Colorado has more than a dozen lakes that are perfectly suited for kayaking and canoeing along the Front Range, in the mountain areas and on the Western Slope. Good bets are Bear Creek Reservoir, Blue Mountain Reservoir and Tarryall Reservoir.
As for rivers, the Colorado, Platte and Arkansas have stretches that provide challenges aplenty and miles on which to maneuver.
Rafting companies oftentimes also rent kayaks, and many of the marinas at the state’s reservoirs and lakes rent canoes.