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Nothing beats the heat like a sun-splashed swimming hole — the perfect place to take in Colorado’s most dazzling landscapes and revel in the best of season with all of your favorite people. Find out what makes summer on our lakes and waterways so special by following a water-activity-focused itinerary featuring some of the state’s best swimming holes and a handful of other favorite warm-weather pastimes.

Stellar Colorado Swimming Holes

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Jackson Lake State Park features a large reservoir with sandy beaches and 240 campsites. The water is shallow and warms up quickly in the summer. Swimming is allowed on the west shore out to the no wake buoys.

Swimming at Jackson Lake

Since 2015, All About The Smoke BBQ has built a thriving barbeque business and a catering operation in Fort Morgan, Colorado. The business is locally owned and family run.

All About The Smoke BBQ

Jackson Lake is an “Oasis on the Plains” for all types of splash-worthy fun, including boating, fishing, sailboarding and water skiing.

Boating at Jackson Lake 

Welcome to The Mav Kitchen &amp; Tap House, Fort Morgan's premier dining destination.

The Mav Kitchen & Tap House

Live music and dancing in a casual atmosphere in the heart of Fort Morgan. Take note of the infamous toilet seats that decorate the historic bar’s walls, which once served as the grand lobby of the Queen Hotel, opened in 1930.

Queen's Lounge

As the most recognized name in the industry, travelers all over the world have been saying “Take me to the Hilton” for almost a century.

Hampton Inn Fort Morgan

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Grab a complimentary breakfast at the Hampton Inn Fort Morgan before making your way to Fort Collins.

Fuel Up for the Drive

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Just west of Fort Collins, 6.5 miles of water beckons visitors to come out and play! Surrounded by 1,900 acres of public lands, this reservoir has it all: fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, scuba diving, rock climbing and water skiing.

Swimming at Horsetooth Reservoir

Offering a wide variety of the most extraordinary and most famous authentic Thai cuisine.

Bann Thai Restaurant

Convenient access, clear water, challenging rapids and beautiful scenery make the Cache la Poudre a river-runner’s paradise May through September. Kayaks are suitable on various stretches of the river; just make sure you use an experienced commercial outfitter. From Class I all the way to Class V, we have rapids for every age and ability.

Kayaking the Cache la Poudre River

Rent a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard from a local outfitter like Mountain Whitewater.

Get the Gear

Set in a 133 year-old building, The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm is a casual restaurant focused on elevated country and healthy farm fare.

The Farmhouse at Jessup Farm

New Belgium Brewing is a craft brewery well know for their Fat Tire, Ranger IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle, Shift and a litany of other beers both seasonal and complex for the beer geek in you! Come visit and book a tour online!

New Belgium Brewing Company

If you’re visiting on a Thursday, check the events calendar on New Belgium’s website to see if there’s a Bike-In Cinema event that evening. Riders spread out on blankets beneath the stars to sip beers and watch a flick.

Movie Night

The Elizabeth Hotel is where Fort Collins comes together. Situated in the center of Old Town, the cornerstone of Firehouse Alley, our Fort Collins hotel is the beat of the city's heart. Thoughtful amenities and vibrant spaces cultivate human interaction and discovery, because we believe that experiences are better shared with each other.

The Elizabeth Hotel

Quality coffee and quality service unite for a life-changing coffee experience at Harbinger Coffee in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Harbinger Coffee

Your next stop is Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, a city in the Denver area.

Drive South

Welcome to Denver’s natural and spacious backyard playground. Open seasonally in the summer, the sandy beach at Cherry Creek State Park has a roped-off swimming area that is a great place for water play. There is a bathhouse with restrooms located at the beach for convenience.

Swimming at Cherry Creek Reservoir 

We've been slinging brews, burgers and good times since 1945. Very little has changed inside the neighborhood's favorite spot.

Cherry Cricket — Cherry Creek

Where Cherry Creek and the South Platte River meet and mingle, you'll find the unique and scenic Confluence Park. Watch kayakers brave the rapids on custom-designed chutes, sunbathe on the sandy banks and enjoy panoramic views of downtown Denver.

Whitewater Paddling in Confluence Park

Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard from Denver’s Confluence Kayaks.

Denver Central Market brings a gourmet food emporium and community meeting place to the heart of Colorado's capital city.

The Denver Central Market

See what’s playing at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre, home to pair of geologically formed sandstone monoliths that promote seamless acoustics for only-in-Colorado concert experiences. The open-air theater in Morrison (just 15 miles west of Denver) has charmed musicians from nearly every genre.

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre

Hostel Fish is Denver's upscale boutique hostel, nestled in the heart of downtown. Design-centered and high-end amenities provided, we offer shared dormitory style rooms and private suites for the savvy backpacker and budget traveler!

Hostel Fish

Picture breakfast and lunch crafted from scratch recipes focusing on the highest level ingredients; a setting filled with energy and pouring over in creativity; service radiating fun and knowledge throughout.

Snooze

After breakfast, drive to Granby, about 85 miles northwest of Denver. Get your camera ready — it's a scenic route that climbs into the high country.

Granby or Bust

With the dramatic peaks of the Rocky Mountains in the background, Shadow Mountain Lake is a high-elevation reservoir offering breathtaking views and plenty of outdoor activities, including swimming, boating and fishing.

