Boyd Lake

By denver-gazette September 14, 2016 | updated 10 years ago

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Get Directions

Boyd Lake on the east side of Loveland is a 1,747-acre reservoir that is the centerpiece of popular Boyd Lake State Park. The reservoir was built between 1905 and 1909 to store water for irrigation of nearby fields. Colorado Fish and Wildlife leased land around the lake in 1958 for a wildlife area, which later became a state parkland. The popular lake, west of Interstate 25, boasts an annual visitation of over 400,000 people. Boyd Lake, a haven for water-sports enthusiasts, attracts sailboats, powerboats, fishing boats, canoes, sailboards, and paddle boards. The state park, spread over 361 acres on the lake’s west side, offers a campground, hiking and biking trails, a visitor center, marina, and swim beach. Boyd Lake State Park also hosts events including fishing derbies and clinics, educational programs, campfire programs in summer, and volunteer projects.

Pro Tips

Boyd Lake is popular with fishermen who angle for warm water species, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, blue gill, carp, catfish, crappie, walleye, yellow perch, as well as trout. The summer water temperature is usually in the 60s, with depths up to 45 feet. Boyd Lake State Park offers a one-day introduction to fishing for kids to learn about fishing equipment and types of fish in Colorado lakes.

The lake’s swim beach is a cool getaway on hot summer days. The swimming area, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, includes a clean sand beach, restrooms, showers, playground for kids, and picnic tables.

The lake is easily accessible for wildlife watching. Over 200 species of resident and migratory birds flock to the lake, including egrets, pelicans, great blue herons, gulls, hawks, great horned owls, and bald eagles. Keep an eye out for mammals in this urban parkland like coyotes, red foxes, muskrats, and raccoons.

Boyd Lake State Park offers lakeside camping in six loops at Cottonwood Campground. The 148-campsites are ideal for RVs and trailers up to 40 feet long. Make reservations for weekends and stays longer than two nights. Tenters are also welcome.

Recommended season(s): Year-round.

—Stewart M. Green

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