As high as the Colorado Rocky Mountains are said to make visitors, the state is speckled with an array of shimmering, swimmable beaches that are just as enticing — particularly on a hot summer’s day. Whether you need a place to cool off after a long and arduous hike or you just want to pretend you’ve taken a more tropical getaway, here are the most popular Colorado beaches.
Top Beaches in Colorado
Colorado Beaches
Steamboat Lake State Park
Tucked into the beautiful boundaries of Steamboat Lake State Park just outside of Steamboat Springs, this beach certainly won’t make you feel like you’ve been transported to the ocean. Still, given its epic view of Hahn’s Peak and the lush surrounding greenery, you might like it even better. A marina and boat ramp make it easy to take to the waves.
Landside, the park is well-known for its hiking trails, built to satisfy folks of a variety of fitness levels. You’ll also love the stunning colors that bedeck the area come fall.
Things to do near Steamboat Lake State Park
Only half an hour north of the popular mountain resort town, Steamboat Springs, this state park is close to other worthy wildernesses like the vast Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests.
Grand Lake
Bearing the distinction of being the largest and deepest lake in the state of Colorado, Grand Lake certainly lives up to its name. It also makes for a grand beach day. A soft stretch of sand offers access to cerulean waters, all on a backdrop of rolling green hills and surrounding mountains. What’s more, Grand Lake Beach offers an active marina, so it’s easy to launch your watercraft if you’re interested. There’s even an ice cream stand closeby — talk about the perfect summer destination!
Things to do near Grand Lake
Located not far at all from Denver as the crow flies, Grand Lake makes for an excellent weekend getaway for city-dwellers. It is also immediately adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park, which you could easily spend a lifetime exploring. Here are some nearby campgrounds to call home base!
Boulder Reservoir
Boulder is known for its delightful mix of outdoorsy and urban adventure opportunities, and the Boulder Reservoir is no exception. The beach along this 700-acre man made lake is populated by lifeguard stands, making it an excellent choice for families hoping to be extra safe on their vacation. While you while away your afternoon along the sand or cool off with a quick dip, you’ll be surrounded by the stunning Boulder foothills the whole time. There are also occasionally organized activities, including stand-up paddleboard yoga classes.
Things to do near Boulder Reservoir
Less than 15 minutes from the heart of Boulder, this beach is a standout for its ease of access. This is not only true for Boulderites, but also from Coloradans in Denver, Golden, Aurora and other metro areas. Other area wildernesses like St. Vrain State Park and Eldorado Canyon State Park offer more outdoor recreation opportunities. Here are some local campgrounds.
Aurora Reservoir
Another beach day option close to the beating heart of Colorado’s biggest metropole, the Aurora Reservoir is only 45 minutes or so southeast of Denver. Its location is probably why it’s such a popular beach. Well, that and the stunning white sands that line the shore of the reservoir, which measures a stunning 31,650 acres and is home to turtles, crabs, and other friendly critters.
Along with the lake itself, this area offers a great 8-mile paved bike path and educational, entertaining nature center landside. There truly is something for everyone in the family!
Things to do near Aurora Reservoir
As its name suggests, this beautiful lake is just outside of the city of Aurora. This city is a stone’s throw from other urban communities like Golden, Littleton, Thornton, and Denver itself. Good news: there are plenty of excellent campgrounds to stay in!
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Grand Lake may be the largest naturally occurring lake in Colorado, but if you include man made bodies of water, the Blue Mesa Reservoir takes the cake. Almost 20 miles in length and nearly 15 square miles in area, Blue Mesa is one of three reservoirs linked by the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The waters, perpetually cool thanks to the elevation and surroundings, make for an excellent place to cool off. While much of the long shoreline is rocky, there are some softer, more inviting swimming holes at the Bay of Chickens, Dry Creek, and Old Highway 50 beaches.
Things to do near Blue Mesa Reservoir
Located in the stunning wilderness of west-central Colorado, Blue Mesa Reservoir isn’t very close to any major cities. That said, it is only an hour or so from the hidden gem that is Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Other area preserves worth checking out include Crawford State Park and Ridgway State Park, which we’ll be coming back to in just a minute.
