Tubing, Kayaking and Non-Motorized Boating
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 vessels which can include paddle boards, tubes, rafts, kayaks or small non-motorized boats. Helmets are recommended. It is also recommended that any inflatable devices be multi-chambered and built to withstand rougher waters. All such vessels must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, properly fitting and serviceable lifejacket (also called a Personal Floatation Device or PFD) on board for every passenger. Lifejackets are also required for paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized boats. Children under 13 must always wear a lifejacket when on the water.
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 is closed to allow for construction of the Izaak Walton Reach 2
The greenway trail closure is required for the work by the US Army Corps for the channel improvements up to Sunset Street. View a PDF of the greenway trail detour from Price Road to Sunset Street. 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 bouldercounty.gov/safety/sheriff/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.
