Boat and RV Storage in Berthoud: Minutes From the Water

Berthoud sits in a useful spot for people who own boats and campers. Carter Lake, Boyd Lake and the foothills are all within reach, and the town itself has grown to more than 10,000 residents, according to the Berthoud, Colorado Wikipedia page. The question most owners run into is not where to go, it is where the boat or rig lives between trips. Lockaway Storage has outdoor parking in Berthoud for boats, RVs, campers and trailers, and this post covers what is open on the water near us right now, how to prep a stored boat for a Colorado winter, and how to get a space.

At a Glance

• Lockaway Storage Gateway at 316 Basher Dr in Berthoud offers outdoor parking in 20 and 35 foot lengths for boats, RVs and trailers, plus drive-up and climate controlled units, depending on availability.
• Parking is month to month, can be rented online, and the gate opens from a Bluetooth enabled smartphone.

The Driveway Problem, Berthoud Edition

A lot of the newer neighborhoods around Berthoud have HOA rules that keep boats and trailers out of sight. Even where the rules allow it, a boat on a trailer takes over a driveway, and the garage is usually full already. A dedicated parking space solves both problems and keeps the neighbors happy.

Our outdoor spaces at Gateway sit on a fenced, well lit lot with a Bluetooth gate. Spaces come in 20 and 35 foot lengths, so measure the whole rig, including the trailer tongue and the back of the motor, and call the office with the numbers before you reserve. Our vehicle storage and parking page lists the parking options in more detail.

What Is Actually Open to Your Boat This Season

This is the part of a boat storage article that goes stale fastest, so check before you plan a trip around it.

Boating at Boyd Lake State Park is closed for the rest of 2026 because of low water, according to the park's page at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The Heron Cove ramp is closed, the marina is closed for the season, and the page says park management hopes the marina will reopen in 2027. Hand launched boats such as kayaks and paddleboards are still allowed. If your plans included Boyd Lake, look at that page again before you tow anything there.

Carter Lake is a different story. The Larimer County page on Carter Lake describes a reservoir of about three miles by one mile, southwest of Loveland and northwest of Berthoud, open year round with entrance permits. Boats have to pass an aquatic nuisance species inspection before they go in, which limits when boating is allowed. The county notes the North Boat Ramp lot often fills on summer weekends and holidays and suggests arriving before 10 am or after 4 pm for the best chance of parking. It also says Colorado Parks and Wildlife has confirmed New Zealand mudsnails in the lake, so boats leaving may need extra inspection or decontamination, and asks visitors to clean, drain and dry their gear.

Lonetree Reservoir and Berthoud Reservoir are also close to town, but we do not have ramp or boating information for them, so check the rules with the agency that manages each before you plan a launch there. The rules for each water body are different, and a quick look beats a long tow.

Why This Spot Works for Lake Weekends

Our Gateway location is on the east side of Berthoud, near I-25, and the directions on our site use the CO-60 exit and Gateway Dr. That puts the boat on the same side of town as the highway you are probably taking to the water anyway. You can hitch up, check the trailer lights and be on the road without backing out of a tight driveway.

Because Carter Lake rewards an early start, having the boat parked in a space you can reach quickly matters. If you can leave while the lot at the ramp is still open, you spend less time in line and more time on the water. When the day is done, you can drop the boat at the space on the way home, clean, drain and dry it as the county asks, and head back to the house without parking a wet trailer in the driveway.

If you live in Loveland, you can compare our Loveland location as well. The right facility is the one that fits your route to the water.

Colorado Stored Boat Rules of Thumb

Northern Colorado weather is hard on a boat that sits through the winter. The following is general guidance, and your manufacturer's manual should have the last word.

Drain the engine and the other water systems, or treat them with antifreeze, before the first hard freeze. A frozen block or line is an expensive way to find out you waited too long. Put the battery on a maintainer so it holds a charge through the cold months, or remove it and store it somewhere conditioned. Add fuel stabilizer to the tank so the fuel does not break down over the winter. Use a snow rated, fitted cover, since a loose tarp tends to pool water and tear.

Finish with the trailer. Check tire pressure before it sits, because tires lose air in the cold, and look over the bearings and lights so spring does not start with a repair. If you follow a routine like this, the boat usually starts faster in the spring and you spend your first weekend on the water, not in a shop. Our post on RV and vehicle storage near Fort Collins at our Timnath location goes further into covers, hail and seasonal timing if you want more detail.

Measuring for a 20 or 35 Foot Space

The two lengths we list are a starting point, not a promise that your rig fits, so it is worth taking a few minutes with a tape measure. For a boat on a trailer, measure from the end of the trailer tongue to the farthest point at the back, which is often the motor or the swim platform. For a travel trailer or camper, measure from the tongue or hitch to the rear bumper, including a ladder or a bike rack. Then note the height and width, since mirrors, a tower or an arch can add more than you expect.

Write the numbers down and call the office. It is much easier to match a rig to a space before you tow it over than to find out at the gate that it will not work. If you fall between the two lengths, ask about the longer space, since tight turns are no fun with a trailer.

Getting the Boat Ready in Spring

Storage works best when the first trip of the season is not a surprise. A few weeks before you plan to launch, take the cover off and look over the boat while you still have time to fix things. Check for cracked hoses or belts, test the battery, change the fluids your manual calls for and make sure the trailer lights work. Check your registration, since boats on Colorado reservoirs need to be registered through Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and confirm what permits you need at the water you plan to visit.

Doing this at the parking space, instead of at the ramp, keeps the day on the water relaxed. It also means a small problem becomes a quick errand instead of a cancelled weekend.

RVs and Campers Too

The same spaces work for travel trailers, campers and motorhomes. If your family heads to the mountains most summer weekends, parking the rig at Gateway keeps it off the street and out of the driveway. Rocky Mountain National Park's Estes Park entrance is about an hour away, which makes Berthoud a reasonable starting point for that kind of trip.

Because rentals are month to month, you can keep a rig here for a season or through the winter, whichever matches how you use it. If you are not sure whether your rig fits, our team can help you work that out before you move in.

Storage Units for the Gear

Boats and campers come with gear: life jackets, dock lines, coolers, camp chairs, kayaks and winter covers. Our drive-up units run from 5x10 up to 12x25, and the facility also has indoor climate controlled units for items that are sensitive to temperature, like electronics and bedding. Our drive-up storage page shows how that setup works, and our storage unit size guide helps you decide what size you need. Ask the team how to pair a parking space with a unit.

Reserving a Space

Availability changes, so check the live listings for Berthoud before you plan around a particular length. You can rent online, and our team can help you choose the right length if you call. Reservations are optional, but a reservation holds a specific space and rate. Ask about the current move in offers when you reserve.

You will also want to ask what paperwork you need to rent a space. Our FAQ notes that vehicles, boats, trailers and RVs may need registration, title and proof of insurance, and that insurance or a protection plan is required.

Lockaway Storage Gateway is at 316 Basher Dr in Berthoud, off Gateway Dr. Bring the measurements for your rig, rent month to month, and park it close to where you actually use it.