Brainard Lake Recreation Area
One of the most accessible alpine lakes on the Front Range — literally steps from the parking lot — though
Swimming Holes
Wellington Lake
A serene 167-acre lake near the small town of Bailey along US-285, popular for canoeing, swimming, and quiet mountain scenery.
Bear Creek Lake Park (Big Soda Lake)
A close-to-Denver lake within Bear Creek Lake Park offering a classic beach-day setup without a long drive.
Aurora Reservoir
One of Aurora’s largest park and open-space sites, with a sandy beach for swimming/sunbathing and an on-site education center about
Cherry Creek Reservoir (Cherry Creek State Park)
A convenient, calm-water reservoir swim beach within the Denver metro area itself — one of the most accessible options without
Chatfield Reservoir (Chatfield State Park)
A 1,500-acre reservoir just south of Denver popular for swimming, boating, and birdwatching (200+ species recorded) — note a fatality
Boyd Lake State Park
A full-service reservoir just over an hour north of Denver with a designated swim beach, marina, and nearby camping.
Boulder Reservoir
‘The Rez’ to locals — a sandy-beach reservoir with a dedicated, LIFEGUARDED swim area (unusual for this region), concessions, and
Boulder Creek (Eben G. Fine Park / Boulder)
One of the most popular tubing spots near Denver, flowing right through downtown Boulder — fun and easy to reach,
Umpqua Hot Springs
A series of natural, terraced hot spring pools overlooking the North Umpqua River — a warm-soak destination rather than a