Swimming at Shadow Mountain Lake

Maverick’s Grille specializes in Colorado family dining where customers can enjoy a delicious selection of steaks, chicken, burgers ...

Maverick's Grille

Situated on the Colorado River, just outside of the town of Granby, Lake Granby is the third-largest body of water in Colorado. Get your Colorado fishing license — the lake is continuously stocked with trout and kokanee salmon.

Fishing at Lake Granby

Where the locals take their guests! An American Bistro with a variety of fare ranging from Angus Steak to Street Tacos to Delicious Salads.

Brickhouse 40

The campground is situated between the southern shore of Shadow Mountain Lake and the banks of the Colorado River, at an elevation of approximately 8,300 feet.

Green Ridge Campground

Discover sweet post-dinner stargazing spots on the shores of Shadow Mountain Lake, just a short stroll from Green Ridge Campground.

Star Power

Family owned cafe since 2006. Miss Sally and her staff are always sure to make you smile! Wonderful all you can eat buffet every Saturday and Sunday.

Fat Cat Cafe

After breakfast in Grand Lake, drive about 40 miles to Kremmling, where you’ll hook up with Liquid Descent Rafting for a half-day whitewater-rafting excursion down the Upper Colorado River.

Cruise to Kremmling

Liquid Descent, with outposts in Kremmling and Idaho Springs, offers whitewater-rafting adventures on Clear Creek and the Colorado River. Their Upper Colorado River excursion is a great option for families or first-time paddlers looking for a scenic float trip with wildlife-spotting opportunities and mild rapids.

Colorado River Rafting With Liquid Descent

Great old school cafe. Now that's a breakfast! If your driving to Steamboat and miss this location you better turn back!

Moose Cafe

Nestled along the Blue River on Hwy. 9 just south of Kremmling, Green Mountain Reservoir is a hot spot for camping, fishing, boating and lounging on the shore in the sunshine. Swimming access is available from multiple lakeside campgrounds, including McDonald Flats, Prairie Point and Willows.

Swimming at Green Mountain Reservoir 

Stop for an after-dinner drink or have your whole meal at the world's first brewstillery and restaurant designed to make you feel like your in a pub in your own hometown.

The Dean West Restaurant & Brewstillery

Situated in the heart of Colorado, at the crossroads of U.S. 40 and Highway 6, Grand Adventure Brewing Company is the new, go-to stop for all types of adventurers. Specializing in locally sourced and from scratch preparation, our food and beer selection will power your

Grand Adventure Brewing Company

Visit us in the wild west of your imagination here at the Hotel Eastin of Kremmling, Colorado!  Our beloved "blink and you'll miss it" town has long been dubbed a sportsman's paradise, but word is the TRUE secret of Kremmling is out, and skipping it's merry way around town these days.  We are sure the walls of the Hotel Eastin, which have been watching the goings on here since 1906, are whispering their secrets to their adoring guests; tickling the imaginations of residents and vagabonds alike!

Hotel Eastin

On your way to Twin Lakes, stop in Silverthorne for some morning grub.

Breakfast in Silverthorne

Petite, casual eatery offering burgers &amp; other American lunch classics, plus all-day breakfast.

Sunshine Cafe

Colorado’s highest peak — 14,439-foot Mount Elbert — is reflected in the state’s two largest glacial lakes, which are flanked by a charming little village of the same name. While the lakes are situated at 9,200 feet, the cool waters are perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day. If the water is too brisk for your taste, rent a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard in town.

Swimming at Twin Lakes

Drive about 20 miles north to Leadville — the highest incorporated city in the U.S. at 10,152 feet — to grab some afternoon eats.

Lunch in Leadville

At Buchi, passion is the most important ingredient, and we hope to bring you a memorable Cuban Cafe experience with every bite (and sip).

Buchi Cafe Cubano Leadville

Scenic narrated tours of Twin Lakes, located among the highest peaks in Colorado. Tour includes both the upper and lower glacially formed lakes and a tour of the historic Interlaken resort, established in the late 1800's as a getaway for wealthy mining tycoons. Magnificent scenery, information about the geology of the area, wildlife, history and folklore await!

Twin Lakes & Interlaken Boat Tours

Located inside The Twin Lakes Inn, the Saloon serves up tasty meal choices within a true Wild West setting. Enjoy tasty appetizers, drinks and meals in the bar, sunroom, rustic dining room or patio (weather permitting). Reservations suggested especially in July-August.

Twin Lakes Saloon

Before heading back to your home for the evening at the Twin Lakes Roadhouse Lodge and Cabins, share stories of your journey over a night cap at the Twin Lakes Inn Saloon.

Toast Your Epic Adventures

Experience the peaceful, quiet of scenic Twin Lakes Village, Colorado. You decide whether it's a fly rod,lake canoe, mountain biking, hiking, or just a lazy walk around the 130 year old dirt streets of this historicmountain village.
Hike or bike unlimited ancient Ute Indian trails to historical mines, hotels, and hidden high mountain lakesand beaver ponds. Photograph elk and summer snow capped peaks. Plan a drive over IndependencePass to Aspen only 35 miles away. Enjoy lunch at one of the local diners, or dine in with one of our Road-house daily dinner specials. Take a scenic drive to Leadville or Buena Vista.