Rock Canyon Swim Beach
Lake Pueblo State Park is well known as one of the premier getaway destinations in Colorado. After all, not every preserved wilderness boasts 4,600 acres of water surrounded by 10,000 acres of land. Given how much water this park calls its own, it’s no surprise that it’s got some excellent beachsides. Perhaps the most popular and inviting of these is is Rock Canyon Swim Beach.
The soft sands make this beach the perfect place to sunbathe or swim, and amenities like picnic pavilions, grills, restrooms, and more make this an easy place to get away from it all with the whole family. Watersports are all popular here as well, and it’s also considered one of the best fishing destinations in the state.
Things to do near Rock Canyon Swim Beach
Just west of the city of Pueblo, this state park is tucked into the stunning desert area of south-central Colorado. There are plenty of nearby campgrounds to choose from.
Medano Creek
This one’s a special opportunity — because it’s temporary! Medano Creek is a natural beach that forms only when the snow in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains melt into the riverbed at the base of Great Sand Dunes National Park. This generally happens in late May or early June, and offers visitors the opportunity to go surfing, skimboarding, and floating, but it only lasts for a short while. If you’re the achievement unlocked type, this one should definitely be on your bucket list.
Things to do near Medano Creek
The south-central Coloradan desert may be dry, but it’s teeming with adventure opportunities. Medano Creek — and the national park it’s a part of — are closest to the cities of Alamosa, Trinidad, and Pueblo. There are also other nearby wildernesses like the San Luis State Wildlife Area and Lathrop State Park.
Ridgway State Park Beach
The westernmost state park in Colorado, Ridgeway State Park offers a scenic swimming beach that’s surrounded on all sides by incredible mountain views. The soft sands found here are friendly for little feet and also great for building sand castles out of.
The park also offers more than 14 miles of hiking trails. Furthermore, the park is open year-round for outdoor adventure opportunities like biking, camping, swimming, fishing, and more.
Things to do near Ridgway State Park Beach
This state park is in the scenic southwestern portion of Colorado, known for its unique combination of desert and mountain landscapes and must-visit destinations like Mesa Verde National Park. It is about equidistant from Grand Junction and Durango.
The Best Colorado Beaches for RVers
Chatfield Reservoir
Chatfield State Park is easily one of the most popular such parks in all of Colorado. Although the Chatfield Reservoir isn’t the only reason for its popularity, it’s a big one. Its long shoreline and stunning view of the surrounding Rockies make this a common getaway for Denverites looking to escape the city’s hustle-bustle. Its waters are used by many different water sports enthusiasts, from kayakers and fisherfolk to stand-up paddleboarders and jet skiers.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
Besides playing host to an amazing lake, this state park also boasts a well-appointed campground. All of its nearly 200 campsites are within walking distance of the shore. You can’t beat that kind of location!
Things to do near Chatfield Reservoir
Tucked on the south end of the Denver area, Chatfield State Park is also within an easy drive of other preserved wildernesses such as Staunton State Park, Roxborough State Park, and Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Jackson Lake State Park
You may have also heard this one referred to as “the oasis of the plains,” and for good reason. Jackson Lake State Park offers the perfect family-friendly beach getaway. It offers powdery soft sands that are gentle on eager little feet. The park also offers showers and restrooms closeby to the beachfront, and bonfire pits so you can extend your beach day into the evening hours. The waters are shallow and, at least in the summertime, warm enough for even the smallest swimmers.
Why This Beach is Perfect for RVers
Landside, the park also offers camping accommodations, making it easy to park your RV onsite. Hiking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities give you even more fun things to do during your visit.
Things to do near Jackson Lake State Park
Located northeast of Denver, Jackson Lake State Park is only about an hour and a half from Fort Collins, though it sometimes feels way further out there.
Planning an RV Trip to Colorado
Planning an RV trip is the perfect way to see all the beaches Colorado has to offer. Make sure to visit the best state parks and campgrounds while you’re there. You’ll also love Colorado’s biggest and most popular cities, as well as the national parks that call this state home:
