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Colorado State Parks
Parks > Boyd Lake State Park > Activities

Park Activities

Biking

Bicyclists enjoy a meandering, paved trail under cool cottonwood trees by the water’s edge. Boyd Lake’s trail is a segment of the larger City of Loveland recreation trail system.

(Updated: 11/9/2022 10:24 AM)

Boating

Boyd Lake is OPEN for boating!

All boats must be properly registered and equipped in accordance with State Law before launching.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Inspections

All vessels are required to be inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species prior to launching. ANY BLUE RECEIPT or OUT-OF-STATE seal/receipt will not be accepted at Boyd Lake for pre-inspection purposes!

2024 ANS Inspection Hours:

  • March (when open to boating): 8am - 6pm (Decon: 9am-5pm)
  • April: 7am - 7pm (Decon: 8am-6pm)
  • May-Labor Day: 6am - 9pm (Decon: 7am-8pm)
  • September 3rd-30th: 6am - 8pm (Decon: 7am-7pm)
  • October: 7am - 7pm (Decon: 8am-6pm)
  • November: 8am - 6pm (Decon: 9am-5pm)

Colorado Boating Safely Classes

Effective June 1, 2024, anyone under 18 years old (14 yrs. to 17yrs.) will have to take and complete the Boating Safely course to operate a motorized vessel in Colorado and have the ID on their person while operating.

Young people aged 14 to 17 years (16 or 17 after June 1, 2024) who want to ride a jet ski or drive a boat must pass a REQUIRED Boating Safely course. Please visit CPW’s Boating Safely Page for more information and to register for a class near you!

Classes are usually offered May-September of each year. The cost of the course is $15.00 per student. The student will study at home from a book and come to a “sit-down” or virtual review class and take the test. Students can purchase and download an electronic manual for $4.99. If you are unable to purchase and use the electronic manual, please call 303-291-7575 or email boating.safety@state.co.us to request a physical manual.

The student must pass the test to receive their Boating Safely ID card and must carry it with them while boating.

(Updated: 5/26/2024 9:54 AM)

Camping

CONSTRUCTION on Loop A has started (10/2023-TBD)! Please keep out of the construction area! Heavy machinery, large trucks, and construction workers are in the area. Campground Loop A is under construction and you will not be able to reserve a site in this loop until construction is completed, projected opening TBD.

Campground Loop A/B Laundry Facility is OPEN. Please note that change is not readily available. Laundry Machines can be paid for by utilizing the app posted in the facility.

ALL camping reservations at Boyd Lake are made by calling 1-800-244-5613; please listen to the message in its entirety to speak to an agent or visit us online at cpwshop.com.

Visit the Boyd Lake Camping page.

(Updated: 8/15/2024 12:20 PM)

Dog-friendly

Dogs are welcome at Boyd Lake:

  • Dogs/pets must be on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times and hand-held or secured some way.
  • Dog/pet waste must be properly disposed of.
  • Dogs/pets are not allowed on the swim beach.

(Updated: 4/24/2023 11:43 AM)

Equipment Rental

Marina Rentals

Boyd Lake Marina Inc. is OPEN for the season. General store and boat rentals are available at the main boat ramp.

(The Marina is located inside Boyd Lake State Park. You must purchase a daily or annual park pass to access this business)

Boyd Lake Swim Beach - SUP Rentals

Boyd Lake Beach Rentals is OPEN for the season. They offer Stand Up Paddleboards, Bikes, Kayaks, Tubes, Life Vests, and more. Please contact them directly for pricing information.

  • Website: Boyd Lake Beach Rentals
  • Phone: (970) 666-1183
  • Hours: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday-Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday-Sunday
  • Instagram: @boyd_lake_beach_rentals
  • Facebook: @Boyd Lake Beach Rentals

Located at the Swim Beach Pavilion.

(Updated: 5/22/2024 12:20 PM)

Fishing Guides

Fishing Tournament Events

2024 Blackout dates where strict limitations will apply:

  • No special activities will be approved from May 25 - 27, June 16 or June 29 - July 7
  • Only minimal impact events will be allowed on Saturdays/Sundays from May 18-August 11.

