Denver Lakes

Lakes Around Denver

It’s summertime and that means it’s time to start planning your upcoming grand getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Denver. As it turns out, when you come to Denver you have some options when it comes to getting on, or in the water.

There are numerous great arguments for a getaway to a lake in Denver while it’s hot outside – the cool water for swimming, enjoyable summer activities such as wakeboarding, fishing, or just relaxing on a raft. Some of the lakes in Denver have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. The time is now! Load up your vehicle with sunscreen and a picnic basket then set out this weekend and discover a brand new number one spot on the water!

Lakes Close to Denver

Things to Do at the Lake

On a day trip to a lake near Denver you’ll find all kinds of things to do for people of all persuasions. You could go for an exciting day trip or take a longer vacation to a hotel or AirBnB to make for a bigger, better getaway.

Every getaway on or in the water offers you all the options from partying to restful bliss.

Go for a swim. The swimming lakes near Denver provide tons of laughs and games for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active 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 nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool doesn’t hold a candle to a magnificent public beach!

Start paddling. For those in search of some exercise, strap your favorite kayak or paddleboard to the top of your vehicle and find yourself a lake that has a public boat launch you can use and start paddling around to soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, why not spend the day kicking up a wake showing off your water sports expertise? Enjoy a day of wakeboarding or knee boarding as the lakes near Denver provide you with a number of choices.

Lake Checklist

A lake day itinerary can vary quite a bit depending on the specific lake you’ll be visiting, the weather forecast, and your plan of attack. For your convenience we’ve assembled a rundown of popular go-to necessities for you to use as a checklist for your getaway.

Lake basics

When you’re out on a lake near Denver you will likely need to bring along many of the items below so that you’ll be feeling good, healthy, and enjoying your time.

  • Bug spray
  • Sunglasses
  • Towels and dry clothes
  • A receptacle for trash
  • Food
  • Portable phone charger
  • Bottle opener
  • Sweatshirt and sweatpants
  • A cooler and drinks
  • UV protection

Specialty lake gear

Consider your planned activities at the lake and who will be in your entourage, the items below will likely be helpful and worth a quick spot check before you make the trip.

  • Corkscrew
  • Your tackle box
  • Baby gear (if necessary)
  • Bait
  • Licenses and registration for boating and fishing
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Life jackets
  • Fishing gear
  • Kindle
  • Rafts for the kids

Staying Safe on a Lake

While your getaway at a lake in Denver should be lots of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. 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 wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Always wear sunblock
  • Avoid swimming near rocks or shallow water areas that may not be deep enough to dive underneath and escape from waves
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land

Some More Tips

Not everyone has had a chance to make their way to the lakes near Denver and might have a lot of questions about how to make the most of their time there. Certainly, no matter where you go each lake will possess unique qualities and surroundings, but here are a few things to review when making plans that might help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Maximize unique assets in the area. When you have time for a lengthier stay, find local recreational areas, state parks, and campgrounds which give you the option to camp directly on the water for a reasonable price.
  2. No boat, no problem. It’s common that lakes will have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Asking a local can usually allow you to find a marina that has what you need.
  3. Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally the beaches near Denver might be really busy. To find some space to yourself, do some digging on multiple lakes in the area to learn about how busy they are if you want a more relaxing vibe. If you want to be where the party’s at, then look for the biggest, most popular sandy party scene!