Christmas and New Years Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 26 and January 1.
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 campsites
1,700
surface-acres of water
Accessing the Park
Directions
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.
For more information on the boat ramp and mandatory boat inspections, see the Park Highlights page.
Closures & Conditions
Boating and Boat Ramps
All boat ramps are closed for the season.
Boyd Lake is closed to all forms of boating, including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards, on Dec.1 of each year.
Boating will be reopened when all ice is gone from the lake.
Amenities
Bathrooms open to the public in the winter months include the marina family bathroom and one vault toilet on the north end of the park.
Ice Conditions
Ice conditions can change rapidly. Please use caution when ice fishing and remember to inform a friend/family member of your return time, wear a flotation device, and carry ice awls/pick and a length of rope.
There is NO FISHING on the docks at the Marina at any time.
Find more ice fishing information under the Boating and Fishing > Fishing > Ice Conditions paragraph found on the Park Highlights page.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
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 |
Colorado residents 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.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides are available on Boyd Lake State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
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
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- Coyote
- Muskrat
- Ground squirrel
- Red fox
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Great Plains toad
- Plains spadefoot
- North American racer
- Painted turtle
- Bull snake
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into Boyd Lake State Park's iNaturalist app, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
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
Jan
1
First Day Hike at Boyd Lake State Park
Thursday, Jan 1
Boyd Lake State Park
Join us for a guided hike through our Heinricy Nature Trail! Explore some of the human and more-than-human history of your local...
Jan
1
First Day Hike at Boyd Lake State Park
Thursday, Jan 1
Boyd Lake State Park
Join us for a guided hike through our Heinricy Nature Trail! Explore some of the human and more-than-human history of your local...
Jan
1
First Day Hike at Boyd Lake State Park
Thursday, Jan 1
Boyd Lake State Park
Join us for a guided hike through our Heinricy Nature Trail! Explore some of the human and more-than-human history of your local...
Jan
1
First Day Hike at Boyd Lake State Park
Thursday, Jan 1
Boyd Lake State Park
Join us for a guided hike through our Heinricy Nature Trail! Explore some of the human and more-than-human history of your local...
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.