Best Swimming?

[rushhournewb]

It's like asking on the Miami forum "where's the best mountain biking around the Miami area?" This just isn't a water sports area as far as swimming goes. Maybe some boating going on (Chatfield Res). I don't swim so I don't have to worry about that stuff year 'round. I go hiking instead! When I get near a "lake" more likely a pond up there I just admire it's existence but am never tempted to go out in it.

And as someone else said on this thread, forget Confluence Park. Looks great, polluted as all get out.

[history nerd]

Different places have different things... If watersports are your thing then Colorado won't be right for you. Just enjoy the Colorado stuff because if you will be dissapointed otherwise.

[TCHP]

Colorado's surface water supply comes from snow melt. Most water in the mountains and down near the front range will be just above freezing temps. Major lakes along the front range are going to be <60* in most places. You are going to have to drive an hour EAST of Denver or two + hours SOUTH out on the plains to find warmer water and thinner crowds.

[Greentea323]

I like Bear Creek Lake Park's swim beach better than the others. They have a separate beach area for those things adults stand on and paddle with...not sure what they're called. We like Bear Creek because there's no speed boats on the lake, the water looks okay, there's a playground, and it's not usually prohibitively crowded like Chatfield or Cherry Creek get sometimes. Aurora is okay too, but far and out there.

I agree though, Elitches has a fun water park as does Water World.

There's a river by Lion's Park in Golden too. I forgot the name, but I believe it goes pretty far. People do all sorts of things on there with tubes, kayaks? etc, but it's too fast to really swim in. Just last week a girl was stuck on a rock and and a police officer had to come help her.

*For toddlers they do have a cool slide next to the river & steps that go into it to splash in. There's also chickens you can feed along the river, Lion's Park, and a cafe in downtown golden with a play area that's all close together. That might be fun!

Or with a little kid there's Pirate's Cove on Belleview I believe, near Belleview Park which also has a small river you can walk and splash in. They used to have a print zoo & train ride too.