![]() Dogs are welcome too, but must be kept on a leash. There are also 22 hiking trails that are great for mountain biking, running, walking and more. Visitors can choose from two full-service marinas and a wide array of campsites. The main recreation activities include hiking, biking, picnicking, sailing, motor-boating, waterskiing, tubing, and fishing. The lake is stocked with local species of fish like bass, catfish, crappie, rainbow trout, and walley.įees for camping or using the facilities start at $22 per night but annual passes can be purchased for $80. The most popular spot is the beach and swim area which allows for swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking. The Reservoir is a 700-acre lake and Recreation Area available for boating, swimming, fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and more. This man made lake is located about 7 miles northeast of Boulder, near Gunbarrel. Boulder Reservoirīoulder Reservoir is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado for many reasons. ![]() There is also a limited the number of hikers allowed on the trail in order to protect the delicate ecosystem. Just be sure to get there early, as the trail gets crowded quickly. But with a seriously epic payoff, Hanging Lake is definitely worth a visit. The 1.2 mile trail is steep, rocky, and considered a challenging hike. It is also one of the most popular hiking destinations in the state but is not for the faint of heart. And the minerals in the water create a perfect environment for moss and other plants to grow on the nearby cliffs. The water that feeds the lake comes from underground springs. One of the coolest things about this lake is that it looks like a hanging garden, thus the name Hanging Lake. The water is so clear that you can see all the way to the bottom, and there are waterfalls cascading down the cliffs into the lake. In addition to the stunning turquoise color, the lake is surrounded by lush greenery and towering cliffs. It features the most unusual green water color due to the minerals in the water. Hanging Lake in Colorado is a stunningly beautiful lake that is located in Glenwood Canyon. So, bring your hiking boots and swimming gear to enjoy a day at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Grand Lake has over 60 miles of surface water and is Colorado’s largest and deepest natural lake.īy subscribing, I consent to receiving emails. In the summer months, you can even visit Estes Park from Grand Lake via Trail Ridge Road, which is the highest paved road in America. In fact, Grand Lake Rocky Mountain National Park surrounds the lake on three sides and serves as the western gateway to the Rockies. Grand Lake sits at 8,369 feet above sea level and is located in the town of Grand Lake, near Rocky Mountain National Park. In this guide, we are sharing the top most beautiful lakes in Colorado for fishing, boating, camping, and swimming. Most Colorado lakes offer access to hiking, sunbathing and swimming beaches, picnic tables, and camping! Whether it’s jet skiing, sailing, or just a good old fashion dip into the water, Colorado is home to more than 4,000 bodies of water, both natural and manmade.Īnd many of the lakes and reservoirs are within a short drive from Denver or Colorado Springs, and make excellent day trips.Īnd it’s not just for summertime! Several lakes in Colorado offer ice-fishing and ice-skating during the winter.īeyond water activities, there are also loads of things to do nearby. When we left at 9:45 am, people were parked over a mile down HWY 285 on both sides of the road and the traffic was a crawl for what I would estimate as being the last 10 miles on 285.This website may contain affiliate links and we may be compensated (at no cost to you!).Ĭhoosing the best lakes in Colorado to visit throughout the year is no easy task.ĭespite Colorado being the 6th driest state in the country, the state has some spectacular lakes and reservoirs to visit on a hot summer day. ![]() The West parking lot was already full, there was space in the East lot and the road leading to the restrooms was starting to fill up. We left Littleton at 5:40 am, got there about 7am and we were not even close to the first ones there. Also, this goes without saying but get there early if you're not a huge fan of traffic. All trails I have done are out and back so keep that in mind. I think both the West and East side are beautiful, when we went this year we hiked the Colorado trail on the East side, there are some beautiful openings on this trail, the first about a 1/2 mile in and the next probably 1 mile further. Other than going to Aspen, this is the most beautiful collections of Aspens I have ever seen. But, this is the place to go in the fall for the Aspens. We hike fairly often, so I would not call any of these trails a "hike" they are all mostly flat, and there are no switch-backs making this easy for any ability level. ![]()
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