and unlimited lake access for one paddle craft. This permit is $100 for seniors, people with disabilities, and military personnel.
Washington Park
Also through Wheel Fun Rentals, Washington Park’s Smith Lake has pedal boats. There’s also a fleet of kayaks and paddleboards as well as water trikes to rent. All rentals come with life jackets and a paddle when needed.
Location: Washington Park, at the boathouse, 701 S. Franklin St.
Price: Starts at $15 per hour for a kayak and up to $30 per hour for a double kayak. Stand up paddle boards are $20 per hour and water trikes are $30.
Bonus savings: For $20 (on top of the price of your first rental) buy a season pass, which gives you half off all rentals at any Wheel Fun Rentals locations across the country.
Anywhere Rental Companies
Get My Boat
Think of Get My Boat as the Airbnb of boats. Regular people who own boats rent their boats out to those who want to use one.
Last we checked there were over 100 different vessels from jet skies to speedboats to two-person kayaks available for rent in Colorado, many near Denver. Visit the website to see what’s available, where and when.
Location: Various places, check website for locations.
Price Range: Prices have a vast range starting at around $10 an hour for a single-person kayak to $500 a day for a 20-foot Wakeboard boat
Boat Setter
Though not as large of a company as Get My Boat, Boat Setter has boat rentals in and near Denver. These vessels are owned by private citizens and range in price and style.
Location: Various places, check website for locations.
Price: Various prices, for example, take out an 8-person speed boat for $81 an hour. Or for $63 an hour, get a Bayliner complete with life jackets, water skies, tubes and shade tops.
Elevation Water Sports
Speed boats and jet skis are the vehicles of choice at Elevation Water Sports. Reserve what you want, then pick it up or have it delivered and take it to the lake of your dreams.
A trailer is included in the rental to help with transport. Life jackets are not included, but required for ages 13 and under, and can be rented as well. Some of the rentals include a captain, depending on the boat.
Location: Anywhere
Price: Starting at $300 an hour for a 12-seat Super Air Nautique 210; or $600 a day for Yamaha AR195
Someday Rentals
Get an 8-person boat for lounging, fishing and hanging with your best friends, and take it out on any local lakes that allow it. The boat includes lifejackets for all riders, water skies, kneeboard and 3-person tube.
Location: Pick up and drop off at Someday Rentals, 15420 Galena St. in Brighton, or at an agreed upon location.
Price: Bookings start at $399 a day with a $100 refundable damage deposit.