I got myself a foldable kayak and have been in search of metro Denver spots to take it out. So far I like Chatfield reservoir at Chatfield State Park, especially late in the season when it’s not busy! It’s about a 40 minute drive from Denver if you can be clever and avoid traffic peaks.
Portage spots
So far I’ve launched from two spots in the south (no wake zone) end of the reservoir: Fox Run and Kingfisher.
Restrooms: Both have pit toilets
Parking: Both have two rows of spots, medium lots, gravel.
Launch: Both have sandy (with some rocks) beaches you can launch from. Neither have any docks or structured launch facilities. Both lots are pretty close to the launch spots (Kingfisher about 100 feet, Fox Run about 150).
Water: Fox Run has the bonus of a water spigot which is handy for refilling bottles and rinsing off gear before packing up.
Things to see: Both are near some wooded sections where you can explore and look for birds. Kingfisher has the bonus easy access to the Platte River by passing under the bridge. This was a nice scenery change from the wide open reservoir.
What to bring: I brought a dry bag that I clip to the boat for my keys and cell phone. About halfway through I wished I had a PB&J sandwich to enjoy while coasting.
I brought my camera with a longish lens to enjoy some of the birds from a covert distance. Difficult to get good shots while on a drifting boat, but cool to see them closer. Binoculars would be good too.
Action shots
Kayak
If you’re curious, the kayak I got is an Oru Kayak, Inlet.
I opted for a collapsible kayak because I don’t have a garage for storage, and like being able to haul it inside my car. I opted for this instead of inflatable because I wanted to make sure the bottom was solid and I wouldn’t sink down into the kayak over time.
This option is way more expensive than an inflatable option (even though I bought it during a sale), but so far I really like it. It’s also pretty quick and easy to set up, and no noisy air pump. They’ve put some thought into how people will use and transport it.
Additional accessories I’ve bought include a paddling floatation vest, paddle grips (I was getting blisters), and a tether to tie my paddle to the kayak (my worst fear is dropping my paddle and it sinking while I’m in the middle of a lake).
ROAD TRIP 