Chatfield Lake
17 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods.
Outdoors
Boating and kayaking near Castle Rock
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near Castle Rock for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
15places to boat and paddle
17 mito the closest
7within 30 miles
May–Septemberbest months
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
Closest picks
Cherry Creek Lake
19 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100…
Lone Rock Campground (Co)
22 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service
Lone Rock Campground, located along the South Platte River, boasts spectacular views and top-notch fly fishing waters. Hikers thoroughly enjoy the nearby Gill Trail and kayakers are drawn to the rapids of the rushing river.
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Within 30 miles (7)
Chatfield Lake
Chatfield Dam, located southwest of Denver on the South Platte River, was the second of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Cherry Creek Lake
Cherry Creek Dam, located at the southeast edge of Denver in Aurora, CO, was the first of the three dams to be built to protect the Denver region from catastrophic South Platte River floodwaters that plagued the area for more than 100…
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Lone Rock Campground (Co)
Lone Rock Campground, located along the South Platte River, boasts spectacular views and top-notch fly fishing waters. Hikers thoroughly enjoy the nearby Gill Trail and kayakers are drawn to the rapids of the rushing river.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Bear Creek Lake
Bear Creek Dam, the last of three dams built to protect the Denver region from floods, is located on the southwest edge of suburban Lakewood at the confluence of Bear Creek and Turkey Creek.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Colorado Campground
Colorado Campground is a favorite family destination near Manitou Lake Picnic Area north of the town of Woodland Park. A short trail leads to the lovely lake, where visitors enjoy fishing, bird watching and canoeing.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Manitou Lake Pavilion
Manitou Lake Picnic Area, is located 7 miles north of Woodland Park, Colorado,. The Manitou Lake Pavilion is located inside the picnic area and is a wonderful group day use picnic area for groups up to 50 people.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
Painted Rocks
Painted Rocks Campground is located a short distance from Manitou Lake Picnic Area and the Centennial Bike Trail in central Colorado.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
30 to 75 miles (3)
Carter Reservoir (Carter Lake)
Developments include 5 campgrounds with 151 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps. A concession-operated public marina located at the north end of the lake (970.667.1062).
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Pinewood Lake
Pinewood Lake is located about 12 miles southwest of Loveland, Colorado. The Lake and Dam are a small part of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , one of the largest and most complex ever constructed by Reclamation.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Peaks to Prairies - Tracks to Trails Pike and San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands ( forest locator map ) cover nearly 3 million acres, between the prairies of western Kansas and some of Colorado's…
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
75 miles and farther (5)
Lake Estes
Lake Estes, a feature of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project , is formed by Olympus Dam constructed across the Big Thompson River.
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Lake Granby
Granby Dam and Lake Granby, features of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project are on the Colorado River near Granby, Colorado. Developments include 260 campsites and 3 boat-launch ramps.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Pueblo Reservoir
Recreation at Pueblo Reservoir is managed by the Colorado State Parks under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Eastern Colorado Area Office, Loveland, Colorado.Pueblo Reservoir was created by Pueblo Dam which crosses the Arkansas…
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fish Hatchery
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Picnicking
Shadow Mountain Lake
Shadow Mountain Dam and Reservoir, Colorado-Big Thompson Project , are on the Colorado River below its confluence with the Grand Lake outlet. Developments include 1 campground with 80 campsites and 2 boat-launch ramps. Good access exists.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Willow Creek Reservoir
Willow Creek, a tributary on the Colorado River near Granby, Colorado, is diverted by Willow Creek Dam and Canal, features of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Castle Rock. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Castle Rock
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Hiking up to the Rock
The short climb in Rock Park toward the butte that gives the town its name, with views over downtown. A Short shared by Espi Agency | Colorado Real Estate.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Challenge Hill at Philip S. Miller Park
Climbing Challenge Hill, the steep staircase nicknamed the miniature incline, at Philip S. Miller Park. A Short shared by DadandAshton.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Castle Rock
Questions
Where is the closest place for boating & paddling near Castle Rock?
Chatfield Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 17 miles northwest of Castle Rock as the crow flies. Next are Cherry Creek Lake (19 mi) and Lone Rock Campground (Co) (22 mi).
When is the best time for boating & paddling near Castle Rock?
Based on Castle Rock’s average highs, May–September. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Reclamation, USDA Forest Service, US Army Corps of Engineers. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.