Boyd Lake State Park is a water-sports haven for northern Colorado. The lake lies at the western-most edge of the plains at the foot of snow-capped Long's Peak and the mountains of the Continental Divide.
Boyd Lake State Park has something for everyone: boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, biking, and hunting.
All types of watercraft: ski boats, fishing boats, jet skis, sailboats, canoes, use Boyd Lake's 1,700 surface-acres of water. Boyd also has a sandy beach and a pavilion for swimmers. Boyd Lake State Park also has a modern campground with 148 paved pull-through sites that can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet in length.
Biking
During the spring and summer, bicyclists enjoy a meandering, paved trail under cool cottonwood trees by the water's edge. Boyd Lake's trail is a segment of the larger City of Loveland recreation trail system.
Boating
All boats must be properly registered and equipped in accordance with the State Law before launching.
Camping
Boyd Lake State Park campground has 148 excellent, paved, electrical ONLY, pull-through campsites, which can accommodate tents, pick-up campers, trailers and motor homes up to 40' in length.
Check out is 12:00 (noon) the next day. Check in time for campsites is 1:00 pm.
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the park as long as:
they are on a six foot or shorter leash at all times and hand-held or secured some way;
their waste is properly disposed of
Fishing
Reported by Type of Fish: GRADE; Lures Reported Used; Location Reported.
WATER TEMPERATURE: ~52°F
Bass, Largemouth: No report; No bait report; no location
Bass, Smallmouth: No report; No bait report; no location
Bass, White: FAIR; shallow areas up on north end of lake
Blue Gill: FAIR/GOOD; No bait report
Carp: No report; No bait report; no location
Catfish: FAIR/GOOD; near HD Fishing Pier/ Marina
Crappie: No report; No bait report; no location
Trout: FAIR/GOOD; wax worms/jigs; near Marina.
Walleye: FAIR; live bait/rigs; trolling at depths 20-30'
Yellow Perch: No report; No bait report; no location
***Reminder - No fishing from marina slips or docks (next to is okay but can't use them in any way.***
NOTE: No snowmobiles or Off Highway Vehicles are allowed on Boyd Lake State Park.
PLEASE NOTE: Any live fish collected for use as bait may only be used in the same body of water from which they were collected. All live bait/fish from a commercial source and transported by anglers must at all times be accompanied by a receipt for the source. Receipt is valid for 7 days. If you do not use all live aquatic bait in one trip, you must provide your own distilled water to transport from each body of water.
Geocaching
Boyd Lake State Park has several geocaching locations hidden within the park. The locations and names for each can be located on various geocaching internet web sites. Always remember that you must have a valid parks pass if you are on the park searching for these locations.
Hiking
Hikers enjoy the paved and gravel trails beside the beaches and under the shade of cottonwood trees next to the water's edge. Boyd Lake's trail is a segment of the City of Loveland's recreation trail system. All pets must be on a six-foot leash, and we must request that visitors pick up after their pets.
Also available is the 1/2 mile self-guided Nature Trail on the south end of the park past the Campgrounds over the bridge on the Heinricy Inlet.
Hunting
Waterfowl hunting is allowed in designated areas called "Hunt Zones". Red & white signs alert trail and park users of these areas
When Boyd Lake is closed to boating, the only vessel allowed to retrieve downed waterfowl on the water is a belly boat.
Ice Skating
During the winter, Ice Skating is an activity that has been popular the last few years at Boyd Lake. This activity is not officially sponsored by the park, but we have seen individuals come out and clear their own areas and skate regularly. Like all other activities at the park, this is at your own risk.
Jet Skiing
In Aug. 2018, as part of a state and federal initiative to monitor aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in the state, specialists with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation first confirmed the presence of the veligers, initially through microscopic analysis followed by DNA testing. An independent laboratory contracted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed Reclamation's findings. It is unknown if the veligers were dead or alive at the time of detection.
All boats must be properly registered and equipped in accordance with the State Law.
The MAXIMUM speed limit is 40 MPH (see Boating for all speed limit rules)
All vessels are required to be inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species (Zebra Mussels, et al.) prior to launching.
The Heron Cove (north) ramp is used for launching Jet Skis (personal watercraft) and sail boats,
Just a reminder: Colorado State Parks require that your boat and trailer registrations be current before launching.
Picnicking
Boyd Lake State Park features 67 individual first-class picnic sites. These sites are available "first-come-first-serve." Most have grills at the site and some have a shelter.
Swimming
The swim beach is OPEN to swimming.
The Boyd Lake State Park swim beach provides cool relief on Colorado's hot summer days. A pavilion at the beach includes rinsing showers, restrooms, a playground, and picnic tables and Fun Foods snack bar where you can purchase food and other items.
Float toys may be used in the buoyed-off swimming area.
For the safety and enjoyment of our visitors, glass containers, charcoal grills, and pets are prohibited on the swim beach. Boats are prohibited within the buoyed swim area.
Volleyball
During the summer season there are two volleyball courts (sand based) at Boyd Lake.
One volleyball court (sand based) is located at the Swim Beach Plaza and is available to the public on a first come, first serve basis.
The second volleyball court (sand based) is private and located at the Mariner Point Group Picnic Area. However, the Group Picnic Area is only available with a paid reservation fee only; this is a great place to hold larger group functions at a very reasonable rate.
The net is in place but you must provide your own volleyball.
Water Skiing
Waterskiing is permitted in the south half of Boyd Lake only. A person that is the "observer" is required when towing or skiing during the legal hours.
All powerboats in the designated skiing area must travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
Winter Camping
During the Winter Season (November 1st - March 31st), the campground is open, but the number of campsites available is reduced. The only restroom building open with flush toilets and showers during this time is between E/F.
No laundry facilities are available during our winter camping phase.
