Here are 11 of the best swimming holes in Colorado, from pristine lakes to reservoirs, waterfall pools, and everything in between. The wildflower lined trail is short and beautiful, clocking in at 2.1 miles round trip. However, in the winter months, some of the roads to various trailheads arent maintained, and this may add a substantial amount of snowy hiking to your journey. This is a phenomenal spot for a picnic lunch and a SUP experience. Ive been hiking in Colorado for over 13 years. Whether you make a day hike or weekend of it, these hidden, Tucked away at the intersection of two valleys in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, is the popular Brainard Lake Recreation Area, with its namesake lake resting at 10,500.' The Arkansas and local streams around my home base of Salida were blown out and muddy well into July. Since the trail to get to Ice Lake is steep and long you should make sure to wear hiking boots. Distance: 4.51 milesElevation: 1090 ftType: Out-and-back. This list comes from years of research and is a total labor of love. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a large wilderness area spanning the Central Cascades of Washington state in the United States.The wilderness is located in parts of Wenatchee National Forest and Snoqualmie National Forest, and is approximately bounded by Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass to the south and U.S. Route 2 and Stevens Pass to the north. Photo: Whitney JamesDistance: 3.15 milesElevation: 650 ftType: Out-and-back. Distance: 8.62 milesElevation: 2113 ftType: Out-and-back. Keep moving forward and the trail will switch back and then head up the mountain. No dogs are allowed in the yurt over winter. Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake with clear teal water. These lakes are next to Independence Pass, a road that takes you to Aspen. The 6.3-mile hike takes 2.5-3 hours, and the elevation gain is very gradual for. Distance: 12.5 milesElevation: 2,890 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This mountain range holds snow well into July, so be prepared for a few patches of snow, even in late summer. And find our listings for off-road outfitters and tour companies here. Seriously, this is the least popular alpine lake hike in Colorado on this list, likely because so few people know about it. Are there any waterfalls I can visit near Denver? This adventure leads you through the Holy Cross Wilderness where youll be surrounded by beautiful forests. Want a bit more of a challenge? Lake Blanche Trail : An absolute must-see for the aspiring Wasatch adventurer . Proposition 114 passed in Colorado and now the planning process begins. Walk another half mile and youll see a beautiful waterfall, followed by stellar views of Lily Lake. Be Proactive. You can take a dip at Sprouting Rock in a stunning turquoise oasis found just behind Hanging Lake. Primarily characterized as an alpine tundra region, its total distance is approximately 65 miles and can be completed in about 7 hours (or more), typically under normal circumstances. This is one of the most iconic adventures in Colorado and for good reason! Lower and Upper Mohawk Lakes and three other unnamed lakes are all in the area. (Photo/David Young) Banff Sunshine is about a 15-minute drive from Banff and is serviced by a nearly 3-mile, eight-person gondola that transports skiers and snowboarders to the . The Loch is located at 10,200 ft in Rocky Mountain National Park. Lowest Depth: 265 feet. Distance: 8.6 miles from the lower lot, the upper lot cuts about a mile or so off each way (see Crystal Lake)Elevation: 2,129 feet from the lower lot (see Cyrstal Lake)Difficulty: ModerateRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a dog-friendly area packed with awesome 13er hiking opportunities. Print/PDF map. Harder To Reach: Lawn Lake. Along the byway, you can travel through various scenery changes: start in a desert canyon and pass aspen foothills, lakes, alpine forests, lily ponds, and meadows bursting with wildflowers as you make your way to the top. If youre lucky, youll get a perfect reflection of these towering peaks against the lake. By: The trail starts off steep, dropping into a valley before running flat, then climbing steeply up again. Independence Pass is also located nearby for scenic travelers. Cherry Creek Reservoir. It's Denver's highest mountain park and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965. Surprise Lake is also accessible from this set of trails, and all of the lakes offer the added bonus of being the perfect setting for a pristine, secluded backcountry campsite. Named for its stunning waters, Emerald Lake is overflowing with beauty. Both alpine lakes sit at an elevation of about 11,000 feet. Be Nice. 5h 16m. Getting caught in a lightning storm at altitude is dangerous, it kills people every year, so be sure to check the weather and plan appropriately. In fact, alpine lakes in Colorado are so famous, nearly every mountain hike passes a pristine lake nestled in the mountains. Check out this adventure for impressive views of the Mount Evans Wilderness. Check that the ice is fully frozen on the lake before stepping on to cross in the colder months! Make it a day by going on one of Colorados most scenic drives! Capping out at 12,183 feet in elevation, at its summit, Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous road in the country. The middle and upper are said to have the best views. This includes water, snacks, sun protection, extra layers, and more. The mountains of southern Colorado are littered with alpine lake hikes. Youll likely want to stay overnight to prolong your time in this picturesque environment, but do note that permits are required for campers. The Lake Haiyaha hike is accessible year-round and a great option for beginners or those looking for a gentle day and one of the best winter hikes in Colorado. Grand Lake. An alternative to driving on your own is to. Another long-distance doozy, the Twin Crater Lakes hike is well-worth a backpack, unless you have hiking superpowers, in which case, it technically can be done in a day. Distance: 8.1 milesElevation: 3,093 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: This is a well-known spot. If you're up for the challenge, Kit Carson and Challenger Point can also be accessed along this trail. Lakes at 12,000 feet above sea level may only offer a couple of months of fishing due to the heavy snowfall in Colorado. The trail is located near Glenwood Springs, offering the perfect post-adventure spot. We strive to work together to protect public lands and fight for the well-being of our future generations so they, too, may be able to experience these landscapes. Youll have the added bonus of passing two additional scenic alpine lakes along the way. Distance: 23.8 milesElevation: 4,767 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: Dogs are welcome to use this trail. Learn more At these lakes you can canoe, kayak, and paddle board. Huskies also thrive in Colorado - alpine lakes, cross . Note: Many of the links are affiliate links which means I receive a very small commission (at no . This helps you beat those pesky thunderstorms and stay safe. