paddling – Mountain Wayfarer

Old Town Penobscot 15 canoe on Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area

Summer weekend. Where to paddle kayak, canoe or SUP in Fort Collins?

There is a lot of paddling opportunities along Front Range in Colorado. Horseooth Reservoir is perhaps the most popular lake near Fort Collins. However, during a summer weekend, I am rather looking for something less crowded and away from power boats.

I would recommend one of city’s natural areas to play with your kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard. Along the Poudre River there are several small lakes and ponds created in location of former gravel mining operations. These lakes are used mostly by fishermen. Water level doesn’t change much during a year. So, there is a lot of vegetation along shores and plenty of wildlife.

My favorite Fort Collins natural areas for paddling are Arapaho Bend and Riverbend Ponds, but you can explore other areas along the river as well. There is also Dixon Lake at foothills.

Corgi dog in a canoe — Pixel, the water Corgi, in a canoe

SUP paddling, Colorado — SUP paddling in Beaver Pond, Arapaho Bend Natural Area

There are a lot of opportunities for paddling a canoe, kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP) in the Fort Collins area. My first recommendation for an easy recreational paddling would one of Fort Collins Nature Areas. Several old gravel mining operation along the Poudre River were transformed into nature areas with numerous small lakes and ponds. My favorite are Arapaho Bend and Riverbend Ponds areaa.

The above picture was shot during my morning paddling workout on Beaver Pond – the largest lake in Arapaho Bend Natural Area. One lap around this ponds is approximately 1 mile if you follow the shoreline closely. The easiest access is from Strauss Cabin road between Harmony and Horsetooth. Since water level in these ponds does not change very much there is a lot of natural coastal vegetation and wildlife.

Tag: paddling

Paddling Natural Areas in Fort Collins, Colorado

Stand Up Paddling (SUP) in Arapaho Bend Natural Area