So you’re wanting to know what Colorado’s stand-up paddleboarding craze is all about, affectionately shortened to SUP. We’ve got some ideal spots in mind.

We realize “ideal” has different meaning for different people. Some might want to try some gentle water close to their home city. Others might want to add SUP to their next trip to the mountains, and others might have preferences between lakes and rivers.

We’ll try to cover some different bases here. Before you go, make sure you’re up to speed on rules, regulations and fees that vary across jurisdictions.

Bear Creek Lake Park

Many a SUP-ing Denverite head to Cherry Creek Reservoir and Sloan’s Lake. The benefit to this Lakewood park is two-fold: It’s home to Soda Lake and the larger Bear Creek Lake. No motorized vessels on Soda Lake means you as a first-timer don’t have to worry about wakes. Small engines are allowed on Bear Creek Lake, meaning it won’t be much of a step up, and you get a different view.

Evergreen Lake

The boat house has offered rentals over the years to onlookers easily captivated by the SUP scene here in the hills beyond Denver. There has been yoga on paddleboards along with sunrise and full moon programs. It’s a lake free of gas engines — meaning more tranquility amid the tranquil, forested scene.

Rampart Reservoir

Prospect and Quail lakes are the popular spots close to downtown Colorado Springs. Emphasis on “popular.” High in the national forest west of town, Rampart Reservoir also gets busy and, unlike Prospect and Quail, motor boats are allowed here. But at least there’s a lot more room to roam. And you can’t beat the view of Pikes Peak.

Vallecito Lake

For being one of Colorado’s biggest bodies of water, Vallecito Lake tends to hide from popular view. Don’t miss it on your next trip to Durango. About 20 miles northeast of town, the lake is serviced by Vallecito Marina, which has rented paddleboards for a quiet, unforgettable experience under the high peaks of Weminuche Wilderness.

Arkansas River’s Milk Run section

So you’ve got your balance down and you’re looking to graduate to the river. Near Buena Vista, this is considered a good bet — as long as you go later in the season to ensure nothing more than a Class II rapid will be your biggest obstacle. You might take an hour from the Johnson Village put-in to Fisherman’s Bridge near Riverside Grill for a victory beer.

Slate River

Folks around Crested Butte will tell you this is not the place to try SUP. Go to Lake Irwin for that. But if you’ve got your legs under you, and if the Slate is in its typical, calm state, this could be the river that makes you fall deeper in love with the sport. It meanders 20 miles through the magical Gunnison Valley, with typical launch points at Gunsight Bridge and the Rec Path Bridge. Be aware of section closures for blue heron from March 15-July 15.