Boyd Lake State Park

State Park in Loveland, CO

Hours:

Park: 5 a.m. to 10 pm
Office: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10

Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

3720 N County Road 11-C
Loveland, CO 80538-2307
United States

Contact:

970-669-1739

[email protected]

Boyd Lake offers a wide variety of water activities. 

Boyd Lake State Park

State Park in Loveland, CO

Boyd Lake offers a wide variety of water activities. 

Hours:

Park: 5 a.m. to 10 pm
Office: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entrance Fees:

Daily Vehicle Pass: $​10

Individual Daily Pass: $4

Animals Permitted:

  • Leashed Dogs
  • Service Animals
  • Horses

Park Address:

3720 N County Road 11-C
Loveland, CO 80538-2307
United States

Contact:

970-669-1739

[email protected]

Navigate to:

Two boats pulling people on water skis

Two boats pulling people on water skis

Welcome to Boyd Lake State Park

Boyd Lake State Park is a water-recreation haven in northern Colorado. The lake lies at the westernmost edge of the plains, by the foot of snow-capped Long's Peak and the mountains of the Continental Divide. The park attracts visitors who enjoy boating, camping, water skiing, swimming, fishing, paddlesports, picnicking, bicycling, walking, hunting and wildlife viewing. 

2,082

acres

200+

species of birds

140

paved campsites

1,700

surface-acres of water

Directions

Accessing the Park

The park has only one entrance. The entrance station is located at 3720 N County Road 11-C, Loveland, CO. 

When the entrance gate is unattended, you must use the self-service kiosk, which is located just past the entrance on the right, or come to the Visitor Center/Park Headquarters to purchase passes and permits. 

    The Visitor Center is located on the west side of the park before the entrance station.

    Hours:  Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and federal and state holidays.

    The entrance station is located on the west side of the park, past the Visitor Center.

    The marina and store are located on the west side of the park, north of the entrance station. For hours and more information, see the Park Highlights page.

    The boat ramp is located by the marina on the west side of the park, north of the entrance station.

    Fees and Passes

    Daily Vehicle Pass

    Single vehicle and its occupants

    1 Day

    $10

    Individual Daily Pass

    For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks

    1 Day

    $4

    Keep Colorado Wild Pass

    DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents

    12 Months

    $29

    Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed)

    Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants

    12 Months

    $80

    Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag)

    Members of the same household

    12 Months

    $120

    Aspen Leaf Annual Pass

    Visitors 64+

    12 Months

    $70

    Centennial Pass

    Income-eligible Colorado residents

    12 Months

    $14

    Columbine Pass

    Colorado residents with disabilities

    12 Months

    $14

    Veterans License Plate

    DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates)

    Lifetime

    Free

    Independence Lifetime Pass

    Colorado resident veterans with disabilities

    Lifetime

    Free

    Blue Spruce Pass

    Colorado resident first responders with disabilities

    Lifetime

    $10

    Nature and Wildlife

    Boyd Lake offers opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife, but is best known for its diverse bird populations.

    Be on the Lookout for Birds

    Can you spot all 200+ bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).

      Birds You Might Find

      • Great Blue Heron
      • Great-horned Owl
      • White Pelican
      • Grey Catbird
      Great blue heron

      Mammals You Might Find

      • Coyote
      • Muskrat
      • Ground Squirrel
      • Red Fox
      Red fox

      Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find

      • Great Plains Toad
      • Plains Spadefoot
      • North American Racer
      • Painted Turtle
      • Bull Snake
      Toad

      Habitats and Plants at This Park

      Boyd Lake State Park has cottonwood trees, blue gramma, western wheatgrass, and a variety of native and introduced wildflowers. Diverse wetland, riparian and aquatic plant communities have become established around the reservoir and adjacent Heinricy Lake.

      Visitors walking on trail in grassy area

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      History

      Boyd Lake is most likely named after David Boyd, the first Commissioner to represent Greeley, who was active in local politics in the late 1800s.

      • 1905–1906: Boyd Lake is constructed by Burton D. Sanborn, an irrigation engineer. Before this, the site consisted of two lakes, North Basin and South Basin. 
      • 1909: The Greeley & Loveland Irrigation Company considers purchasing Boyd Lake from Sanborn, the first in a succession of attempts to purchase the lake. 
      • 1913: The Colorado Power Company, a subsidiary of the Public Service Company, purchases Boyd Lake for $125,000. 
      • 1926: Boyd Lake is sold to the Greeley & Loveland Irrigation Company for $285,000. The company has had control of the lake since then.
      • 1958–1965: The area is leased from the irrigation company by the Division of Wildlife to create a wildlife area.
      • 1963: Colorado Parks and Recreation merges with Colorado Game and Fish to become Colorado Game, Fish and Parks.
      • 1965: Boyd Lake becomes a state recreation area under Colorado Game, Fish and Parks.
      • 1972: The Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation is created and takes over the operation of Boyd Lake State Recreation Area.
      • 1978: Colorado State Parks purchases recreation surface rights and access to the water.

      Today the park encompasses 361 land acres and 1,700 water acres when at capacity. The park provides a wide variety of recreational opportunities year-round. Park visitors participate in summer activities such as swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, sailing, camping and picnicking. During the winter, hunters and ice anglers use the park.