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Where to sail in our region:

If you're wondering about "why" to sail, or "if",  you should, click here.

Some sailing venues in Colorado, (western) Nebraska, New Mexico, & Wyoming

Contrary to common belief, there are many lakes for sailing in our four-state region. Here's a list of those most commonly sailed. Be prepared for changeable wind & weather -- from dead calm to honking in seconds, wind-shifts of 360 degrees.

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Alcova,  Aurora,  Blue_Mesa, Bowmar,   Carter,  Chatfield,  Cherry_Creek,   Dillon,  Elephant_Butte,  Glendo, Granby,  Grand,  Heron,   Horsetooth,  McConaughy,   Pueblo,  Ridgeway,  Ruedi,  Soda,   Standley,  Steamboat,  Union,  Wellington

  • Lake Alcova: A ruggedly beautiful lake 30 miles southwest of Casper  in the Wyoming Rockies off highway 220. Its deep blue waters are framed by red granite cliffs, dotted with green spruce & pines. Alcova is famous for its "big air"; 40+ knot gusts are common in the late afternoons. The Casper Boat Club features a full-service dining room.
    Launching: Ramp & hoist operated by Casper Boat Club
    Diagram of lake & racing area {JPEG image}
    Find Alcova: {MapQuest link}
    View picture {JPEG image}

  • Aurora Reservoir: No internal combustion motors allowed, a prairie lake. Operated by City of Aurora.
    Launching: Ramp only
    Diagram of lake
    Find Aurora
    View picture
  • Blue Mesa Reservoir: Colorado's largest body of water, at more than 20 miles long, with 96 miles of shoreline and almost 42,000 acres of water. It is located on the Gunnison River at 38°28′13.08″N, 107°13'.44″W, 15 miles west of Gunnison, CO on US Hwy 50 in the Curecanti National Recreation Area.  Marinas are at Elk Creek and Lake Fork. Sailing lessons are available and local sailors are reportedly forming a sailing club.
    Launching:
    Diagram of lake
    Find Blue Mesa
    View picture
  • Bowmar: A private lake serving a residential neighborhood in the southwestern Denver metro area. Permission may be required, check first.
    Launching:
    Diagram of lake
    Find Bowmar
    View picture
  • Carter Lake: In the foothills a few miles west of Berthoud, Colorado. Lake was emptied for dam repairs in mid-summer 2007; these are expected to be complete and the lake re-filled by June 2008.
    Launching: The commercial marina operates a launch ramp at the northern end of the lake. Carter Lake Sailing Club operates another launch ramp on the west side. Larimer County park, entry fee required.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Carter
    View picture

  • Chatfield Reservoir: On the South Platte River in the southwest Denver metro area. Within Chatfield State Park, entry fee required.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Colorado Sail & Yacht Club conducts Wednesday night races and two annual regattas here.
    Launching: Ramp only. Most sailboats use ramp near the marina on western side of lake.
    Find Chatfield
    View picture
  • Cherry Creek Reservoir: 800 acres of sailing in the midst of Denver's urban metropolis. Look past the high-rise office buildings of the Denver Tech Center to the magnificent Rockies in the west.  Within Cherry Creek State Park, entry fee required. Cherry Creek Marina provides slips, boating services and some supplies; this is the operations base for most sailing activities.
    Denver Sailing Association, conducts Wednesday (keelboats) & Thursday (dinghies + Santana 20s) night racing every season from May through September and holds 4-5 weekend regattas here, in addition to an April "Thawout" & a September/October "Frostbite" series.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Launching: Public launch ramps on eastern & western sides of lake. The marina operates a two-ton hoist and a small ramp on the western side, north of the public ramp.
    Find Cherry Creek
    View picture
  • Lake Dillon: Big, beautiful, & historic -- Lake Dillon, 60 miles west of Denver, serves as  primary  water storage for Denver (The water's piped under the Continental Divide via the Roberts Tunnel.) but its more important job is entertaining sailors. No swimming; remember, Dillon's water was recently snow.  It boasts the nation's highest yacht club, Dillon Yacht Club, at 9,017 feet. DYC hosts the largest regatta in the Rockies, the Dillon Open, each year in early August and weekend races from June through September.
    Launching: Hoist and ramp near Dillon Marina; there's also a marina & ramp at Frisco Bay. Both are full-service marinas.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Dillon: For the Dillon facilities, leave I-70 at exit 205  & proceed west on Hwy 6 to Lake Dillon Drive; turn left at end of street to Dillon Marina sign; right down the hill to parking lot &/or ramp. For the Frisco facilities, leave I-70 at exit 203 & proceed south; turn left at Frisco's Main Street to enter marina.
    View picture
  • Elephant Butte: Near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Primary venue for Rio Grande Sailing Club
    Launching:
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Elephant Butte
    View picture
  • Glendo Reservoir: A Wyoming lake favored by Hobies and other multi-hull sailors.
    Launching:
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find  Glendo
    View picture
  • Lake Granby: Located between the towns of  Granby & Grand Lake. Operated by Forest Service
    Launching: Ramp on northwest side of lake
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Granby
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  • Grand Lake: Historic Grand Lake Yacht Club boasts "the world's highest yacht anchorage". If you're nice to them, they may show you their Lipton Cup, donated by Sir Thomas himself.
    Launching: By permission
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Grand Lake
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  • Lake Heron: In northwestern New Mexico, just south of the Colorado border. The New Mexico Sailing Club's pristine marina consists of 235 much sought-after slips and buoys, plus guest docks and support facilities. The nearest Colorado city is Pagosa Springs, and principal routes are Highways 84 and 17 from the north, and 84 and 64 from the south. Just north of the historic town of Tierra Amarillo, turn off Highway 84 west toward Heron Lake on Highway 95. The first right after entry into Heron Lake State Park provides access to the marina. Continuing on Highway 95, the next right, past the State Park information center, leads to the boat ramp and mast-raising pole.

