 Whether you are looking to take the family on a rafting trip down a high-country river, try your hand at windsurfing or find someplace for a swim, one of the 17 national forests and seven national grasslands within the Rocky Mountain Region will have a water activities experience that is just right for you.
Follow these general guidelines to help ensure that your Water Activities experience in your national forest or grassland will be a safe and memorable one:
- Responsible Water Activities weblinks: Click to go directly to weblinks
- Make a realistic plan and stick to it. Always tell someone of your recreation plans!
- When using any type of watercraft, be safe and use a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (also known as a life preserver)
- Please consult state boating regulations carefully before you go out on the water since regulations may vary from state to state and on different watercraft:
- In response to the threats posed by Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS), like zebra and Quagga mussels, all boats and other floating devices of any kind including their content, motors, trailers and other associated equipment are subject to inspections for any of the nasty exotic invasive species identified as Aquatic Nuisance Species prior to launch or departure from state waters.
- Before and after a trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Remove all plant material from watercraft, motor, trailer and other gear and dispose on dry land in a garbage container. Drain livewells, bilge water and transom wells at the boat launch prior to leaving.
- On water, stay on designated waterways and launch watercraft in designated areas
- On land, travel responsibly by staying on designated trails or areas
- Please respect private landowners and don't trespass on private property
- Check the weather forecast for your destination and plan clothing, equipment and supplies accordingly
- When you are out on the water, know your limitations. Apply sunscreen, drink lots of water, and watch your energy level.
- Carry a compass or a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and know how to use it
- Obtain a map of the area you will be participating in water activities and, if possible, obtain a trail sheet from the local Ranger District office to help with land and water navigation
- Obtain a map or chart of your destination and determine which areas are open to your type of travel and recreation
- All water users should follow the ideals of Leave No Trace and practice the concept of Pack It In - Pack It Out.
For more detailed guidelines regarding responsible summer recreation on US Forest Service lands, please check out the Tread Lightly! information below:
- Motorized Boating – Tread Lightly!'s Tips for Responsible Motorized Boating brochure:
- Personal Watercraft – Tread Lightly!'s Tips for Responsible Personal Watercraft Use brochure:
- Responsible Recreation – Tread Lightly!'s Responsible Recreation Tips brochure:
- Sharing Our Trails – Tread Lightly!'s Responsible Recreation Tips brochure:
- Sharing Our Water – Tread Lightly!'s Responsible Recreation Tips brochure:
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Regional Water Activities Information Map
 The Rocky Mountain Region map below can be used as a starting place to find information regarding water activities opportunities on US Forest Service lands located throughout our five-state region. When you move the cursor over the state you want to enjoy water activities in, a filled-in map outline and tool tip will appear. Click on the map outline to view that state's water activities information map in a new window. Repeat the same process with the state map as with this map and you will be able to select the individual national forest or grassland that you would like water activities information about.
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