Beat the heat in a pool or lake

Summer heat is no joke, and swimming is great exercise and it’s most kids’ favorite summertime activity. Not everyone has a neighborhood pool right down the street, so we’ve collected a list of fun and accessible places to swim in northern Colorado.

Fort Collins

City Park Pool ( www.fcgov.com/recreation/cityparkpool )

1599 City Park Dr, In Fort Collins City Park, 970-221-6658

Outside pool, features slides, and little kids’ water park, concessions.

Horsetooth Reservoir ( www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/horsetooth-reservoir )

While swimming is allowed most places in the reservoir, there is a swimming beach, specifically. Larimer County roads 38E and 23, west of Fort Collins.

Fee: $7 per vehicle daily

Mulberry Pool ( www.fcgov.com/recreation/mulberrypool.php )

424 W Mulberry St, Fort Collins, 970-221-6657

Inside pool, features lap lanes, diving board, slides.

Greeley

Discovery Bay Pool ( www.greeleygov.com/activities/recreation/aquatics )

715 E 24th St, Greeley, 970-350-9485

Features water park, big and small slides, and lots of space for families to set up with tables and umbrellas.

Greeley Recreation Center Pool ( www.greeleygov.com/activities/recreation/aquatics )

651 10th Ave, Greeley, 970-350-9400

Indoor pool featuring lap swimming, open swim, and lessons of all types.

Loveland

Boyd Lake ( https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/boydlake )

Larimer County Road 11C between Fort Collins and Loveland

Fee: $8 per vehicle daily

Carter Lake ( www.larimer.org/naturalresources/parks/carter-lake )

Larimer County Road 31, about 7 miles southwest of Loveland.

The only place you can legally swim is the Carter Lake swim beach located at Carter Lake Dam No. 2 on the east side of the lake.

Fee: $8 per vehicle per day

Chilson Pool ( www.lovgov.org/services/parks-recreation/chilson-recreation-center/swimming )

700 E 4th St, Loveland, 970-962-2386

Indoor ap, leisure pool with play features, and outdoor and indoor hot tub are open; steam room is coming soon.

Lake Loveland Swim Beach ( www.lovgov.org/services/parks-recreation/parks-facilities/parks-reservation-spaces/north-lake-park )

2626 N. Taft Ave., Loveland, 970-962-2727

At the time of print, the beach was not yet open due to filling lifeguard positions; check the website for opening dates.

Winona Outdoor Pool ( www.lovgov.org/Home/Components/ServiceDirectory/ServiceDirectory/102/1765 )

1615 Fourth St. SE, (adjacent to Osborn Park), Loveland, 970-962-2435

Features a large, cyclone slide and is near a playground. Offers swimming lessons and classes.

Windsor

Chimney Park Pool ( https://www.recreationliveshere.com/166/Chimney-Park-Pool )

421 Chimney Park Dr. Windsor, 970-674-0826

Outdoor pool with separate kiddie pool, concessions and water slide.

Windsor Community Recreation Center (https://www.recreationliveshere.com/167/Community-Recreation-Center)

250 North 11th St., Windsor, 970-674-3500Windsor250 North 11th Street 

Lap lanes, lazy river, hot tub, zero-depth entry with play feature.