Best Whitewater Play Parks in Colorado

Now that winter is over we have to look elsewhere for our fun. Colorado has some great play and surf parks for kayaks. I used to spend a lot of time on the Kern River so I have a good idea what makes a good park.

I learned to Kayak from Tom Johnson at the Kern River. I was able to kayak with him from time to time for many years. Many paddlers consider him one of the foundational figures of modern whitewater kayaking because his teaching, coaching, and boat designs influenced generations of boaters.

Tom Johnson was a California paddler, coach, designer, and inventor who helped transform whitewater kayaking in the 1970s. Before his innovations, most whitewater kayaks were fiberglass and easily damaged on rocks. Johnson worked with Hollowform to develop the first commercially successful rotomolded polyethylene whitewater kayak, the River Chaser. These durable plastic boats made difficult rivers more accessible and dramatically changed the sport.

If you're looking specifically for freestyle/playboating features (waves, holes, and surf spots), these are some the most popular:

Top Colorado Play Parks

1. Buena Vista River Park

• On the Arkansas River.

• Multiple play features spread along roughly a mile of river.

• Good for everyone from beginners to advanced freestyle paddlers.

• Often considered one of the premier whitewater play parks in the Rockies.

2. Glenwood Whitewater Park

• Home of the famous "G-Wave" on the Colorado River.

• One of the best river-surfing and playboating features in the state.

• Usually active from spring through fall, depending on flows.

3. Clear Creek White Water Park

• Closest major play park to the Denver metro area.

• Multiple features on Clear Creek in Golden.

• Excellent after-work option for Front Range paddlers.

• Can get crowded with tubers during peak summer weekends.

4. Salida Whitewater Park

• Another Arkansas River favorite.

• Scout Wave is especially popular with surfers and playboaters.

• Often paired with Buena Vista for weekend trips.

5. River Run Park

• Urban play park on the South Platte.

• Multiple drops and surfable features.

• Runs at relatively low flows and is very convenient for Denver paddlers.

6. Vail Whitewater Park

• On Gore Creek in Vail Village.

• Great spring and early-summer playboating.

• Hosts whitewater events during the Summer Mountain Games.

7. Poudre River Whitewater Park

• Best Front Range option north of Denver.

• Features waves and drops suitable for kayaking, SUP, tubing, and river surfing.

• Convenient access from Fort Collins.