Boulder Lakes

Lakes Near Boulder

It’s summertime so it’s time to start planning your upcoming family vacation. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Boulder. A stay at a lake is wonderful for those that enjoy the outdoors too, because they offer opportunities to see birds, fish, turtles and other animals in their natural habitat.

There are numerous brilliant arguments to visit a lake in Boulder while it’s hot outside – the water is refreshing on hot days, enjoyable summer entertainment such as boating, fishing or swimming. Some of the lakes in Boulder have beaches that are ideal for working on your tan. Has there ever been a better time? Load up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a cooler then set out your next day off and discover a brand new favorite spot on the water!

Lakes Close to Boulder

Lake Activities

A day trip to the lake, or a longer getaway provides an almost limitless list of things to do for families or couples.

Let’s look at some of the options available to you when you arrive at a lake near Boulder:

Go for a swim. Finding a swimming lake near Boulder will offer all kinds of fun for the big kids and little ones, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. If you want to spend time swimming and on the beach you’ll want to be sure your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area before you make the trip! Admit it, even the nicest swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach on a lake near Boulder!

Water sports. If you’re able to get access to a speed boat, why not get out on the water and start kicking up a wake showing off your water sports skills? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding or knee boarding as the all sports lakes provide you with a number of options.

Start paddling. If paddling is your thing, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake near Boulder that has a boat launch and start paddling around to enjoy nature’s beauty in all it’s glory.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

A lake day itinerary can vary quite a bit depending on which lake you’re going to, the time of year, the weather, and the activities on your to-do list. However, we’ve assembled a rundown of our favorite lake necessities that you can use as a checklist prior to locking up the house and heading out.

The basics

When the plan is to be outdoors for the vast majority of the day, our list of provisions below is a good place to start for essentials that you’ll be happy to have on hand.

  • Towels
  • Bathing suits
  • Travel dinnerware and cups
  • Beach blanket
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Trash bags (one for trash, one for wet items)
  • Sunblock
  • Dry shirt
  • Radio or speaker
  • Insect repellant

More lake gear

The following items can make your life easier for trips to the lake depending on what your plans are. You may want to double check for some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Your tackle box
  • Bait
  • Fishing poles, nets, etc.
  • Rafts and floaties
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Wine key
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Diapers and baby gear
  • Life jackets
  • Masks and snorkels

Lake Safety Checklist

Of course a day on a lake in Boulder should be lots of fun, safety should remain top of mind at all times. If you’re going to be out on the water here are some general safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices

More Ideas for Lake Fun

Few people get the opportunity to visit the amazing lakes around Boulder and likely have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Clearly, no matter where you go each lake will have unique qualities and surroundings, but you should keep in mind a few things to look into while assembling your itinerary that might help you end up with a winning itinerary.

  1. Make the most of unique assets in the area. When there’s time for a lengthier getaway, find local state campgrounds and parks that offer the option to camp right on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. Research your beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Boulder may be really busy. To find some space to yourself, research a variety of nearby beaches and lakes to learn about how busy they are to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most popular beach!
  3. No boat, no problem. If you’re near the water you’ll often find nearby marinas that offer boat rentals. You don’t need to own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or a wild day of wakeboarding. Asking a local will usually help you find a marina that has what you need.