Paddle Boarding Soda Lake at Bear Creek Lake Park
Are you thinking about visiting the most popular lake near Denver to SUP this summer? This is definitely one of the best paddle boarding spots in the Denver area, but there are some things you should know before you go.
Bear Creek Lake is a must on your Colorado summer bucket list. Why? It’s a prime hub for all things outdoors like hiking, biking,camping, boating, and fishing. Learn about all the things to do at Bear Creek Lake here.
Located just off of 470 in Lakewood, CO, Bear Creek Lake is a desirable summer destination for outdoor activities due to its proximity to Denver and other nearby suburbs like Morrison, Littleton, and Golden.
If you haven’t heard of it, I guarantee you’ve probably seen it if you’ve ever driven on 470 south towards Red Rocks Amphitheater.
It’s the perfect lake to paddle board at because it’s relatively small with waters that are not very choppy and easy to navigate. It’s a safer option compared to other nearby lakes because if it get’s windy you won’t get stuck out in the middle of a giant lake (like Chatfield). To mitigate risks, always wear a life jacket since paddle boards are typically not that stable and it’s easy to fall off.
Pros:
Here are some things I love about Soda Lake.
Swimming is allowed. It’s hard to find a good lake you can actually swim at in Colorado. At Soda Lake, not only is swimming allowed, they have a sand beach and designated swim area, making it a great place to cool off on a hot day.
Rentals are available. You can rent paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes with Rocky Mountain Paddleboard which is conveniently located at the Soda Lake beach.
Clean water. The water at Soda Lake is crystal clear and a beautiful turquoise color. The surrounding area is also gorgeous and you can see Red Rocks Amphitheater from the lake.
Conveniently located. This park is easy to get to if you live in Denver or the surrounding area since it’s right off of C-470.
Cons:
Below are some negative aspects to take into account before you visit Soda Lake.
Crowded. Because this park is so popular, it can be VERY crowded on the weekend with beach availability being very limited.
Small parking lot. Parking can be difficult and you may have to walk a bit to the beach or boat ramp if the beach parking lot is full. Get there early or after the crowds have left.
It’s not a state park. Your state park pass is not valid here and you have to pay a $15 entrance fee per vehicle on the weekend or $10 on a weekday.
My Review
Overall, I really enjoyed paddling at Soda Lake. It was really easy to get to from Golden and the lake itself was beautiful. However, the crowd was a turn off for me personally. I think in the future I will go here after work on a weekday or very early on the weekend to avoid the parking chaos and people. But don’t get me wrong, paddle boarding is a must do outdoor activity at Soda Lake if you haven’t done so yet this summer, just make sure you time it right to avoid tons of people.
