Most Gorgeous Lakes In Denver, Colorado

Shamika
Contributing Writer
Published
| 5 min read
lakes in denver

The state of Colorado is known all over the world as a nature-friendly state. Surrounded by mountains, sprinkled with rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, and filled with lush green forests, Colorado is the ultimate travel destination for adventure sports enthusiasts and nature buffs. Its capital, Denver, is an urban metropolis that has maintained its greenery. The citizens of Denver love the great outdoors as well, and one of the most popular hang-out spots tends to be the beautiful and picturesque lakes sprinkled in and around Denver. So if you ever find yourself in Denver and wish to check out the beautiful lakeside promenades or have a picnic by the lake, read on as we explore the most gorgeous lakes in Denver, Colorado.

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1. Marston Lake

Marston Lake
Source: Photo by user Jeffrey Beall used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Located in Denver, this reservoir is a beautiful place to check out if you like picnics beside a lake. This reservoir was originally built to collect and provide water to the city of Denver from the South Platte River, but over time it has also become a very popular tourist attraction. Plenty of people have picnics and bring beers with their friends and family and have a good time. This lake is also perfect for bird-watching enthusiasts, as it attracts all kinds of local species including the waterfowls, seagulls, loons, and more. It is free to visit any time of the year, and it has a pleasant pathway to take a long walk along the lakeside. In addition, there are also fishing piers where you can fish for hours at a time watching the relaxing lake views. With such a wide variety of activities available, it is really no wonder that this is the best and most frequented lake in Denver and its vicinity.

Marston Lake

Address: Marston Lake, Denver, CO, USA

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Nearby lakes

2. Echo Lake

Echo Lake Mount Evans Area Colorado June 2015  011
Source: Photo by user Wasif Malik used under CC BY 2.0

Situated on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway about an hour away from the city of Denver, Echo Lake is a beautiful lake with a park built around it by the state. The park consists of all the classic amenities available for a great evening out, including picnic areas, grilling facilities if you wish to have a cookout with your friends, and even small gazebos to relax in if the weather isn’t favourable. In addition, you can find a short hiking trail along the lake that loops around, where you can go running or bicycling. The best times to go hiking are early in the morning or during sunset and you can bring a camera along for some great shots. You will be able to see the beautiful mountains in the distance and the panoramic views are truly Instagram-worthy and breathtaking.

You can indulge in a variety of different activities here. Bring along your fishing gear for a day of fishing with your friends, or go boating along the lake. If you have time, you can avail the camping facilities available. If you are travelling with your family, you can even drive out to the lake at night and watch the stars as you roast s’mores by the campfire, then retreat into your tent for a cosy night’s sleep in the midst of nature. The choice is yours!

Echo Lake

Address: CO-103 & Mt Evans Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439, United States

Website: Echo Lake

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3. Lake Rhoda

Lake Rhoda
Source: Photo by user Jeffrey Beall used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Previously known as West Berkeley Lake, Lake Rhoda is located near West 44th Avenue. One of the main reasons this lake grew in popularity is Lakeside Amusement Park which is a great place to visit if you have children. This amusement park ran into bankruptcy in the 1930s economic downturn,and was rescued by a businessman named Ben Krasner, who then named the lake after his daughter. Lakeside Amusement Park is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country and a great place to bring your family along for a day of fun. With the classic amusement park attractions such as the Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds and carousels, bumper cars, rollercoasters, miniature trains that you can ride, and many more, this park promises that your kids will never get bored. Lake Rhoda itself is also a great place to spend time just watching the ducks swim by. You can grab your fishing gear and try to catch some fish here or just have a cosy picnic on the banks of the lake. Another option is to take your partner on a romantic boating ride during sunset and watch the sunset in the distance behind the mountains as you row out, and watch little fish flitting about in the water below.

Lake Rhoda

Address: Lake Rhoda, Lakeside, CO 80212, USA

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4. Sloan's Lake

Sloan's Lake
Source: Photo by user Jeffrey Beall used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Sloan’s Lake is one of the most popular lakes in Colorado, and as the biggest lake in the city of Denver, it holds an important spot in the hearts of the citizens. The lake is a very popular attraction for locals who regularly come here for running, hiking, or bicycling. This is also a popular place for dog owners to bring their furry friends, so if you are a dog person, head on over to this lake to meet lots of dogs and puppies having a good time. The paths around the lake are extremely picturesque and great to take a romantic walk with your partner during sunrise or sunset. Or, you can bring your children or your friends along for a cosy picnic beside the lake. If you have younger children, they will be delighted to find plenty of play area in the vicinity of this park, including playgrounds with swings, slides and monkey bars. In addition, if you are interested in water sports, there are avenues to go canoeing or paddleboarding in the lake. If you find yourself anywhere near Colorado in the month of July, don’t miss the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, which is a must-see festival where people practise the art of Chinese dragon boat racing.

Sloan's Lake

Address: Denver, Colorado, US

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5. Summit Lake Park

SUMMIT LAKE PARK—HIGHEST IN THE USA
Source: Photo by user Barry Dale Gilfry used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Another beautiful and picturesque lake located in the midst of the Rocky Mountains is Summit Lake. Surrounded by mountains on all sides covered with frost and grassy areas, this lake is one of the very rare permafrost areas in all of America. You can find unique alpine tundra vegetation growing around this lake, which makes for incredible Instagram-worthy pictures. The lake is located in Summit Lake Park, which is a sprawling 160-acre (65-hectare) park filled with a ton of activities and great facilities to enjoy. The lake is usually closed during the winter months because it gets quite dangerous to visit, so make sure you visit it during warmer seasons. One of the most important reasons to visit this lake is its unparalleled bird-watching opportunities, and you can also witness local wildlife here including rabbits, mountain goats, marmots, and more. Some of this wildlife is not found anywhere else in the whole world, with the exception of the Arctic Circle!

Summit Lake Park

Address: Evergreen, CO 80439, United States

Website: Summit Lake Park

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Explore a unique side of Colorado

The lakes in the state of Colorado are absolutely breathtaking. Surrounded by mountains in the distance, these places are awesome to visit if you are a nature buff. So book your tickets to Denver today and witness for yourself the rustic charm of its dazzling lakes.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Being a military kid, Shamika has lived and travelled all over India, and her nomadic childhood has fueled an immense hunger and fascination for new cultures and languages (she's a polyglot!)...Read more

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