Whether it’s dipping your toes in at the local pool or swimming at an open lake, a good way to beat the heat is getting in the water, and there are many water activities to choose from in the Denver metro area.
For some, summertime is a time to relax, but for others, it’s a time to be adventurous and create memories with family.
Here is a guide to some of the best places to swim in the metro area as well as enjoy fresh water.
The Splash at Fossil Trace
3051 Illinois St., Golden, Colorado 80401 | 303-277-8700 | splash@cityofgolden.net | splashingolden.com/ | Park Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Sunday, Pool Hours: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Enjoy the twists and turns of the water slides at The Splash Aquatic Park while taking in the green scenery of the Front Range.
“It definitely has the more foothills-feel as opposed to the urban feel of Elitches or Water World,” said Betsy Sweet, aquatic supervisor for the city. “It’s less crowded.”
Across the park, guests have views of Lookout Mountain and Mount Zion, which is the mountain decorated with the “M” for the Colorado School of Mines.
As part of Golden’s Parks and Recreation Department, The Splash goes beyond the standard recreational swimming pool. From those learning how to walk to the community’s seniors, the waterpark has amenities for all ages and swimming abilities.
“Not only is it fun for kids, but the adults in the world have fun as well,” Sweet said.
Popular among children is the leisure beach-entry pool that includes a large play structure, small water slides, spray fountains and “Tipper,” the 500-gallon dump bucket. But for the little ones who want to be in the water but aren’t confident in swimming just yet, there is a gentle splash pad.
One of the most popular attractions for those 48 inches and taller are the two water slides, the green body slide and the blue tube slide. If those under the height requirement want to ride the blue slide, they must ride with an adult.
The park also has a 25-meter lap pool with eight lanes for the more experienced swimmers as well as an open swim area and diving boards.
With interactive structures around the park, Sweet said The Splash is home to the biggest sandbox in Jefferson County, which also has dinosaur fossils to dig up.
Admission fees for Golden residents range from $8-11 based on age, $9-12 for Jefferson County residents and $10-13 for non-residents.
Paradice Island Pool
5951 Monaco St., Commerce City, Colorado 80022 | 303-289-3769 | c3gov.com/paradice | facebook.com/paradiceisland/ Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Aug.11
Commerce City is a fast-growing and diverse community with over 1,000 businesses, a golf course and soccer complex, 25 miles of trials and a swimming pool.
Opened in 2015 on the east end of Pioneer Park, Paradice Island Pool was a first-of-its-kind in Commerce City.
The park ranges from a toddler pool with interactive water features for young ones to a leisure pool to a lap pool for the more advanced swimmers. Guests can have a relaxing time on the lazy river or feel the adrenaline when going down one of three slides.
Other non-water features at the park include play structures, volleyball, shaded areas and cabanas for rent. It’s a place to gather with friends and family. Coolers, chairs, pop-up tents, party decorations and food are allowed, but not alcohol and glass.
Admission rates for residents with a valid city recreation play pass range from free to $4 based on age. For non-residents who don’t have a play pass, the fee ranges from free to $10.
Pirates Cove Family Aquatic Center
1225 W Belleview Ave., Englewood, Colorado 80120 | 303-762-COVE | pirates@englewood.gov | englewoodco.gov/parks-recreation-library-golf/pirates-cove | 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
On the north side of West Belleview Avenue, between Santa Fe Drive and Broadway, “X” marks the spot. It’s one of the tallest points in Englewood: Pirates Cove.
“Pirates Cove offers family fun entertainment for all ages at an affordable price,” said Kristopher Davison, aquatics manager.
With over an acre of land to explore, the waterparks’ Slide Tower is a popular attraction. At 35 feet tall, the tower includes three slides ranging in depth and speed.
For those under the height limit of 48 inches, there’s plenty more to explore. Take a relaxing tour of the cove in the Lazy River or go to the Lagoon, which has a play structure and a 750-gallon dump bucket. There is also a water spray garden and a beach sand play area.
Another location is the Bay. At the competitive pool, swimmers can use the drop slide and diving board.
While Pirate Cove is a place to bring the family, the cove also provides exclusive nights for adults. This summer for $10 a person, Adult Nights at Pirates Cove will include live music from 6-8 p.m. July 10 and 24 as well as Aug. 8.
Daily admission is between $11-19 based on age and Englewood Recreation Center membership. The price increases on weekends and holidays.
Davison added that cabanas, luxury lounges and lockers are available for daily rentals.
It may be a place of fantasy, but no mermaid swim tails, flippers or arm floaties are allowed as well as shade coverings and outside food. Luckily, the Barnacle Cafe has food, from burgers and pizza to ice cream and smoothies.
