There is never a bad time to head out on vacation to The Centennial State. Colorado is a unique state that has a little bit of everything. From alpine peaks to the famous for a reason Rocky Mountains-there are a lot of places to visit and enjoy.
In addition, Colorado is home to many beautiful lakes. Each of these lakes has unique characteristics and charm that will impress anyone looking for a memorable vacation. The best of them all are the blue lakes, which are incredibly popular among tourists and locals alike. Below is a list of Colorado’s top blue lakes and their features.
1 Lake Granby
Lake Granby in Colorado, USA
Located in Grand County near the Rocky Mountain National Park, Lake Granby is one of the best blue lakes in Colorado and is also the largest natural body of water in the state by area. It is also the third-largest water body in Colorado. Lake Granby provides visitors with a plethora of activities. It offers exceptional boating experiences thanks to its expansive area. There are also several marinas around the lake that offer boat rental services, as well as dock and slip rentals. The scenery around the lake is so great that the entire area itself deserves a place in the list of the most beautiful US lake towns.
Visitors can enjoy several watersports, including water skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. Camping is also a popular activity, with the lake being surrounded by several campgrounds, including the Arapaho Bay Campground and Sunset Point Campground. These campgrounds offer everything from tent and RV camping to cabins and yurts.
2 Grand Lake
A person stand up paddle boarding at Grand Lake, Colorado, USA
Located approximately 120 miles northwest of Denver, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Grand Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in Colorado and offers some of the best lake vacations in the US. The lake’s blue waters and picturesque coves make for a great sight. Visitors can enjoy boating, fishing, and camping at nearby campgrounds.
As the largest natural lake in Colorado, boaters can take advantage of its expansive area. The lake also boasts over 1,300 miles of shoreline, which provides the perfect setting to enjoy the water. In addition, Grand Lake is surrounded by beautiful forests and mountain peaks, which make for beautiful scenery.
3 Dillon Reservoir
A view of Lake Dillon in Colorado
Dillon Reservoir is a full-scale recreational paradise that offers visitors plenty of wonderful activities. It is located approximately 70 miles southwest of Denver, in Summit County. Lake Dillon offers visitors excellent boating and water sports experiences. Boat rentals and boat slip rentals are available at the Dillon Marina. Boat rentals include wave runners, houseboats, speedboats, pontoon boats, and fishing boats. Lake Dillon also has miles of recreational waterways for paddlers to enjoy.
4 Blue Mesa Reservoir
View of snowcapped mountains near Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir is located in Gunnison County and is the biggest water body in the state. The lake is located inside Curecanti National Recreation Area, along Gunnison River. Blue Mesa Reservoir is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and mountains, which makes for stunning vistas. The area is perfect for hiking, fishing, boating, water sports, and camping. Campers can choose from several campgrounds, including Elk Creek Campground, Stevens Creek Campground, and Cimarron Campground.
5 Crater Lake
Viewpoint looking over Crater Lake
Crater Lake is a small mountain lake that’s located in the Elk Mountains in Pitkin County. This amazing lake lies just northeast of Pyramid Peak, a fourteen thousand-foot summit that is one of Colorado’s 53 fourteeners. The lake also lies northeast of the Maroon Bells. These are two peaks in the Elk Mountains, which form another Colorado state landmark. Crater Lake offers amazing views of those two attractions, making it earn a place on the list of Colorado’s most breathtaking lakes. Hiking is a popular activity here, along with wildlife viewing, camping, fishing, and boating.
6 Bear Lake
Scenic View of the Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Bear Lake is a small natural lake that’s located in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Although small, it has a lot to offer visitors. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and lush forests, offering great views for visitors. This makes it an ideal destination for photographers and nature lovers. Hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing are popular activities in this area, thanks to the availability of the respective trails. Fishing is also a common activity, with the lake offering a wide variety of fish species. There are also several camping grounds inside the park, including the Glacier Basin Campground.
7 Turquoise Lake
Natural water slides in San Isabel National Forest, Colorado, USA, the forest that surrounds Turquoise Lake
Turquoise Lake is an artificial reservoir that sits above the Sugar Loaf Dam west of Leadville in Lake County. The beautiful lake earned its name from the stunning blue color of its waters, which resembles a giant turquoise. It is surrounded by the towering peaks of the San Isabel National Forest. This makes for a striking backdrop that offers visitors breathtaking views. The area offers excellent fishing opportunities along with camping, boating, hiking, biking, and skiing.
8 Lake San Cristobal
The San Juan Mountains, near Lake San Cristobal, Colorado
Lake San Cristobal is located in the San Juan Mountains and is surrounded by stunning peaks and the Gunnison National Forest. This makes for a breathtaking sight that every nature lover yearns for. The lake itself offers excellent fishing opportunities, along with camping and boating. Lake San Cristobal also has several trails that offer good hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.
9 Hanging Lake
A waterfall near Hanging Lake
Hanging Lake is one of the best lake vacations in Colorado. Hanging Lake is a hidden gem in Colorado’s Glenwood Canyon and is surrounded by a perfect setting of karst cliffs, lush vegetation, and waterfalls. The lake is fed by underground springs. These and many other features have made it to be recognized as a natural wonder of the state of Colorado. Hiking, camping, and photography are popular activities here. The trail leading to this lake is a bit challenging, but it’s well worth the effort.
10 Emerald Lake
Family on summer vacation hiking on Emerald Lake Trail, next to Dream Lake, exploring Colorado mountains in Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado.
Emerald Lake is a small natural lake that’s located inside the Rocky Mountain National Park. The hike to Emerald Lake is moderately strenuous but offers stunning views of the surrounding wilderness, including dense forests, waterfalls, and meadows. Once visitors have made it to the lake, they will be rewarded with amazing views of the lake’s turquoise blue waters. Indeed, it’s one of the bluest lakes in Colorado. The lake and its surroundings also offer visitors plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities and hiking trails.