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
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
Navigate to:
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 campgrounds
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.
The main boat ramp is located by the marina on the west side of the park, north of the entrance station.
The Heron Cove (north) boat ramp is located on the northwest side of the park before the north no-wake area. Only jet skis and sailboats are allowed at this ramp.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc. |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
1 Year |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Year |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
1 Year |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Visitors 64+ |
1 Year |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
1 Year |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
1 Year |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
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
Mammals You Might Find
- Coyote
- Muskrat
- Ground Squirrel
- Red Fox
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Great Plains Toad
- Plains Spadefoot
- North American Racer
- Painted Turtle
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.
Upcoming Events
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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.