If you have questions or aren’t sure your event requires a permit, contact the front desk at (970) 669-1739 ext 10.

Once your form is completed, please submit it by email to eric.grey@state.co.us.

(Updated: 11/14/2023 4:26 PM)

Hiking

There is a 1/2 mile self-guided Nature Trail on the south end of the park past the Campgrounds over the bridge on the Heinricy Inlet. The area is shown on the Boyd Lake Brochure Map.

(Updated: 11/9/2022 10:45 AM)

Hunting

2023-2024 Waterfowl Season is CLOSED.

Waterfowl hunting is the only hunting allowed at Boyd Lake. See the Boyd Lake Hunting page for hunting information.

Hunters must have a small game license, youth small game or combination license, federal duck stamp and a Colorado Waterfowl Stamp to hunt waterfowl.

Small-game licenses are available from any sales agent, CPW office, online, or by phone at 1-800-244-5613.

The annual license and HIP year are the same, beginning on April 1 annually and concluding March 31 annually.

If you intend to hunt small game (including migratory birds) in Colorado, you need a new Harvest Information Program number. Register through the Harvest Information Program. Note that live operator phone registrations at 1-866-COLO-HIP are no longer offered during the overnight hours from 10:30 p.m. to 7 a.m. The live operator system is also closed all day on major holidays.

(Updated: 2/14/2024 12:26 PM)

OHV Riding

We can register your OHV (off-highway vehicle/all-terrain vehicle) at our Park Office, but we do not allow OHV riding in the park.

(Updated: 3/9/2021 1:16 PM)

Picnicking

Boyd Lake State Park features 67 individual first-class picnic sites. These sites are available “first-come-first-serve.” Most have grills at the site and some have a shelter.

GROUP PICNIC AREA: The “Mariner Point Group Picnic Area” is open every year from approximately mid-May to September 30th for use and is available by reservation only.

Find more information on the Group Picnic Area page.

(Updated: 9/6/2023 10:47 AM)

Snowmobiling

We can register your snowmobile at our Park Office, but we do not allow snowmobile riding in the park.

(Updated: 11/9/2022 10:49 AM)

Swimming

The designated swimming area at the Swim Beach is OPEN. Bathrooms at the swim beach are OPEN.

The Boyd Lake State Park swim beach provides cool relief on Colorado’s hot summer days. A pavilion at the beach includes rinsing showers, restrooms, a playground, picnic tables, and Fun Foods snack bar where you can purchase food and other items.

For the safety and enjoyment of our visitors, the following is prohibited in the designated swim beach:

  • glass containers,
  • charcoal grills,
  • fishing,
  • open fires,
  • pets

Open swimming is allowed anywhere in Boyd Lake, except it is prohibited to swim on state-park managed properties:

  • From sunset to sunrise.
  • Within or 150 feet from: any boat ramp, marina, breakwater, dock, buoy-designated hazard or keep-out, any dam inlet or outlet structure, and where prohibited as posted
  • For any child under the age of 13 unless accompanied by an adult

Boats (including Stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks) are prohibited within the buoyed swim area.

USE CAUTION - ALL HAZARDS NOT MARKED ON THE LAKE.

(Updated: 5/25/2024 11:19 AM)

Volleyball

One volleyball court (sand-based) is located at the Swim Beach Plaza and is available to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Net availability is put up Memorial Day Weekend and taken down after Labor Day. When the net is in place, you must provide your own volleyball.

Visitors may set up their own temporary courts on the sand (must be removed daily by 10 PM).

(Updated: 11/9/2022 10:54 AM)

Water Skiing

Waterskiing is permitted in the south half of Boyd Lake only. Another person besides the driver is required to be an “observer” when towing or skiing. Towing is only permitted during the hours of sunrise and sunset. All boats must travel in a counter-clockwise direction.

(Updated: 11/9/2022 10:55 AM)