Swimming Holes in Colorado

Colorado swimming holes are cold and mountain-fed. The Arkansas River near Buena Vista has swimming access in the commercial rafting corridor during low-water summer weeks. Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs has been permit-only since 2019; the lake itself is off-limits for swimming but the approach trail passes pools in Deadhorse Creek. Cache la Poudre River near Fort Collins has swimming in the Wild and Scenic River corridor above Poudre Park. The Blue River below Silverthorne is cold even in August — glacially fed from the Dillon Reservoir. Most Colorado mountain swimming stays cold until late July even in warm years.

Always check current conditions before visiting — water levels, algae advisories, and access roads change seasonally. Never swim alone in remote sites. Tell someone your plans. Explore all swimming holes on the Trek4Free map →