If you’ve been itching to get your paddleboard, kayak, windsurfing board, or canoe out on the water, you’ll have more opportunities to do so this summer. Rueter-Hess Reservoir is now open for water recreation.
The Reservoir will be open for non-motorized water activities and fishing from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday into late October, depending on the weather. The entrance to the Reservoir is off Hess Road in Parker, about 4.75 miles east of Interstate 25.
Parking is $10 per vehicle. Due to parking and fishing limitations, reservations are required.
Know Before You Go:
- Only kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, windsurfing boards, and inflatable stand-up paddleboards are allowed. All watercraft will be inspected on-site for invasive species.
- Life jackets are required for all and must be worn at all times.
- A limited number of stand-up paddleboards and kayaks can be rented through an on-site vendor; rental includes a life jacket.
- Parking is a 5-10-minute walk from the shoreline. Be prepared to inflate your watercraft, at least partially, before getting to the water.
- Dogs are allowed in some areas, but not in the water or near the shoreline.
- No glass bottles or alcohol are allowed.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE
In addition to water recreation, visitors can hike the Incline Challenge, featuring 132 steps, and the one-mile Rosie Rueter Trail loop. The incline offers 232 feet of elevation and a spectacular view of Longs Peak to the north and Pikes Peak to the south.
The Incline Challenge is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Reservations are not required for the Incline Challenge and trails.
Learn more about recreation at Rueter-Hess at www.douglas.co.us/rueter-hess-recreation/activities.
