Colorado may be landlocked, but it still knows how to deliver a good beach day. Here, the water is framed by mountains, and the horizon stretches with alpine grace. The sun feels brighter, the air a little drier, and somehow the sand beneath your feet still feels like summer. At each stop, I found a surprising blend of calm and adventure—where paddleboards replaced surfboards, and sunsets turned mountain lakes into mirrors.
These weren’t oceanside vacations. They were something else. Something just as magical.
Unique Colorado Beaches, Reservoirs and Lakes
Cooling off at Boulder Reservoir - Boulder, CO
Just minutes from downtown, Boulder Reservoir felt like an easy escape. Families set up camp under beach umbrellas, students tossed frisbees in the grass, and swimmers waded out into the cool blue shallows. What struck me most was the contrast—city energy just over the hill, yet here I was, toes in the sand, feeling miles away.
What I Loved Most: Floating in the swim zone with Flatirons rising in the background—it felt like vacation and home all at once.
My highlights? A post-swim smoothie and turkey pesto wrap from Boulder’s Dish Gourmet, eaten at a shady picnic table with wet hair and lake breeze in the air.
Boulder Reservoir At a Glance
- Location: Boulder, CO
- Vibe: Casual, friendly, college-town meets lake life
- Highlights: Swim beach, paddleboarding, mountain views
- Best Time to Visit: Weekday afternoons in summer
- Cost: ~$10–12 per person
- Hours: 6am–9pm
Soaking in the stillness at Blue Mesa Reservoir - Gunnison, CO
Blue Mesa was sprawling and serene—the largest body of water in Colorado, ringed by cliffs and quiet. Standing on the pebbled beach at sunrise, with only the wind and the water moving, I felt something open up inside me. That’s when it hit me: *This place doesn’t just reflect the sky—it reflects your mood.*
What I Loved Most: Taking a slow paddleboard ride at golden hour, the water glassy and undisturbed, the world silent except for the call of distant birds.
My highlights? A warm breakfast burrito and coffee from The Bean Coffeehouse & Eatery in Gunnison, brought to the beach and eaten wrapped in a blanket.
Blue Mesa Reservoir At a Glance
- Location: Near Gunnison, CO
- Vibe: Expansive, calm, almost meditative
- Highlights: Kayaking, sunrise views, long stretches of shoreline
- Best Time to Visit: Early summer or fall
- Cost: Included with entry to Curecanti National Recreation Area
- Hours: 5am–10pm
Wading through wonder at Medano Creek - Great Sand Dunes National Park
Medano Creek wasn’t just a beach—it was a phenomenon. A shallow stream flowed across the base of towering dunes, creating a seasonal beach that felt like something out of a dream. Kids splashed through waves that pulsed like a heartbeat. It felt surreal and sacred all at once. That’s when I realized: *You don’t need the ocean to feel awestruck.*
What I Loved Most: Lying in the creek as water rippled over my legs, dunes glowing gold in the background.
My highlights? A picnic of hummus wraps and watermelon packed from Oasis Store & Grill just outside the park. We ate with wet feet and sandy fingers and didn’t stop smiling.
Medano Creek At a Glance
- Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO
- Vibe: Surreal, seasonal, family-friendly
- Highlights: Flowing creek, sand dunes, natural “wave” action
- Best Time to Visit: Late May through June
- Cost: $25 per vehicle park entry
- Hours: Open 24/7 (best during daylight)
Finding space to play at Chatfield State Park Beach - Littleton, CO
Chatfield had something for everyone—kayakers gliding past, kids building sandcastles, dogs leaping after tennis balls. It wasn’t flashy, but it had heart. As I sat under a beach umbrella with a cold drink and nowhere to be, a quiet sense of ease settled in. It felt like summer in motion.
What I Loved Most: The hum of boats, laughter, and wind moving across water—just enough noise to remind you you’re alive.
My highlights? Grilled chicken sandwich and kettle chips from the on-site marina café, eaten on a picnic blanket while watching the sailboats drift by.
Chatfield State Park Beach At a Glance
- Location: Littleton, CO (south of Denver)
- Vibe: Active, family-friendly, social
- Highlights: Swimming, paddleboarding, marina café
- Best Time to Visit: Weekends early in the day
- Cost: $10 day pass
- Hours: 5am–10pm
Floating through alpine reflections at Grand Lake - Grand Lake, CO
Grand Lake was the kind of place that felt cinematic—crystal water framed by mountain peaks and pine-scented air. Everything moved slower here. Canoes glided quietly, kids tiptoed into the water, and the whole shoreline felt like it had been waiting just for you. It occurred to me: *This isn’t just a beach day. It’s a memory in the making.*
What I Loved Most: Canoeing at dusk, the water still and cool, the sky melting from peach to blue as birds skimmed the surface.
My highlights? Ice cream from Kawuneeche Café, eaten on a bench with sticky fingers and a mountain view.
Grand Lake At a Glance
- Location: Grand Lake, CO (near RMNP)
- Vibe: Peaceful, scenic, classic Colorado
- Highlights: Boating, swimming, nearby shops
- Best Time to Visit: July–September
- Cost: Free; rentals and parking extra
- Hours: Daylight hours
Escaping into ease at Cherry Creek State Park Beach - Aurora, CO
Cherry Creek was right next to Denver, but somehow it felt miles away. The beach stretched long, dotted with umbrellas and coolers, and the water shimmered under a wide Colorado sky. It reminded me: *Sometimes rest doesn’t require travel—just intention.*
What I Loved Most: Lying back on a towel, eyes closed, listening to the soft splash of swimmers and rustle of cottonwoods nearby.
My highlights? I brought a salad and iced tea from Stanley Marketplace and ate it on a grassy slope above the beach, shoes off, sun on my shoulders.
Cherry Creek State Park Beach At a Glance
- Location: Aurora, CO (east of Denver)
- Vibe: Accessible, local, laid-back
- Highlights: Swimming, paddleboarding, nearby trails
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon
- Cost: $11 day pass
- Hours: 5am–10pm
Why Colorado’s Beaches Made Me Stay Awhile
I came to these beaches expecting water—and left with wonder. Each one held a different kind of peace: sometimes noisy and joyful, sometimes still and wide like sky. These were places where mountains kissed the shoreline and the sand felt like permission to slow down. No tides, no seaweed—just clarity, space, and a new kind of coastal magic.
And as I left each one, towel over my shoulder and sun on my skin, I found myself quietly grateful. These weren’t ocean beaches. But they were something just as memorable. Just as healing. Just as worth coming back to.
Jump to a Spot...
- • Cooling off at Boulder Reservoir - Boulder, CO
- • Soaking in the stillness at Blue Mesa Reservoir - Gunnison, CO
- • Wading through wonder at Medano Creek - Great Sand Dunes National Park
- • Finding space to play at Chatfield State Park Beach - Littleton, CO
- • Floating through alpine reflections at Grand Lake - Grand Lake, CO
- • Escaping into ease at Cherry Creek State Park Beach - Aurora, CO