Swimming Holes in Colorado
156 natural swimming holes
Colorado has 156 natural swimming holes in our directory — lakes, rivers, springs scattered from the backcountry to roadside favorites. Favorites include Paradise Cove (Guffey Gorge), Juniper Hot Springs, North Fork South Platte (Pine Valley Ranch). Every listing includes location details, fees, reservation info, and safety notes where known. Conditions change with weather and seasons, so always verify before you go.
All Colorado swimming holes
- Arkansas River (Buena Vista)
- Arkansas River (Salida Riverside Park)
- Chatfield Reservoir swim beach
- Horsetooth Reservoir (South Bay)
- Juniper Hot Springs
- North Fork South Platte (Pine Valley Ranch)
- Paradise Cove (Guffey Gorge)
- South Platte River (Confluence Park)
- Alta Lakes
- Animas River Whitewater Park (Durango)
- Aurora Reservoir swim beach
- Avalanche Ranch Hot Springs
- Bear Creek (Lair o' the Bear Park)
- Bear Creek Falls
- Bear Creek Lake
- Big Thompson River (Viestenz-Smith Park)
- Blue Creek (West Elks)
- Blue Lake (Sangre de Cristo)
- Blue Lakes (Mount Sneffels)
- Blue Mesa Reservoir
- Booth Falls
- Boulder Creek (Eben G. Fine Park)
- Boulder Reservoir
- Boyd Lake
- Brush Hollow Reservoir
- Capitol Lake
- Carter Lake swim beach
- Cascade Creek (Durango)
- Cherry Creek Reservoir swim beach
- Chicago Lakes
- Clear Creek Reservoir
- Clear Creek Whitewater Park (Golden)
- Colorado River (Pumphouse)
- Colorado River (Rancho del Rio)
- Colorado River State Park at Fruita
- Columbine Lake
- Conejos River
- Conundrum Hot Springs
- Cottonwood Hot Springs
- Cottonwood Lake
- Crater Lake (Maroon Bells)
- Crawford Reservoir
- Crystal River at Marble
- Devil's Punchbowl (Eagle)
- Dolores River
- Dolores River (Bradfield)
- Eagle River (Eagle)
- Echo Park
- Eleven Mile Reservoir
- Elkhead Reservoir
- Emerald Lake
- Fish Creek Falls
- Florida River
- Gates of Lodore
- Georgetown Lake
- Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park
- Grand Lake
- Green Mountain Reservoir
- Grizzly Creek
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Gunnison River Whitewater Park
- Harvey Gap Reservoir
- Haviland Lake
- Hecla Junction
- Helen Hunt Falls
- Henson Creek
- Highland Mary Lakes
- Highline Lake
- Hortense Hot Springs
- Ice Lake
- Island Lake (RMNP)
- Island Lake (San Juan Mountains)
- Jackson Lake
- Jefferson Lake
- John Martin Reservoir
- Joyful Journey Hot Springs
- Jumbo Reservoir
- Kenney Reservoir
- Lake Granby
- Lake Irwin
- Lake Isabel
- Lake San Cristobal
- Lathrop State Park (Martin Lake)
- Legacy Park (Poudre River)
- Lemon Reservoir
- McPhee Reservoir
- Medano Creek
- Mesa Lakes
- Monarch Lake
- Mount Princeton creekside hot springs
- Navajo Lake (Lizard Head)
- Navajo Reservoir
- Needle Creek
- North Sterling Reservoir
- Oh Be Joyful Creek
- Orvis Hot Springs
- Paonia Reservoir
- Pearl Lake
- Penny Hot Springs
- Picnic Rock (Poudre River)
- Piedra River Hot Springs
- Piney Lake
- Platoro Reservoir
- Plum Creek
- Poncha Hot Springs
- Poudre River Whitewater Park
- Pueblo Reservoir (Rock Canyon)
- Pueblo Whitewater Park
- Radium Hot Springs
- Rainbow Hot Springs
- Ridgway Reservoir
- Rifle Falls State Park
- Rifle Gap Reservoir
- Rio Grande (Creede)
- Rio Grande (Del Norte)
- Roaring Fork River (Basalt)
- Ruedi Reservoir
- San Juan River at Pagosa Springs
- San Miguel River
- Sanchez Reservoir
- Sandbeach Lake
- Shadow Mountain Reservoir
- Slate River
- Smith Reservoir
- Snowmass Lake
- South Canyon Hot Springs
- South Crestone Lake
- South Platte River (Deckers)
- St. Mary's Glacier lake
- St. Vrain River (Lyons)
- Stagecoach Reservoir
- Steamboat Lake
- Strawberry Park Hot Springs
- Sweitzer Lake
- Sylvan Lake
- Tarryall Creek
- Tarryall Reservoir
- Taylor River
- Thomas Lakes
- Trappers Lake
- Trinidad Lake
- Turquoise Lake
- Twin Lakes
- Vallecito Reservoir
- Valley View Hot Springs
- Vega Reservoir
- Watson Lake (Poudre River)
- White River at Meeker
- Wiesbaden Hot Springs
- Williams Fork Reservoir
- Willow Creek Reservoir
- Willow Lake (Sangre de Cristo)
- Wolford Mountain Reservoir
- Woods Lake
- Yampa River (Steamboat Springs)
- Zapata Falls
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of swimming holes does Colorado have?
Our directory lists 156 swimming holes in Colorado: 83 lakes, 36 rivers, and 17 springs. Every listing shows its water type, location, fees, and safety notes so you can pick the right one.
When is the best time to visit swimming holes in Colorado?
The most commonly listed season across our Colorado spots is june-september (73 of 156 spots). Late spring through early fall is generally prime swimming season — spring runoff can make rivers and creeks dangerously high, so check local conditions.
Do Colorado swimming holes require reservations?
Yes — 1 of the 156 Colorado spots in our directory list a reservation requirement. Book those ahead, especially on summer weekends, and check the official park link on each listing before you go.
Are Colorado swimming holes free?
Some are — 77 of the 156 Colorado spots in our directory report free entry. State parks and popular preserves often charge a day-use or parking fee; each listing shows reported fee info where known.
Are natural swimming holes in Colorado safe?
Natural water has real risks: no lifeguards, submerged rocks, strong currents, and cold water. Never dive headfirst, check depth, and supervise children closely. Spots with known hazards carry safety flags on their listing.
Swimming holes by town
- Swimming Holes in Durango
- Swimming Holes in Buena Vista
- Swimming Holes in Crested Butte
- Swimming Holes in Fort Collins
- Swimming Holes in Pagosa Springs
- Swimming Holes in Silverton
- Swimming Holes in Aspen
- Swimming Holes in Estes Park
- Swimming Holes in Glenwood Springs
- Swimming Holes in Granby
- Swimming Holes in Kremmling
- Swimming Holes in Lake George
- Swimming Holes in Loveland
- Swimming Holes in Ridgway
- Swimming Holes in Rifle
- Swimming Holes in Salida
- Swimming Holes in Steamboat Springs
- Swimming Holes in Telluride