Paddle Craft Use & Rentals
Canoeing, paddle boarding, rowing, and kayaking offer a different perspective of the stunning scenery at Standley Lake and allow you to explore places that you cannot access by car or foot. Standley Lake offers paddle craft rentals, seasonal paddling permits, and daily drop-in paddle passes. Lake access is allowed May 1 to September 30.
2026 Paddling Permits
2026 annual paddling permits are available for purchase online.
Rentals
Standley Lake offers watercraft rentals (kayaks, SUPs, and oarboard rowers). Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 am, May 2 to September 30. Rentals are only available on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, and holidays.
Standley Lake does not allow any type of watercraft, including paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, inflatable rafts, or tubes, to enter the lake at any entrance point except the main park entrance located at 100th Avenue and Simms Street. All paddle craft must be sprayed in accordance with Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations prior to launching.
Hours
- Lake access: 7 am to sunset (MST), May 1 to September 30
- Spray station hours: 7 am to 7 pm, May 1 to September 30
Daily Paddle Pass
Fee: $10
Available May 1 - September 30
Pass includes single-day park entry and use for one paddle board, canoe, kayak, and multi-chambered inflatable raft only. All paddle craft must enter at the main entrance to the park and will be sprayed in accordance with ANS protocols.
If paddle craft are brought in on a trailer, the trailer cannot come into contact with the water. The paddle craft must be able to be carried to and from the water. Available May 1 - September 30.
Paddle Craft Rentals
Open May 1 to September 30, Friday through Monday and holidays.
Standley Lake offers rentals on paddle boards, Oarboard Rowers, single kayaks, double kayaks, fishing kayaks, and canoes.
Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 am, May 1 to September 30 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and holidays). All rentals include life jacket(s) and paddle(s).
All participants must sign a waiver and adhere to the park rules and regulations. Patrons must be 18 or older to sign the liability waiver for paddle craft rentals. By signing the waiver you are assuming responsibility for all persons in your party. Minors (under 18) must have an adult with them on the water at all times. Life jackets are included with all rentals and must be worn at all times.
Rates:
- Canoe (per hour) - $20
- Single Kayak (per hour) - $20
- Fishing Kayak (per hour) - $22.50
- Double Kayak (per hour) - $25
- Stand-up paddle board (per hour) - $20
- Oarboard Rower (per hour) - $20 (one private rowing lesson required to use Oarboard rentals)
- Extra Paddle or Life Jacket Rental (human and dog life jackets available - 4-hour rental) - $10
Annual Paddle Craft Permits
Annual paddle craft permits are available for purchase online.
Annual paddle craft use permit
Fee: $125
Includes annual vehicle entry (January 1 to December 31) into the park and unlimited lake access for one paddle craft, May 1 to September 30. Permit does not include storage or camping.
Senior / person with disabilities / military paddle craft annual permit
Fee: $100
Includes annual vehicle entry (January 1 to December 31) into the park and unlimited lake access for one paddle craft May 1 to September 30 for persons with disabilities, military or seniors aged 60 or older. Does not include storage or camping.
- Lake access is allowed from 7 am (MST) to sunset, May 1 to September 30.
- Spray Station hours are 7 am to 7 pm (May 1 to September 30).
Rules
Standley Lake does not allow pool toys or any floating device not designed for open water use. Staff reserves the right to disallow any type of watercraft that is not suitable for use on the lake.
Standley Lake does not allow any type of watercraft including paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, inflatable rafts, or tubes to enter into the lake at any entrance point except the main park entrance located at 100th Avenue and Simms Street. Any and all paddle craft must be sprayed in accordance with Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations prior to launching.
- No alcohol. Standley Lake is a no-alcohol park.
- No swimming or wading, including dogs.
- Pets are welcome, but they are not permitted in the water at any time and must remain on a leash.
- Pets are allowed on paddle craft, but must wear a life jacket and are not permitted to be in the water.
- All personal paddle craft users must carry one wearable Coast Guard-approved PFD for each person. Children under 13 must wear it at all times.
- All paddle craft users are required to carry a whistle or horn.
- If an electric motor is utilized on paddle craft, it must be registered with the State of Colorado.
- Any canoe, kayak, paddleboard, sailboard, or non-motorized raft which is not required to be registered must be marked with the owner’s name and current address in a legible, clearly visible, and durable fashion.
What is Allowed?
- Hand-launched watercraft (boats that are not launched from a trailer) - For example, multi-chambered inflatable rafts, kayaks, canoes, SUPs, etc.
- Propulsion systems:
- Paddle craft (human-powered)
- Sailboats (wind-powered)
- Electric motors with up to 75 pounds of thrust
What is NOT Allowed?
- Launching any kind of watercraft from a trailer
- Gas, diesel, or jet engines
- Electric motors with more than 75 pounds of thrust
- Belly boats
- Personal float tubes
- Single-chambered flotation devices, including inflatable rafts, inner tubes, mattresses, pool toys or any floating device not designed for open water use.
Staff reserves the right to disallow any type of watercraft that is not suitable for use on the lake at their discretion.
All paddle craft must meet Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) program guidelines before gaining access to the lake.
Watercraft Risk Levels
- Low risk: Hand-launched and non-motorized craft. These boats pose the lowest risk of introducing an invasive species, disrupting wildlife habitat, or impacting water quality. Allowed on Standley Lake.
- Medium risk: Simple boats. These non-trailed, open-hull boats have no compartments that carry water. Small electric motors are allowed. Allowed on Standley Lake.
- High risk: Complex boats. These boats are motorized, trailed, and have spaces on board that carry water. They pose a high risk of introducing an invasive species and may negatively impact wildlife habitat or water quality. Not allowed on Standley Lake.
- Very high risk: Very complex boats. The highest-risk boats include boats with ballast and boats with raw water systems. Not allowed on Standley Lake.
- What is the process to get my paddle craft decontaminated?
-
All paddle craft must enter the park through the main gate. When you purchase your daily paddle pass ($10) at the gatehouse, staff notifies ranger staff to meet you at the spray station to spray your craft (paddle craft must be inflated prior to getting the spray if it is an inflatable). You will be required to present your entry receipt to the ranger at the spray station. Rangers will conduct the spray using hot water (no chemicals). Once sprayed, you will receive a wristband, which indicates your paddle craft has met the ANS protocols and is clear to launch on the lake. Any person(s) utilizing paddle craft must wear a valid wristband while recreating at Standley Lake.
- I am interested in using paddle craft on the lake. What are my options?
-
There are a couple options. There is an annual $200 paddle craft permit, which covers one paddle craft per permit. You also have the option of paying daily, which is $10 for each paddle craft. All paddle craft must be sprayed before launching onto Standley Lake in accordance with ANS regulations.
- What are the PFD (personal flotation device) requirements to paddle on Standley Lake?
-
There must be a coast guard approved PFD available for each person utilizing paddle craft. Patrons utilizing rental equipment must wear a PFD at all times while on the water.