You don't have to travel far from Denver to enjoy the beauty and adventures that can be found at Dillon Reservoir. This large, fresh water reservoir is sometimes referred to as Lake Dillon and is located in Summit County. With gorgeous mountain scenery and endless opportunities for fun on the water, you will definitely want to make Dillon Reservoir an upcoming destination.
The view of Dillon Reservoir is simply picture perfect during any season that you visit.
In the Winter, many are known to participate in snowmobiling and ice fishing in the area. Each year, the reservoir is stocked with 50,000 rainbow trout by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
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During the warmer months, this recreational lake really comes alive.
The pristine waters of the reservoir are surrounded by 26 miles of shoreline that provide many lodging opportunities for those that want to pitch a tent or park an RV.
Looking to cleanse your soul in the river or cure your ailments in healing spring waters? In the summer you can wash away your troubles in these stellar swimming holes near Denver, provided by man and Mother Nature herself. Take a dip (and chips); relax on the shoreline or the sandy "beaches," and bask in the sunshine and beauty that is Colorado. We're a truly fortunate bunch to live in the midst of such richness and vibrancy, so go out and take the plunge!
Boulder Creek is a 31.4-mile-long creek that travels through the city of Boulder, making it a hot spot to cool off on a hot day. Since a good portion of it is in the metro area, residents of the town flock to the water during spring and summer. The nearly 32-mile Boulder Creek draining the Rockies west of Boulder turns into a lively "adult" playground come summertime. It's a popular spot for taking a cool dip, tubing, fly fishing, wading...and indulging in general mirth and cheer. Bring your Chacos, your towel, and your free-wheeling attitude and have a ball!
As one of the city's largest park and open space sites, the Aurora Reservoir in the city of Aurora boasts over 800 acres of water for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating, plus a sandy beach for sunbathing. It is definitely among the best natural swimming spots near Denver. Another fun thing to do here is to check out their AWQUA Lounge to learn how the reservoir's water becomes Denver's drinking water.
With a 1,500-acre surface area and an expansive swim beach, the Chatfield Reservoir located at Chatfield State Park is a grand place to recreate or relax this summer. Swim or engage in a number of other available activities, such as boating, horseback riding, and bird watching. There are over 200 bird species here, including bald eagles, white pelicans, and burrowing owls.
At the headwaters of the Colorado River lies Grand Lake, Colorado's largest and deepest natural lake (and its namesake town). The lake is roughly a mile in length and width, with a maximum depth of 265 feet. There's a private yacht club, public boat ramps, a public dock, and publicly and privately owned marinas. And they even host sailing races. As swimming holes near Denver go, this is one of the most popular. (FYI: The Ute Tribe called it Spirit Lake and believed that departed souls dwell in its chilly waters.)
The Cache La Poudre River in Fort Collins just may boast the best, most authentic swimming holes near Denver! Rope swing into this paradise near Legacy Park or at Picnic Rock up the Poudre Canyon northwest of town. And as you can imagine, Picnic Rock has picnic tables and BBQ grills, as well as restrooms and a "beach" area. (Note: Be VERY aware of appropriate water levels, as they are often dangerously high in the spring and early summer).
Want to feel the sand between your toes while marveling at the beauty of the surrounding scenery? Head over to the Cherry Creek Reservoir to the beautiful white sand beach and take a plunge! It may not be the coast, but it's close enough for Denver.
See those lovely little turquoise pools in the Chalk Creek Canyon at the base of the surrounding Collegiate Peaks? That's the glorious Mount Princeton Hot Springs, complete with soaking pools, an exercise pool, creekside springs, and a historic Bath House that was established in 1867. If you're looking for the best natural swimming spots near Denver, this one definitely needs to be on your bucket list! Make it an overnight venture by staying in one of their many lodging options, or head into the neighboring towns of Salida and Buena Vista for more quality exploration.
On a superbly hot and sunny day, take a hike or bike at the scenic 2,711-acre Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, then cool off in the Horsetooth Reservoir
and have a leisurely lunch on the shoreline. On the South Bay, there is a great swim beach, picnic area, and facilities. It's splendid!
