By RMHP
The weather is starting to heat up in Colorado! And nothing screams, “It’s summer!” quite like going for a swim in a refreshing body of water.
If you’re looking for a Colorado swimming spot, you’re in luck. Here are four of our favorite lakes, creeks, and coves to cool off in.
Let’s kick things off with a visit to the Western Slope. At 20 miles long and 96 miles of shoreline, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest lake in Colorado.
You can rent boats at one of the marinas, go windsurf, fish, lounge on a beach, take a swim, and whatever other water activities you can dream up.
One way to enjoy the Blue Mesa Reservoir and the surrounding area is to use Gunnison and Montrose as your base camp towns. The drive west along U.S. 50 will have you struggling to keep your eyes on the road and not on the stunning scenery.
Hot springs aren’t just for winter. They’re great fun all year long. You might be familiar with more well-known spots like Glenwood Springs, but that’s hardly the only option in the area. The next time you find yourself near Glenwood take a half hour to drive toward nearby Carbondale.
Off Highway 133, you’ll find the natural Penny Hot Springs (on the east side of the highway, a bit north of mile marker 5). Enjoy a soak in one of the warmer pools, or jump right into the river. There’s a temperature for every preference in these waters.
There are two swimming holes by the same name in Colorado, but this one is near Aspen, and it’s perfect for adventurous swimmers who want to practice their cliff diving.
There are two jumps, one 18 feet high and another 30 feet high. If you do decide to give jumping a try, exercise extreme caution. Ask others where the deepest spots are, watch a few people jump, and only jump if you feel completely comfortable. Otherwise, just go for a swim — it’s a beautiful spot for a dip, even without the cliff jumping.
Boulder Creek might not have the untouched natural splendor of our other mentions, but it’s still a great place to cool off during the summer. Eben G. Fine Park is a lovely spot to start, but your best bet is to wander away from the crowds that congregate there.
Take a casual stroll along the creek path until you find the perfect spot to hang your hammock and dip your feet into the water. Is there a more perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon?
Which swimming hole will you visit first this year? Did we miss your favorite spot on our round-up? This list doesn’t even begin to cover all of the swimming holes in Colorado, so start the conversation in the comments!