Lake John State Wildlife Area
Provides access to Lake John. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Discover 340 public boat launches, ramps, and marina access points throughout Colorado. Find the perfect launch site for your next boating adventure.
Colorado boating is high-altitude boating, and that changes a few things worth knowing before you load up the trailer. Engines run slightly less efficiently at elevation, so if you're bringing a boat from sea level, expect a modest power reduction. More importantly, altitude affects human performance too, especially if you're not acclimated, so take it easy your first day out.
The major reservoirs - Horsetooth, Chatfield, Cherry Creek near the Front Range, and Blue Mesa out west - all have public ramp access and see heavy summer use from the Denver metro population. Horsetooth gets particularly crowded on summer weekends. Dillon Reservoir in Summit County is popular but has strict no-wake rules that limit it mostly to paddling and sailing.
Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison is Colorado's largest body of water and the ramp infrastructure there is solid. It's also known for kokanee salmon fishing, which brings in a different crowd than your typical warm-water bass lake.
Weather is the thing Colorado will surprise you with. Afternoon thunderstorms build fast over the mountains from late spring through early fall, and they can go from clear skies to lightning in under an hour. Watch the western ridgeline, and if you see anvil-top clouds building, get off the water. The elevation means lightning is a real threat, not a background concern.
Colorado also requires boater education certification for certain age groups, and aquatic nuisance species inspections are taken seriously at most boat ramps in the state. Budget extra time on busy weekends for the inspection process.
Discover the best boat ramps, popular water bodies, boating regulations, and essential information for Colorado.
Read the Full Guide →🌊 Pine Creek
📍 Douglas, CO
View Details →🌊 Lake Henry
📍 Crowley County, CO
View Details →🌊 South Lottis Creek
📍 Gunnison, CO
View Details →🌊 Bear Creek - Bear Creek Lake
📍 Lakewood, CO
View Details →🌊 Hartman Retention Reservoir
📍 Grand Junction, CO
View Details →🌊 Neenoshe Reservoir
📍 Kiowa County, CO
View Details →Colorado offers excellent boating opportunities with 340 boat ramps across the state. Whether you're looking to launch on lakes, rivers, or coastal waters, our directory helps you find the perfect access point for your watercraft.
When selecting a boat ramp in Colorado, consider these factors:
Browse our complete directory of boat ramps in Colorado below. Use the filters to narrow your search by county or specific features you need.
Provides access to Lake John. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Provides access to Clear Creek – Clear Creek Reservoir. Located in Vicksburg, CO. Public access.
Provides access to Arkansas River. Located in Buena Vista, CO. Public access.
Provides access to Big Sandy Creek – Ramah Reservoir. Located in El Paso County. Public access.
Provides access to Flagler Reservoir. Located in Kit Carson County. Public access.
Provides access to Beaver Creek – Skaguay Reservoir. Located in Teller County. Public access.
Provides access to Cowdrey Lake. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Provides access to Delaney Butte Lakes. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Provides access to Delaney Butte Lakes. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Provides access to Delaney Butte Lakes. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Provides access to Grape Creek – DeWeese Reservoir. Located in Custer County. Public access.
Provides access to North Lake. Located in Stonewall, CO. Public access.
Provides access to Seymour Lake. Located in Jackson County. Public access.
Provides access to Holbrook Reservoir. Located in Otero County. Public access.
Provides access to Holbrook Reservoir. Located in Otero County. Public access.
Provides access to Horse Creek Reservoir. Located in Otero County. Public access.
Provides access to Adobe Creek Reservoir. Located in Bent County. Public access.
Provides access to Adobe Creek Reservoir. Located in Bent County. Public access.
Provides access to Adobe Creek Reservoir. Located in Bent County. Public access.
Provides access to Adobe Creek Reservoir. Located in Bent County. Public access.
Provides access to Arkansas River. Located in Bent County. Public access.
Provides access to Neeskah Reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Neeskah Reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Unnamed reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Neenoshe Reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Neenoshe Reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Thurston Reservoir. Located in Prowers County. Public access.
Provides access to Neegonda Reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Neenoshe Reservoir. Located in Kiowa County. Public access.
Provides access to Two Buttes Creek – Two Buttes Reservoir. Located in Baca County. Public access.