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Also, keep in mind there are restrictions on where you can walk, so be respectful of signs and regulations. Square Top Lakes, Guanella Pass Square Top Lakes via Shutterstock. Continental Falls is a series of cascades dropping over 500 feet. This short 6.5-mile round-trip trail boasts picturesque alpine lakes and stunning views of Pfeifferhorn. Another worthwhile alpine lake hike near Breckenridge is Crystal Lake, which gives the ultimate solitude and scenery double punch. The first lake on this trail is Lower Blue Lake, a clear bright blue lake within the Mount Sneffels Wilderness Area at 10,952 ft elevation. Adventurous hikers can continue up the glacier just be sure to bring some traction and maybe a hiking pole or two. Visitors to the lake have the option to rent a kayak, canoe, or standup paddleboard. If you want to stay in town, choose nearby Frantz Lake in Salida or Buena Vista Town Lake in McPhelemy Park. before arriving at the lake, where goof fishing has been reported. Located outside of the beautiful mountain town of Vail, the trail to the lake is about 12.5 miles out-and-back. Although the entire hike is 2.4 miles long, you will arrive at the lake in half a. Check out three different alpine lakes in the James Peak Wilderness with the Crater Lakes Trail. The cherry on top is a chance at landing a fish of a lifetime. Unfortunately, in the summer it can get hot with temperatures, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. Dream Lake is a vision right out of a fairy tale in the early morning hours. Distance: 2.8 miles round trip. The Alpine Loop leaves pavement and people behind, crossing the remote, rugged, spectacular heart of the San Juan Mountains. To see the entire lake though, youll need to do a bit of climbing up the shore. Come prepared for changing weather conditions. Distance: 11 milesElevation: 2,529 feetDifficulty: DifficultRed Tape and Local Tips: No dogs. The best time to do this hike is early in the morning for sunrise you wont be mad you did! It's a 1.8-mile trek (3.6 miles round trip). Hike your way up to the lakes for breath-taking views and lakeside goodness! Its still worth a visit, even if you arent climbing. . It's the state's highest peak. To get to Island Lake, hike on Ice Lake Trail and after visiting Ice Lake, take a left on the trail to continue up to Island Lake. To see most of these incredible lakes in Colorado on one road trip, check out our Colorado Road Trip Itinerary. Reservations are no longer required until summer 2023. ppmicrosoftteams-image_24.png Enjoy Pikes Peak at your leisure on the safe, scenic Pikes Peak Highway. After seeing Island Lake continue ahead and take a right to form a small loop. Youll find over 2,000 alpine lakes in Colorado. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy spanning alpine lake views. If you are looking for something a little easier to get to, try James Peak Wilderness. Granite spires surrounding the lake, one referred to as sharks tooth. There are also two 13,000-foot peaks nearby, Taylor and Powell. Maroon Creek Road which leads to Maroon Bells is usually open between May and November and you are required to makereservations ahead of time to enter Maroon Bells area. or anything. You'll find this alpine gem located near Nederland. Photo Credit: The Gazette, Christian Murdock. Please explore responsibly! The parking lot can get crowded, so plan accordingly. Additionally, the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife may occasionally stock non-native fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroats, common in Wyoming and Idaho, into some fisheries. Awesome views, wildlife, lakes and wild flowers await you on this lollipop loop ride. Photo by Kyle Jenkins. The lakes are also great fishing destinations, so be sure to pack a rod and some tackle along with your tent for a surreal nature getaway. The hike from Bear Lake Trailhead is 3.6 miles round trip with about 740 ft elevation gain. Where can I camp next to a lake near Denver? Explore the fantastically beautiful cirque and enjoy views of Kit Carson, The Crestones, and Humboldt Peak. Theres no shortage of fantastic mountain and lake views. Both make for a relaxing day of fishing and casting with the family. Please note, reservations may be required for visiting the park. The byway provides many scenic overlooks to view each of these Colorado beauties. Resting at an elevation of 9,450 feet, it may come as a surprise that this scenic lake is located just 250 feet from the parking lot. There is no shortage of beautiful lakes near Denver, and there are several with magnificently blue water. However, with that being said, its still worth a visit to gaze upon this magical fairytale lake. Distance: 2.93 milesElevation: 675 ftType: Loop. 1. Which lake near Denver has the bluest water? Give them instructions about who to call if they dont hear from you. Since it's a relatively short hike, this is a great one for a family nature outing. + Save to a List. From short day hikes close to the city to multi-day backpacking trips deep in Rocky Mountain National Park, these adventures will take you to some of the most beautiful mountain lakes in Colorado. Before reaching Heart Lake, be sure to soak in the alpine views first at Rogers Lake. Parking early in the morning is free at the Bear Lake Trailhead. For an invigorating day of outdoor fun, head over to these amazing, Hidden deep in the Rawah Wilderness near Fort Collins, is a secluded picturesque paradise with pristine alpine lakes and the spectacular Medicine Bow Mountains as their backdrop. If youre looking for short, sweet, and steep with incredible views, Windsor Lake near Leadville is an awesome choice.
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