Dive into the busiest boating destinations across Colorado with a wealth of data gleaned from thousands of boat rentals.


Table of Contents

Colorado is a fantastic state for boating, offering diverse water experiences from serene mountain lakes to expansive reservoirs. With over 2,000 lakes and 8,000 miles of rivers, the state provides ample opportunities for both recreational and competitive boating. The boating industry in Colorado is thriving, with an estimated 83,000 registered boats, and the industry contributes significantly to the local economy, generating over $500 million annually. Popular destinations like Boyd Lake and Cherry Creek Reservoir attract thousands of boaters each year, highlighting the state's appeal as a premier boating destination. Colorado’s combination of stunning natural landscapes, well-maintained facilities, and a strong boating community make it an exceptional choice for enthusiasts.


About This Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top boating locations in Colorado.

It contains proprietary boating data for each city or location, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these destinations boating hotspots and the overall boating experience they offer.


Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed boat rental bookings and demand data for locations in Colorado. Cities and locations are determined by the city that the boat owner registers the boat in within their profile on the platform. The data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.


The Top Boating Cities in Colorado

Colorado Data Map

1. Loveland

Average Hourly Rate: $80/hour

Average Trip Price: $915

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Loveland, Colorado, is a fantastic boating destination thanks to its stunning natural scenery and access to Boyd Lake State Park, which offers a large, pristine reservoir ideal for various water activities. The park's expansive 1,700-acre lake provides ample space for boating, fishing, and watersports, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors. It’s a great lake to roll out a lily pad or inflate some tubes and enjoy a float off a boat. It has sandy beaches and lots of great picnic areas along the perimeter, making it a great place to spend a full day of boating and enjoying the outdoors.

With its well-maintained facilities, including boat ramps and docks, and the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Loveland combines convenience with breathtaking views, offering a perfect escape for boating enthusiasts.


2. Arvada

Average Hourly Rate: $46

Average Trip Price: $693

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

A suburb of Denver on the western side of the city, Arvada is considered one of the best places to live in Colorado, thanks to its easy access to beautiful outdoor spaces. Here you can enjoy boating in Standley Lake Regional park, which offers 1,200 acres of water perfect for powerboating, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The lake is a popular destination for water sports too, with facilities for fishing, camping, and picnicking, making it a well-rounded recreational area.

If you’re a birdwatching and animal-spotting enthusiast, don’t forget your binoculars when boating in Arvada. The lake is also a sanctuary for wildlife.


3. Littleton

Average Hourly Rate: $64

Average Trip Price: $599

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Littleton makes the list at #3 for busiest boating cities in Colorado, and it’s primarily thanks to its proximity to the Chatfield Reservoir. Located in Chatfield State Park, this reservoir is a favorite amongst boaters, as the expansive water body supports sailing, powerboating, and jet skiing. There are wildlife sanctuaries along the shoreline, perfect for seeing tons of different species of birds. The lake also has great facilities for boaters, including several full-service marinas.


4. Fort Collins

Average Hourly Rate: $68

Average Trip Price: $567

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Fort Collins is beloved for boating thanks to the uniquely shaped Horsetooth Reservoir. This 6.5-mile-long, half-mile wide reservoir is a key boating destination in Fort Collins, known for its clear waters and beautiful surroundings. It’s a popular waterway for various water activities, including sailing, motorboating, and paddleboarding. Many boat captains also offer water sports lessons, so if you’ve never gone wakeboarding or waterskiing before, Fort Collins would be a great place to learn.


5. Denver

Average Hourly Rate: $84

Average Trip Price: $493

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Denver, Colorado, is an excellent city for boating and boat rentals due to its proximity to a variety of scenic reservoirs and lakes. The area offers a perfect blend of urban convenience and outdoor adventure. The city's easy access to Cherry Creek Reservoir, Sloan’s Lake, and Chatfield Reservoir makes it a prime destination for boating enthusiasts. These water bodies offer ample opportunities for power boating, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

Denver's temperate summer climate makes it an ideal spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy a day on the water. The city also hosts community boating events like the Dragon Boat Festival, which draws crowds and boosts the popularity of on-water recreation.

6. Pueblo

Average Hourly Rate: $96

Average Trip Price: $351

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Thanks to Lake Pueblo State Park, in Pueblo, boaters have access to the Pueblo Reservoir. It spans over 4,500 acres, offering vast open waters for all types of boating, fishing, and on-water fun. It’s a popular fishing destination in particular, known for a range of fish species, including several types of bass, walleye, catfish, trout, and more. It’s hugely popular with anglers, and often you can even see people on the reservoir fishing in the winter. The mild climate in Pueblo allows for boating nearly year-round, making it ideal for quieter day on the water in the off season.


7. Greenwood Village

Average Hourly Rate: $164

Average Trip Price: $612

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Greenwood Village, Colorado, offers a unique boating experience with its proximity to Cherry Creek State Park, a hidden gem for water enthusiasts. The affluent community often seeks high-end boating experiences, making the nearby reservoir a popular choice.The park’s expansive Cherry Creek Reservoir provides ample space for a variety of boating activities, from sailing and motor boating to kayaking and paddleboarding. Greenwood Village’s tranquil suburban setting, combined with easy access to this serene reservoir, makes it a great escape for those looking to enjoy water sports without venturing far from Denver.


In Summary

Colorado is a fantastic state for boating, offering a diverse range of water bodies set against breathtaking natural scenery. From the expansive Blue Mesa Reservoir, the state’s largest body of water, perfect for sailing and fishing, to the picturesque Dillon Reservoir surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Rockies, there’s something for every boating enthusiast. Cherry Creek Reservoir near Denver provides urban dwellers with easy access to water sports, while Lake Granby offers a calm retreat with mountain views. Colorado is a prime destination for fishing, powerboating, and water sports fun on various lakes throughout the state.


About Getmyboat

Getmyboat offers charters and rentals, worldwide.

Launched in 2013 with the vision of making the joy of boating accessible to everyone, the company has since grown into the largest boat rental and charter marketplace globally, with over 150,000 listings in 184 countries covering 9,300 destinations.

By giving a platform to both individual boat owners and professional charter businesses, Getmyboat makes the experience of getting out on the water more accessible to everyone — from a weekend jet ski rental in the local lake to a vacation yacht charter to a bachelor party pontoon, and everything in between.


Citing this Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting purposes, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions, or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.