Colorado is famous for many things – soaring peaks, desert mesas, and great skiing – but it’s not the first place you think of when considering a beach destination. However, Colorado is rife with beaches: in the mountains, the plains, and even the high desert. From soft sandy shores to gravely landscapes along remote lakes or rivers, each beach is beautiful in its own way and worthy of a visit.
Medano Creek
Best beach in the desert
Medano Creek appears like magic in the sandy expanse of Great Sand Dunes National Park. This creek, born from snowmelt flowing from the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains, exists for just a few months each year. It’s at its strongest in late spring, with water that is almost two feet deep and 50 feet wide. The fast, shallow creek flows in small waves over its sandy floor, making the soft beach ideal for wading, splashing, skim-boarding, and inner-tubing, all while enjoying views of the park’s majestic dunes, the tallest in North America.
Ridgway State Park
Best drive-up beach
Turquoise waters and breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains showcase the beaches at Ridgway State Park. This five-mile-long reservoir features several sandy areas, from a protected cove that is popular with families, to a spectacular drive-up beach that’s perfect for launching paddleboards and kayaks. Just park and paddle away for an unforgettable day outdoors.
Steamboat Lake State Park
Best alpine view beach
The beach at Steamboat Lake State Park offers picturesque views with a forest backdrop of aspen trees and stunning vistas of Hahns Peak. By mid-summer, the high elevation lake (8,100 ft) warms enough for swimming at the sandy swimmers-only beach. Additionally, other areas cater to watersports enthusiasts, including water skiing, paddleboarding, boating, and fishing. With over a thousand surface acres of water, there’s plenty of space to explore and soak up the alpine views.
Grand Lake
Best something for everyone beach
Grand Lake is the largest and deepest natural lake in Colorado. The main beach, located in its namesake town, features soft golden sand with shallow waters and is backed by a thick grassy area, making it perfect for families and picnickers. The nearby boardwalk offers distractions like ice cream, photo-ops, and souvenir shopping. The marina enables visitors to rent pontoon boats, paddle-boards, and kayaks, providing ample opportunity to explore the lake’s lesser-known coves, shores, and islands.
Boulder Reservoir
Best family-friendly beach
Just 15 minutes from downtown Boulder, Boulder Reservoir is a 700-acre man-made lake ideal for families. Its expansive sandy beach offers ample material for sandcastles, while shallow roped-off waters with lifeguards put parents at ease. Older kids and adults can also rent kayaks, paddle-boards, and sailboats. Modern facilities, including restrooms and a snack bar, enhance the experience, while the stunning mountain views amplify the appeal.
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Best dramatic view beach
Surrounded by sweeping mesas, towering volcanic spires, and secluded canyons, Blue Mesa Reservoir boasts sapphire waters. With nearly 100 miles of shoreline, this reservoir is at the heart of the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Many visit for boating and fishing, as it hosts the largest kokanee salmon and lake trout fishery in Colorado. Additionally, the winds and calm waters attract windsurfing enthusiasts. Swimming is accessible, but for those looking for a gentler entry, the beaches at Bay of Chickens, Dry Creek, and Old Highway 50 are recommended.
Devil’s Punch Bowl
Best hidden ‘beach’
A short hike outside of Aspen leads to a series of small waterfalls from the Roaring Fork River that converge into a dramatic emerald pool called the Devil’s Punch Bowl. Large boulders encircle the swimming hole, creating an ideal picnic spot deep in the forest, complemented by the sound of falling water. Thrill-seekers jump from the smooth granite walls into the chilly waters—ranging from a ten- to 25-foot plunge—but many enjoy simply taking in the beautiful hidden forest beach.
Horsetooth Reservoir
Best city beach
Stretching 6.5 miles along the western edge of Fort Collins, Horsetooth Reservoir is a popular spot for swimming and boating. The two designated swimming beaches have soft sand and protected waters, specifically ‘Sunrise’ beach, which offers spectacular views of the Dakota Hogback Ridge. Picnic tables and grills enhance the experience at both sites. Moreover, the reservoir’s marina provides speedboat rentals, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts seeking wakeboarding adventures. Anglers will also find good fishing spots, especially in the reservoir’s hidden coves.
Twin Lakes Reservoir
Best camping beach
Twin Lakes Reservoir comprises a pair of connected glacial-fed lakes that offer stunning views of Mount Evans, one of Colorado’s tallest peaks. The waters are calm and pleasantly warm in summer (65 to 75 degrees), with a shoreline covered in soft tawny sand. During the summer, families flock to its waters, filling the campgrounds with tents and RVs. While weekends can have a lively atmosphere, many come for peaceful days filled with sandcastle-making, paddleboarding, and fishing—making it a perfect beach escape in the mountains.
Jackson Lake State Park
Best beach in the plains
Jackson Lake State Park features the most popular beach in Colorado’s eastern plains—a true beacon amid a sea of fields. Fed by the South Platte River, the lake is known for its mild, shallow waters and sandy shores. Beach-goers gravitate towards the southern and western shores, where designated swim areas offer wide beaches, picnic tables, and facilities such as restrooms and showers. Others indulge in paddleboarding, jet-skiing, and exploring the waters by motorboat. Visitors can easily spend the night in RVs or camp in lakefront tents, with fire pits lighting up the night.
This article was first published Apr 5, 2021, and updated Apr 27, 2022.
