Residents and visitors are welcome and encouraged to pursue recreational water activities along parts of the St. Vrain Creek through Longmont. There is no charge to float along the St. Vrain Creek.

Users must provide their own float devices, such as tubes, kayaks or small non-motorized boats. Users are also encouraged to wear safety equipment, including helmets and personal flotation devices.

St. Vrain Creek Open/Closed Status

Remember that any time you enter the creek, it is at your own risk.

• The St. Vrain Creek in Longmont is open to all uses from the western City limits (at Airport Road) to Boston Avenue. This includes entering, remaining in, floating or using non-motorized watercraft.

• The creek is closed to ALL uses between South Sunset Street and the BNSF railroad bridge due to construction activity related to the Resilient St. Vrain Project. This closure applies to entering, remaining in, floating or using watercraft in this reach.

• The St. Vrain Creek east of the BNSF Railroad bridge to 119th Street is open to public use. View the Frequently Asked Questions below for more details on the float course.

The St. Vrain Greenway trail between Price Road (BNSF railroad crossing) and Izaak Walton Pond is currently closed. This section was closed to allow for utility relocation work upstream of the Boston Avenue Bridge and to allow for construction of the Izaak Walton Phase 1 of the channel improvements (Price Road to Boston Avenue). The City is working toward a contract for the Boston Avenue Bridge replacement over St. Vrain Creek; that project is expected to be 18 to 24 months and requires the closure of the trail underpass at Boston Avenue.

View a PDF of the greenway trail detour from Price Road to Sunset Street. At this point the date is not current on the trail map. The greenway trail closure is required for the Boston Avenue Bridge project and the anticipated work by the US Army Corps for the channel improvements up to Sunset Street.

As the weather starts to turn to spring, we have received more inquiries about opening that section of trail. We appreciate the public’s patience as we complete this important flood protection project.

Getting into the Water

A new float course (also referred to as a tubing course or kayak course) was created during the creek channel work on the Resilient St. Vrain project. The course is made up of nine smaller rock fall areas that help keep water (and floaters) moving downstream. This course can accommodate tubes, kayaks or small boats (non-motorized only).

Enter the float course at the designated open water access point east of Main Street. Exit the course at designated takeout points east of Martin Street or at the 119th Street trailhead. The access and takeout points are designated by signs.

See a map detailing access points and takeout points.

Outside of Longmont City Limits

Rules and regulations listed on this webpage apply to the St. Vrain Creek within Longmont City Limits (between Airport Road and 119th Street). Longmont does not make nor control the rules outside those areas.

The creek area to the west of Airport Road is regulated by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. Contact them at www.BoulderSheriff.org or 303-441-3600.

The creek area to the east of Longmont is regulated by the Weld County Sheriff's Office. Contact them at www.weldsheriff.com or 970-356-4015.

Contact

Have questions about recreational water activities in the St. Vrain Creek that are not answered by this webpage? Contact the PWNR Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays at 303-651-8416.

To report a non-emergency issue that would require Police or Fire to respond, contact the Public Safety Dispatch non-emergency number at 303-651-8501.

In case of emergency, call 911.

Frequently Asked Questions