Denver is the capital city of Colorado in the United States. It’s an incredible city to visit with lots of things to do. For example, the museums in Denver are great and Downtown Denver is lovely. If you want to have a relaxing beach day, then Denver is also a great city to be! There’s no ocean or sea, but there are lakes and reservoirs with lovely beaches.
Many people head to the Denver area in the winter months for skiing and snow sports. Summer travel is usually reserved for shopping and other kinds of experiences. However, there are also lots of great beach locations that you can enjoy while you are traveling in Denver. Being able to access a swimming beach or a sandy beach for sunbathing is easier than you might think. This list of beaches near Denver can be ideal for those who are visiting in the warmer months of the year and who would like to enjoy some fun in the sun or a day sitting at picnic tables and enjoying the good weather.
You might be wondering why you should visit Denver’s beaches when there are so many other beach destinations to choose from. The truth is, Denver’s beaches offer a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. For one, they’re located in some of the most beautiful parks and nature reserves in the country. Plus, you can enjoy a wide range of water activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. And let’s not forget about the stunning views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance.
1. Chatfield State Park, Denver
This beach in Denver is among the most popular destinations in metro Denver. You can bask in Colorado’s warm rays and have a spectacular view of the Denver’s Rocky Mountain foothills here. This famous beach in Denver is also a great park that offers campsites just a short walk away from Chatfield Reservoir. You can even enjoy wildlife sightings of deer, elk, and birds during summers in Denver, while hot air balloons dot the sky in the morning as the warm air becomes perfect for all the sky sporting in the clear sky of Denver. There is a well-equipped facility for hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails at this must-visit beach in Denver.
Chatfield State Park is about 45 minutes from Denver in the opposite direction of Boulder—southwest, in the city of Littleton. Chatfield Park is popular with locals who are looking for a little more than just hiking and swimming. Here you can find popular water sports like skiing, kayaking, and fishing, but you can also find hot air ballooning and horseback riding.
2. Cherry Creek Park
Cherry Creek Park is a scenic oasis just 20 minutes by car from the Denver city center. Within the park, you will find a stunning and SANDY beach! It’s the perfect place to swim, suntan, or have a beach picnic. Additionally, the park rents out equipment for a range of different water activities. I’m talking boats, jet skis, stand-up paddle boards, and more. So no matter what type of beach-goer you are, you’re sure to have fun here.
But this park is so much more than only a great swimming destination. It is also the perfect place for outdoor lovers. The park is over 4000 acres of awesome hiking, biking, bird watching, camping, and more. Not to mention the breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. A must visit!
The beach serves as a picturesque backdrop for witnessing boats gracefully maneuver across the lake, a spectacle best enjoyed while children build sandcastles nearby.
3. Blue Mesa Reservoir
Meet Colorado’s largest body of water. Blue Mesa Reservoir, located in Gunnison County near the Gunnison River, was created thanks to the Blue Mesa Dam, a nearly 400-foot dam that was constructed in the 1960s and created the largest lake that is entirely within Colorado. The reservoir was created from the Gunnison River, which is also responsible for sculpting the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
It also happens to be home to some of the best beaches in Colorado, which is not surprising considering it has nearly 100 miles of shoreline. The reservoir itself is 29 miles long, which lends itself to long, leisurely boat rides; kitesurfing; or paddleboard sessions. It also features some pretty impressive views of mesas and volcanic spires. A lot of the shoreline is rocky, but the best beaches on the lake are found at the Bay of Chickens, Dry Creek, and Old Highway 50.Blue Mesa Reservoir, as well as two other lakes, are part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The area is best known for its salmon and trout fishing, as well as hiking, boating, and camping.
4. Soda Lake Beach
At Big Soda Lake, you find a lovely beach, the Soda Lake Beach. This is a beach that is a very popular spot! You find here a very wide but short beach, which is great! It looks very beautiful. Furthermore, there is a lot of nature next to the beach, and it is a very scenic place. Another great aspect of the beach is that there is a beach volleyball field next to the beach. This makes going here an even more fun experience! It’s one of the best beaches in the city if you want to be active! Getting here from the city center of Denver takes about 25 minutes. The total distance is about 18 miles (or 29 kilometers).
Swimming is a prime activity, with the lake being a no-motor zone, ensuring safety for families and paddlers alike. Its shores offer more than just a place to dip toes, boasting picnic sites, a playground, and two sand volleyball courts. Watersport enthusiasts can take advantage of paddleboarding, canoeing, and kayaking, with life vests freely available for all children. Propane grills are welcome for those wishing to cook up a beachside feast, but personal charcoal grills are to be left at home.
5. Jackson Lake State Park
The South Platte River feeds this lake, and you will be surprised at the size of the shore here. This is one of the most picturesque beaches in Denver and also one of the most popular lakes for camping and water sports. It can get busy here in the summer months, but you will have lots of space to spread out and enjoy your own little section of the beach if you arrive early in the day. The sparkling water and the various eateries and other amenities make this beach area a must-visit for travelers.
If you want to camp during your trip to Denver, this is one of the beaches in Denver which allows camping along with all the other cool things you can do and see. The Shoreline Marina is a short walk from most of the camping sites, and you can count on cold drinks, good food, and some essentials that can be purchased here to make your day more comfortable.
You can rent some basic water sports equipment here, but boat rentals will not be offered. Boat tours might be possible if you call in advance or arrange with a tour company. These types of charters are ideal for playing in the water offshore or to enjoy something like water skiing. The lake water level can fluctuate a lot in the summer, and mosquitos can be a concern. Be sure that you have mosquito spray just in case these little pests make an appearance at the end of the day.
6. Boulder Reservoir Beach
Boulder Reservoir Beach is a hidden gem located just 45 minutes northwest of Denver. The beach is situated on the edge of a large reservoir, and there are plenty of water activities to enjoy, including swimming, boating, and paddleboarding. The beach is clean and well-maintained, and there are plenty of picnic areas and shade trees to enjoy. Boulder Reservoir Beach is a popular destination for outdoor recreation located in Boulder, Colorado, about 30 miles northwest of Denver. The reservoir is a large body of water that offers visitors opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, and sunbathing.
The beach area at Boulder Reservoir is a designated swim beach with a large sandy area for visitors to enjoy. The beach is supervised by trained lifeguards during peak season to ensure safety. There are also a variety of amenities available to visitors, including picnic areas, a playground, and restrooms. Boulder Reservoir Beach is a popular spot for families, as well as outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy the sun and water. With its many amenities and recreational opportunities, it’s a great place to spend a day or weekend in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado.
7. Medano Creek
Great Sand Dunes National Park is one of the highlights of Colorado. And if you happen to make the visit, be sure to pack a bathing suit because where there’s sand (often) means beach follows — even in this unlikely location. Thanks to snowmelt from the Sangre de Cristo mountains, rivers flow down to the dunes and create beautiful natural beaches in the process. The beach at Medano Creek is one of the best beaches in Colorado. The best time to visit the beach is when the river is experiencing “surge flow,” which is when snowmelt is at its peak (typically in the spring). This creates a churning (but safe) wave pool, which is always fun for taking a dip.
Just remember that the river is highly dependent on snowmelt, so don’t expect to have the same experience twice. The river also tends to dry up by the end of summer, so you’ll have to time your visit just right. Peak season is between May and June, which is when the water is at its highest. Bring an inner tube because the floating conditions are superb.
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