Where to Paddleboard in Boulder? Here’s 3 of Our Favorite Spots
Paddleboarding in Boulder usually requires a bit of travel and setup, but once you’re on the water, you can access some wonderful locations. For info on our rentals, see our summer rentals page. For retail availability or other questions, call us (303-449-7669). Without further ado, here are our best recommendations for paddleboarding nearby!
Macintosh Lake
- Atmosphere: Convenient, casual, and beginner-friendly.
- Why Go: A short drive, easy parking, lots of space on the water, and lovely views of Longs Peak.
- What You Need to Know: Open from an hour before sunrise to an hour after sunset. Check Longmont’s website for full details and policies.
Brainard Lake
- Atmosphere: A high-alpine mountain experience.
- Why Go: Gorgeous views of the Continental Divide peaks right from your board. Hiking trails surround the lake, making it great for a multi-activity day. At over 10,000 ft, Brainard stays relatively cool even through heat waves; you’ll probably see some snow on the surrounding peaks!
- What You Need to Know: The road to the lake is usually open from mid-June to mid-October. Parking near the lake requires a permit, available at recreation.gov. Permits can be competitive, but there’s a large first-come first-serve paid parking area at the Gateway Trailhead. It’s common to hike or bike the 2.5 miles to the lake, though we saw the introduction of a weekend shuttle program in 2026. See up-to-date details on fees and general policies here, and season-specific information here.
Gross Reservoir
- Atmosphere: An expansive reservoir contained by the massive Gross Dam.
- Why Go: A large area to explore with many inlets. A foothills environment just a short drive from town.
- What You Need to Know: Gross is open to boating in the Summer months only. Denver Water usually operates a shuttle from Friday through Monday to carry you and your boats from the parking area to the water. Be sure to check Denver Water’s official website for up-to-date policies.
