So, now that we’re through the last of the snow (maybe, I can dream, can’t I?) and people around the country are getting their vaccinations, it’s time to start planning for summer. After the past year we’ve had, I know we’re all dying to get outside, especially for one of my favorite summer activities: swimming. Even if you your local rec center or neighborhood pool is still closed, hopefully we’ll be able to visit some of these public watering holes once the weather warms.

  1. Horsetooth Reservoir

Fort Collins’ classic getaway has got anything and everything you need to bask in the sun and take a dip. With over six and a half miles of water, you’re all set to boat, swim, water ski and scuba dive. Not necessarily in that order, but hey, whatever… floats your boat. You can find one swimming area on the north eastern side of the reservoir, just off of Colorado Rd. 23, and another at South Bay (which is, shockingly, at the southern end of the reservoir).    

  1. City Park Pool

We recently received the news that Fort Collins’ City Park Pool will be open for the summer season of 2021. The pool aims to open on May 29, giving you access to their awesome water slides, water jungle gym palace and lazy river. The pool is typically open Monday-Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and hosts Twilight Swims Monday-Thursday from 4:20 p.m.-7:30 p.m. One-time day-of admission rates are $6 for youth and $7 for adults, while the Twilight Swim passes cost $4 for everyone.

  1. Boyd Lake

Boyd Lake, located in Loveland, has a swim beach that can do it just as good as any fancy ocean beach. Although the area is currently closed, it usually offers a beach pavilion, rinsing showers, bathrooms, a playground, picnic tables and a snack bar. Basically, anything you could want for a perfect day out on the beach. If you have a friend with a boat, you can swim from your seafaring vessel as well, as long as you’re in their designated no-wake areas.

  1. Windsor Lake

Windsor Lake is a great place for boating and swimming, and have their own little beach and playground set-up as well. The lake typically opens up around the end of May for boating, but you can go swimming whenever you like, as long as you have the nerve for Colorado’s “spring” water temperatures. You can even bring your dog along, where they’ve got their own dog swim beach and dog park on the northeast side of the lake.

  1. Lake Loveland

Finally, last but not least, we have the swim beach at Lake Loveland. Offering free swimming (as long as there’s a life guard on duty) along with concessions, a park and a picnic area, Lake Loveland is ready for all your summer frivolities. Do keep in mind that the beach is also closed when Loveland is using the lake for 4th of July events — Though, at least on that point, you’ll be wanting to get to higher ground anyway for the fireworks.

Hopefully we’ll see you on the sand and surf this summer.

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