Colorado may be landlocked but that doesn’t mean the state doesn’t boast some sandy and scenic beaches. A Colorado beach is a sandy oasis on a lake’s shore. The summer heat warms up the water to make these spots a perfect place to swim and lounge. This summer, head to one of these 10 must visit Colorado beaches to cool off and chill out.
Jackson Lake State Park
Located in Jackson Lake State Park, this Colorado beach offers an oasis in eastern Colorado. The lake itself is fed from the South Platte River and is a great destination for swimmers, water skiers, boaters and sunbathers. There are two swimming beaches with clear shallow waters, which means the water warms up to a perfect swimming temperature. Also, there is a lot of sand area for sand castle building and playing frisbee.
Chatfield State Park
Get a great view of the Rockies while relaxing on this Colorado beach at Chatfield State Park. This beach destination is a great park that even offers campsites just a short walk away from Chatfield Reservoir. During the summer, wildlife sightings of deer, elk and birds are common, while hot air balloons dot the sky in the morning. The sandy beach is a great place to rest but there are also hiking, biking and horseback riding trails to please your adventurous side.
Grand Lake
Grand Lake is Colorado’s largest natural lake. This sandy Colorado beach at Grand Lake has a boardwalk and picnic tables. The beach is frequented by swimmers, kayakers and fishermen. After enjoying the sandy shore, rent a boat to explore this massive high alpine lake from a different perspective. Grand Lake is located right outside of Rocky Mountain National Park, making it a perfect multi-day vacation spot.
Boulder Reservoir
Just minutes from downtown Boulder is Boulder Reservoir. The reservoir has a spacious beach that is always littered with locals and tourists during the summer months. From the beach, Colorado’s mountains are in the background, making for a very scenic beach day. Boulder Reservoir does have a lifeguard on duty at the swim beach as well as facilities such as showers and restrooms.
Medano Creek, Great Sand Dunes National Park
Inside Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to the tallest sand dunes in North America, is Medano Creek, which is a wide and shallow river that emerges every spring. This unconventional Colorado beach is the only beach on this list that is actually a river beach, not a lake beach. The Medano Creek disappears in late August, so the fun here has a quick season. Swimming, skimboarding and building sand castles are the most popular activities to do around this gorgeous oasis.
Ridgway State Park
Head to Ridgway State Park in the San Juan Mountains to find a large and sandy beach that has calm and warm waters during the summer. This beach is perfect for families. There is a playground for kids, and a grassy area complete with picnic tables and grills. Do keep in mind that there are locker rooms and outdoor showers at this Colorado beach.
Cherry Creek State Park
Cherry Creek State Park offers a Colorado beach that is very close to downtown Denver. The sandy beach is a great spot to lounge or swim. And there are grills near by and lots of trees to hide away from Colorado’s gorgeous sunshine. Cherry Creek State Park makes for a perfect weekend getaway since there are lots of places to camp.
Rock Canyon Swim Beach Area, Lake Pueblo State Park
There are six acres of sandy Colorado Beach at Lake Pueblo State Park. At the designated swim area catch views of the Greenhorn and Wet mountain ranges. Near the beach are grills, showers, restrooms and a picnic pavilion.
Steamboat Lake State Park
For a sandy Colorado beach getaway, head to one of the highest beaches in Colorado at Steamboat Lake State Park. At 8,000 feet, you wouldn’t expect the water to be swimmable but during the summer the water temperature is perfect for a dip.
Dillon Reservior
This sandy Colorado beach at Dillon Reservoir, also known as Lake Dillon, is the perfect destination during the summer months. There are 25 miles of shoreline surrounding Lake Dillon that provide incredible views of the Rockies. Visitors to this reservoir not only enjoy relaxing at the beach but also canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
