Updated August 2026
Best Kayaking Lakes in Colorado
Top 9 kayaking lakes in Colorado, ranked by Secchi clarity (clearer water makes for better paddling — you can see fish, plants, and the bottom).
- Grade A–B water quality
- No known access restrictions
- 50–2,000 acres
Kayaking-friendly rankings prefer lakes with low motor-boat congestion, interesting shoreline, decent water clarity, and public access. Crystal Reservoir (A) tops the Colorado list.
Kayaking favors lakes with shoreline interest — bays, islands, undeveloped stretches — which tends to correlate with the larger, more remote Colorado lakes rather than the small, residential ones.
| Rank | Lake | County | State | Grade | Clarity | Area | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crystal Reservoir | Montrose | CO | A | 15.4 ft | 301 acres | - |
| 2 | Lake John | Jackson | CO | A | 13.8 ft | 612 acres | ~46 ft est. |
| 3 | Elkhead Reservoir | Moffat | CO | A | 5.2 ft | 724 acres | ~34 ft est. |
| 4 | Boyd Lake | Larimer | CO | A | 4.6 ft | 1,747 acres | - |
| 5 | Lon Hagler Reservoir | Larimer | CO | A | 4.6 ft | 201 acres | ~16 ft est. |
| 6 | Douglas Reservoir | Larimer | CO | A | 4.1 ft | 565 acres | ~16 ft est. |
| 7 | Highline Lake | Mesa | CO | A | 3 ft | 155 acres | ~10 ft est. |
| 8 | Chatfield Reservoir | Jefferson | CO | B | 6.2 ft | 1,150 acres | ~64 ft est. |
| 9 | Chambers Lake | Larimer | CO | B | 5.1 ft | 281 acres | ~16 ft est. |
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Where to stay near Colorado kayaking lakes
Find cabins, campgrounds, and rentals near Colorado's clearest paddling water — live availability and prices for your kayak trip.
Top-rated places to stay near Colorado paddling lakes
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.