Grimwith Reservoir is located near Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire, within the Yorkshire Dales. Water sports including kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding are not permitted for independent paddlers. Access is restricted to members of clubs or organisations that have a formal agreement in place with Yorkshire Water, the reservoir's operator. The Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club (YDSC) is the primary club operating at the site and offers kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding alongside sailing and windsurfing.

For those paddling through YDSC, launching and landing is permitted only in front of the club grounds. All craft used at the reservoir, including kayaks, canoes, and SUPs, must be covered by third-party insurance of at least £3,000,000. The club notes that the reservoir's high elevation makes it particularly exposed to strong winds, and conditions may not always be suitable for inexperienced beginners. Kite surfing, wild swimming, and diving are not permitted.

Yorkshire Water highlights several safety concerns relevant to all reservoir users: the presence of machinery, strong currents, blue-green algae, and the risk of cold-water shock, which can occur even on warm days. Paddlers and visitors are advised not to swim.

The reservoir sits amid rolling hills and moorland, with wetland areas and a nature reserve forming part of the surrounding landscape. Two rivers, Blea Gill and Gate up Gill, feed into the reservoir. The surrounding area supports abundant wildlife and wildflowers, particularly in spring and summer.

A free car park is available at postcode BD23 5ED, adjacent to the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club just off the B6265. Toilet facilities, including a disabled toilet, and a picnic area are available on site. A bus service also serves the location. The Check Clean Dry protocol is relevant for all paddlers arriving at and departing from the reservoir, given the risk of spreading invasive non-native species via equipment and clothing.