🏄‍♂️🏕️ Horsetooth SUP Paddle Exploration

Let’s take a full-day journey from Denver to Northern Colorado to explore Horsetooth Reservoir and determine whether it would be a good location for a future SUP paddle-in camping adventure!
This will be more than an ordinary paddling event. Our purpose is to enjoy the journey, explore the reservoir in different directions, view potential paddle-in camping areas from the water, and discuss the equipment and planning we would need for a future overnight SUP adventure.
We will begin by arranging carpools from Denver and meeting at Buc-ee’s in Johnstown at 10:30 AM. We will eat breakfast, purchase snacks, and fuel our bodies for the paddle ahead. We will then travel together to Horsetooth Reservoir, spend several hours exploring the water and possible camping routes, and finish the day with drinks, food, and conversation at New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins before returning to Denver.
This is a day trip only. We will not camp overnight during this event.
🚗 Carpooling From Denver
Participants traveling from Denver are encouraged to arrange carpools in the event comments. Please comment if you can drive or if you need a ride.
There will not be an official Denver departure location. The entire group will meet at Buc-ee’s at 10:30 AM.
🍳 Meeting and Breakfast at Buc-ee’s
Buc-ee’s
5201 Nugget Road
Johnstown, Colorado
You do not need to eat breakfast before arriving because we will eat at Buc-ee’s, use the restrooms, purchase snacks, and fuel our bodies for the paddle ahead.
Buc-ee’s offers many breakfast and road-trip food choices, so everyone can select and purchase their own meal. Please eat before arriving if you have dietary or medical needs that require an earlier meal.
🎟️ Entrance and Parking Permit
A $10 entrance permit is required for each vehicle entering Horsetooth Reservoir. No additional permit is required for a non-trailered SUP, kayak, or canoe carried on or inside a vehicle.
Permit prices and requirements may change. Please review the official information before the event:
Horsetooth Reservoir Entrance Permits
🧥 October Cold-Water Preparation
October water at Horsetooth Reservoir can be cold. A wetsuit, drysuit, neoprene layers, paddling jacket, water shoes, gloves, or other appropriate cold-water protection is strongly recommended.
Everyone must wear a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD and carry a whistle while paddling. SUP paddlers should also use an appropriate leash.
🏞️🏕️ Exploring Horsetooth Reservoir and Paddle-In Campsites
Horsetooth Reservoir is a 6.5-mile-long reservoir located in the foothills west of Fort Collins. It offers paddling, camping, hiking, and beautiful views of the surrounding rocky landscape.
Horsetooth Reservoir has designated paddle-in campsites along the western side of the reservoir. These campsites must be reserved before camping and are accessible from the water.
Our goal is to explore the reservoir from a paddle-in camping perspective. We will pay attention to:

• Suitable SUP launch locations
• Distance from the launch to paddle-in campsites
• Shoreline and landing conditions
• Areas protected from wind and motorized traffic
• Potential rest locations
• Campsite access from the water
• Routes suitable for loaded touring paddleboards
• Locations of restrooms and drinking water
• Parking and equipment-unloading options

This exploration trip will help us decide whether Horsetooth Reservoir is suitable for a future overnight SUP paddle-in camping Meetup.
Horsetooth Reservoir Paddle-In Campsite Map and Rules:
View the official campsite map
🌊 Our Exploration Paddle
We plan to begin near the Inlet Bay area, which provides access to the western portion of the reservoir and possible paddle-in camping areas.
Inlet Bay Marina and Launch Parking
4314 Shoreline Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Open the Inlet Bay location in Google Maps
After arriving, we will unload our SUPs, prepare our equipment, review the map, and hold a short safety briefing. We expect to launch at approximately 12:30 PM.
The exact route and distance will depend on the wind, waves, water temperature, motorized traffic, and abilities of the group. We may explore in different directions, but we will stay together and adjust the route if conditions become unsafe.
🍺 New Belgium After the Paddle
After exploring Horsetooth Reservoir, we will pack our equipment and travel to:
New Belgium Brewing Company
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO 80524
We will relax, enjoy food and drinks, and discuss a future SUP paddle-in camping trip. New Belgium is optional
🌦️ Weather and Safety
This event depends on safe weather and water conditions. October weather can change quickly, and Horsetooth Reservoir may experience strong wind, waves, cold temperatures, rain, or snow.
The launch location, route, distance, schedule, or event date may change if conditions are unsafe. Please monitor the Meetup page and event comments for updates.