    Ice and beverages are available in Chama and Tierra Amarillo, or at the Heron Store at the entrance to the Park. There is no water or electricity at the marina; among other sources, fresh water is available at the information center or other Park facilities (which include showers). With an overnight permit from "self help" stations around the lake, trailers and vehicles may be parked at the ramp or in parking areas near the marina. Cook aboard, grill meals on the Club's dock, or drive to restaurants in the Stone House Lodge, Tierra Amarillo or Chama.

    The lake's elevation is approximately 8,000'; its surface area is about 5 by 3 miles. It is a "no wake" lake, without jet skis or speedboats. Always cool at night, evening thunderstorms are common in late summer. Bring a fly rod if anchoring out in one of many protected coves. Visiting sailors, and in particular, visiting racers, are welcome, and all races are "open".

    Launching: Ramp
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Heron
    View picture
  • Horsetooth Reservoir: West of Fort Collins, CO. Lake was emptied several years ago for dam repairs (now completed) and re-filled.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Launching:
    Find Horsetooth
    View picture
  • Lake McConaughy: Major venue of Ogallala Yacht Club & home of the Nebraska Governor's Cup Regatta. Lake level has been down for several years, due to drought in the North Platte River Basin.
    Launching: Keelboat launch ramp on southeast end of lake no longer extends to water. Dinghy launching from beach.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find McConaughey
    View picture
  • Pueblo Reservoir: In a steep Arkansas River canyon to the west of Pueblo, Colorado. High cliffs to  the north & south limit wind-shifts. Colorado State Park, Entry fee required. It is now the major venue of the new  Liberty Point Yacht Club,  which will hold regattas there beginning in April and October 2008.
    Launching: North Shore marina has a ramp. The South Shore marina is the Club's operational base.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Pueblo
    View picture
  • Ridgway: A scenic mountain lake and superb sailing venue of about 1,000 acres of water, Ridgway Reservoir State Park is located between the towns of Ouray and Montrose, Colorado in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains. .
    Diagram of lake
    Find Ridgway
    View picture
     
  • Ruedi Reservoir:   Located in the mountainous and beautiful Frying Pan Wilderness on the Frying Pan River. Follow Frying Pan Road north of Basalt, Colorado,  18.5 miles. Major venue for Aspen Yacht Club, which occupies Benedict Bay, a small scenic cove in the middle of the 3 mile long lake.
    Launching: Public ramp at northwest end of lake. Ramp also operated by Aspen Yacht Club on north side.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Ruedi
    View picture
  • Soda Lakes: On the west side of Denver; operated by the City of Westminster, Colorado, entry fee required.. Sunfish & other small dinghies are ideal for Soda Lake. Within Bear Creek Park, entry fee required.
    Launching: From the beach.
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find  Soda Lake
    View picture
  • Standley Lake: On the northwest side of Denver, operated by the City of Westminster, Colorado, entry fee required..
    Launching: Ramp only
    One of three operational bases for the learn-to-sail programs of Community Sailing of Colorado. (The others are Cherry Creek & Bowmar.)
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Standley
    View picture
  • Steamboat Lake: North of Steamboat Springs, CO, near Hahn's Peak.
    Launching:
    Diagram of lake
    Find Steamboat Lake
    View picture

  • Union Reservoir: A wake-less lake, perfect for dinghies and small catamarans. Entry fee required. The primary venue of Union Sailing Club
    Launching: Ramp on south side of lake
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Union: Interstate 25 to CO 119, west to Weld Co. Rd 1E, north to Co. Rd. 26, east to park entrance on north.
    View picture
  • Wellington Lake: A private lake. The Windrider trimaran class has an annual regatta here.
    Launching:
    Diagram of lake & racing area
    Find Wellington
    View picture
  • x: Add your favorite lake here: Give us a description
    Launching: Description
    Diagram of lake & racing area {JPEG image}
    Find x {MapQuest link}
    View picture {JPEG image}

    • Search
    Alcova  Aurora  Bowmar   Carter  Chatfield  Cherry_Creek   Dillon  Elephant_Butte  Glendo Granby  Grand  Heron   Horsetooth  McConaughy   Pueblo  Ruedi  Soda   Standley  Steamboat  Union  Wellington

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