Even though it's a bit of a jaunt from Denver, it would be remiss of me not to mention the home of the "World's Largest Hot Springs Pool" created by Mother Nature herself - Glenwood Hot Springs. This spring has been delivering soothing, restorative waters rich in minerals to heal those who soak in them since 1888. Go take a nice long dip in Mother Nature's magical, powerful soaking sanctuary. (Fun fact: Three and a half million gallons of water still flow from the spring every day)!
This popular swimming hole at Bear Creek Lake Park with its stellar scenery, sandy swim beach, and a 400-foot lap swimming lane is a great place to savor a day with friends and family this summer. Also on site is a playground for kids, volleyball courts, a concession stand, and boat rentals that include canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and paddle boards. You can even wakeboard or waterski! Yippee!
Do you agree these are some of the best natural places for swimming near Denver? Want to share your secret places to swim in Denver with the rest of us Mile Highers? We'd love to hear about them in the comments!
If you're looking for other great things to do in the Denver area, be sure to check out these 8 free outdoor activities.
We all know how swelteringly hot (but, thank goodness, not humid) it can get in the Mile High City in the summertime, and one way to beat the heat is to find open water. Some of us prefer to hike to secluded alpine lakes, while others may simply want to loll about on the reservoir. Either way, here are 10 of the best lakes near Denver that you just have to see this summer. Read on to learn more about these gorgeous destinations in Colorado.
In the Ten Mile Range just south of Breckenridge are the glorious Crystal Lakes. You can hike or drive only the roughly 2.5 miles to Lower Crystal Lake which rests at 11,959', and then continue to Upper Crystal, which is nestled 1.9 miles further, in a cirque below three 13,000-foot peaks. And keep your eye out for moose, elk, marmots, and pikas along the way!
This strenuous 10-mile hike in Rocky Mountain National Park will lead you through alpine forests and scenic valleys to a quiet and secluded bowl high in the mountains. There you can rest beside Andrew's Tarn below its namesake glacier, one of the most beautiful lakes near Denver, and ease your feet and your mind.
Lower Cataract Lake near Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir is the perfect spot for a family picnic and an easy, scenic 2.3-mile loop around the lake. As one of the most scenic lakes around Denver, Colorado, this spot is gorgeous to hike in the fall too.
Off Peru Creek Road in the White River National Forest near Keystone, lies the Chihuahua Gulch Trail, which is 7 miles roundtrip and offers inspiring views of the popular fourteeners, Grays and Torreys. The reward of lounging by one of the best lakes near Denver at 12,251' is well worth the effort it takes to get there!
As soon as you take a look, you'll understand why this is one of the most stunning lakes in Denver. The loop hike begins here at the Bear Lake Trailhead at 9,475' with breathtaking views of Half Mountain resting just in front of Longs Peak. Don't you agree?
Proceed past Haiyaha, and you will arrive at Dream Lake. From its eastern shore, enjoy views of Hallett Peak at 12,713' and Flattop Mountain at 12,324' when you visit this beautiful lake near Denver.
From Dream Lake, double back and make your way just .5 miles to Nymph Lake, which is known for its lovely lily pads and glimpses of Longs Peak along the trail. Return to Bear Lake to end your wonderful water-filled hike and perhaps drink in a sunset.
For a total change of pace (and if strenuous hikes and secluded alpine lakes are not your cup of tea), Aurora Reservoir is a great option for you. There are still plenty of leisure activities to enjoy at one of the best lakes near Denver, such as swimming, biking, boating, and canoeing, but all you HAVE to do is drive and park it.
Sticking to the theme of social open waters, Boulder Reservoir is just begging for you to go kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, or beaching. (And again, expect fun but not necessarily solitude.)
So, what do think of this list of lakes around Denver, Colorado that we put together? Should others be added to this list? Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the following comments section. If you're looking for more outdoor activities to do on a warm day, take a look at these hikes near Denver too.