Adventure West
423 10th St. (rear), Golden, Colorado 80401 | 720-722-1645 | adventurewestco@gmail.com | adventurewestco.com/
2920 Brewery Lane, Littleton, Colorado, 80120
One of the most popular and thrilling activities in the City of Golden is Whitewater River Tubing on Clear Creek. Daily tube rentals are open every day and include commercial-grade river tubes with complimentary life jackets and helmets. Shoes, not flip-flops, are required.
Adventure West owner Beth Battilla said when the Golden location first opens for the season, it’s for adults and strong swimmers only. It is then gradually opened to others as the flow rate drops.
“Golden is best for most people mid-to-late July onwards,” Battilla said. “Unless you are really comfortable swimming in swift water, then by all means, come earlier.”
Although online reservations aren’t required at this location, reservations guarantee a tube and speed up the check-in process. Battilla added that reservations are highly recommended on weekends as tubes tend to sell out.
Those under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
While the location in Golden is an “exciting” float, Adventure West’s location in Littleton is more of a “mellow” and “picturesque” float, and online reservations are required.
Here, guests can drift along the South Platte River for upwards of two hours and take in the sights of the Carson Nature Center.
Children must be five years of age or older and parking is available at Breckenridge Brewery.
“[They] are outfitted with a commercial grade river tube, life jacket, given our tubing tips and a safety talk,” Battilla said.
Cherry Creek and Chatfield Reservoirs
4201 South Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado 80014 | 303.690.1166 | cpw.state.co.us
11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, Littleton, Colorado 80125 | 303.791.7275 | cpw.state.co.us
From swimming to jet skiing, local reservoirs offer a variety of water activities and programs.
Colorado is known for its mountain range, but there are sandy beaches families and friends can visit as well. Cherry Creek Reservoir has a roped-off swimming area for people to cool off. It’s important to note that Colorado State Park swim beaches don’t have lifeguards on duty, so children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
In addition to sailboarding and boating, the reservoir also offers a youth rowing program called Mile High Rowing Club and an adaptive sailing program called Community Sailing of Colorado.
Another sandy beach sits on the west side of the Chatfield Reservoir and is open from sunrise to sunset through Sept. 2. The beach is complete with showers, restrooms and picnic areas with small grills.
The reservoir is divided into multiple zones. One is the main body of the reservoir, known as the “Power Zone” and is for general boating, water skiing and sailing and moves in a counterclockwise direction.
There are two large “No Wake Zones” at the southwest and southeast ends of the reservoir, which are more ideal for fishing and canoeing. Paddle Boarding is allowed in all bodies of water except for the swim area.
River Run Park
2101 W Oxford Ave., Englewood, CO, 80110 | endlesswaveco@gmail.com | endlesswaves.net/waves/river-run-park/
It may not be a common sight in Colorado, but there are places to surf. River Run Park on the South Platte River is one of many and has been expanding over the years to allow transplanted surfers from the ocean to hit the waves.
“The waves get sort of more powerful and more challenging to ride as you go upstream,” said Jacob Vos, a director of the Colorado River Surfing Association.
The most beginner-friendly wave in the park is “Chiclets” while the other two waves, “Benihanas” and “Six” are more high-speed and dynamic as they have hydraulic plates that are in the river to help shape the waves and attune them to the flow of the river.
“That adjustability doesn’t mean the waves work for all conditions all the time, but it certainly widens the range of flows,” Vos said.
Since river surfing differs from ocean surfing, Vos stresses that ankle leashes can be deadly in an “insidious” way because the force of the river makes it challenging to reach the ankle to release the leash.
Other features in the park are conducive for whitewater kayaking and tubing, but Vos encourages users to check the South Platte River Union water gauges — which show how much water is in the river — and recommends wearing a helmet.
If the gauges show 100 CFS cubic feet per square, it’s more mellow, Vos said, but when it gets up to 1,000 cubic feet per square, the water is more violent.
“If people are just floating or just hanging out, they can have rude surprises if they don’t pay attention to those flows,” Vos said.
Parking is available at the Broken Tree Golf Course, however, the gates close in the evening. Parking is also available on the west side of the river. If there are additional questions, like where to get equipment, the Colorado Rivers Facebook group serves as a message board for the river surfing community.
Honorable mentions
- South Suburban Holly Pool: 6651 S. Krameria Way, Centennial, CO 80111
- Snorkeling lessons at Eastridge Recreation Center: 9568 S. University Blvd., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126
- Rocky Mountain Beach: 3301 W 46th Ave., Denver, CO 80211
- Rocky Mountain Paddleboard at Big Soda Beach: 15600 Morrison Road, Lakewood, CO 80465
- Bow Mar Beach: 5395 Lakeshore Drive, Littleton, CO 80123
- Rueter-Hess Recreation: 9343 Double Angel Road, Parker, CO 80134
- The Bay Aquatic Park: 250 Spader Way, Broomfield, CO 80020