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Group in pool at Pirate's Cove
Photo courtesy Pirate’s Cove

Denver-Area Water Parks, Beaches, and Swim Centers

Dive into summer at these water spots around town.

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Denver has a surprising number of water fun for a city that can host snow anytime from September to May. When kids get antsy this summer or just want to explore their inner mermaid, check out these Denver-area water parks, beaches, and swim centers.

Photo Credit Garrett W. Ellwood/Elitch Gardens

Water Parks

Elitch Gardens Island Kingdom Water Park

Elitch Gardens’ Water Park is included with theme park admission from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and tube rental is $5 for a single, or $8 for a double. Thrill slides like the Canonball Falls and Gangplanks, and our favorite, the Mega Wedgie, a 6 story-tall aqua tube, are available for thrill seekers, as are others like Castaway Creek, an action river with geysers, water bubbles, and waterfalls. 2000 Elitch Circle, Denver

Water World

Hyland Hills’ Water World is one of the nation’s largest family water parks boasting 51 thrilling and unique attractions on 70 beautiful acres. Now in its 40th season, community-owned Water World, which has hosted more than 15 million guests over the years, is again being acknowledged as one of the best water parks in the world. The park is open daily, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (weather permitting). Admission tickets range from $24.99 to $45.99 depending on date of visit and purchase method. 8801 N. Pecos St., Federal Heights

Great Outdoors Waterpark

The Great Outdoors Waterpark (formerly the LaMont Does Outdoor Pool), hosts amenities like two 21-foot high slides, two brand new pools, a lazy river, a two-story Grand Eagle Dump Bucket, and more interactive play for families. Open May 25 to August 11. Park hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tickets are $7.50 for ages two to 17, $10 for adults ages 18-54, and $7.50 for seniors age 55 and older. 500 S. Boulder Rd., Lafayette

Pirates Cove

Fasten your eye patch, and head out to Pirates Cove after May 25 to check out the leisurely lagoon pool, the family favorite Dump Bucket, lazy river, water slides, a sand play area, and a spray garden.Prices range from $8-$16 for daily passes and $68-$282 for season passes. 1225 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton

Photo Credit City of Lakewood/Ken Papaleo

Swim Beaches

Aurora Reservoir

This suburban reservoir houses a decent sized beach for tanning swimming, paddle boarding, boating and fishing. There are lifeguards on duty to watch the kiddos and even a nature center to learn while you sun. Open May-August, 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 5800 S Powhaton Rd., Aurora

Big Soda Lake Beach

Just 20 minutes from Downtown Denver, this sandy beach offers stand-up paddleboarding, paddleboats, kayaking, sand volleyball, and sunning. There are no lifeguards on duty at this reservoir which boasts more than 800 acres of water surface, but clean bathrooms and a concession stands. 14620 Morrison Rd., Lakewood

Boulder Reservoir

Rent a boat, canoe or kayak, or, swim, fish, picnic, or enjoy the warm rays at Boulder Reservoir, or try out the concessions. This boulder area reservoir also has a lifeguard on duty. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Entry is $4 for kids three to 18, and $7 for adults, kids age two and under are free. 5565 N. 51st St., Boulder

Cherry Creek State Park

Enjoy boating, fishing, jet skiing, sailboarding, and swimming at Cherry Creek State Park. The sandy beach has a roped-off swimming area, and bathrooms at the beach for convenience. Parents should note that the beaches don’t have lifeguards on duty, so kids must be supervised at all time. 4201 S. Parker Rd., Denver

Confluence Park

After making a stop at the Downtown Aquarium or Elitch Gardens, stop by Confluence Park to watch kayakers or sunbathe on the sandy banks while marveling at views of downtown Denver. 2250 15th St., Denver

Standley Lake Regional Park

Standley Lake is the drinking water supply for Westminster, Northglenn, and Thornton, as well as a great spot for fishing, paddling, and beach fun. A day pass is $7 per vehicle, and extra for use of a paddle board, canoe, kayak, or inflatable raft. Open May 1 to September 30, sunrise to sunset. Simms St. and W. 100th Ave., Westminster

The Splash at Fossil Trace’s 500 gallon dump bucket. Photo Credit City of Golden.

Aquatic Centers

Apex Center

APEX offers 23,000 square feet of play features, spas, and a lap pool, as well as family locker rooms. With a curved 150-foot tube slide and body slide with a waterfall, and a vortex area, the center is a blast for thrill seekers. APEX also offers a play pool and an indoor play area with slides, fountains, waterfalls, and geysers. Kids age three and under must wear a swim diaper, kids age six and under must be directly supervised, and kids age nine and older can swim without adult supervision. 13150 W 72nd Ave., Arvada

Broomfield Bay Aquatic Park

Broomfield’s outdoor water park, designed for children ages one to 12, features a large pool, tot pool, body slide, tube slides, sprayground, picnic areas, and is ADA accessible. Opens on May 25. Kids age three and under are free with paying adult, kids age four to 17 are $5 resident/$7 nonresident and $5-$9 for adults. 250 Spader Way, Broomfield

Del Mar Aquatic Center

Del Mar’s water park features a water playground with two slides, a full-service concession stand, a splashdown activity pool, a zero depth entry for new swimmers, and a new bathhouse with family changing rooms. $3.50 age two to 17, $4.50 ages 18-26, $5 adults, and $4.50 for seniors. A 10-punch admission pass is available for all ages, for $25. 12000 E. Sixth Ave., Aurora

H2O’ Brien Pool

This pool is a destination for water fun with two 182′ water slides, a waterworks play structure, a concession area, and a shade pavilion for adults to enjoy a great book. Season passes are $90-$250 depending on residency, and number of family members. 10795 Victorian Dr., Parker

Hyland Hills Aquatic Centers

Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District’s three outdoor pools—Splashland, Carrol Butts, and Perl Mack—offer first-class amenities including beautiful decks with lounging and sunbathing areas, showers, locker rooms, and splash pad play areas for young children. The pools host many aquatics activities for all ages including swim lessons, water aerobics, and open swim. Pools open June 8-August 18. $2 per person, age four and up; season passes available for $20 per person.

The Splash at Fossil Trace

The largest water park in Jefferson County, The Splash at Fossil Trace houses two large body and tube water slides, a large pool with a play structure, small water slides, spray fountains, and a 500 gallon dump bucket, as well as a sand area for all ages to make sandcastles, plus a spray fountain and shaded areas for reapplying sunscreen. Daily admission is free for kids age two and under, and $5-$10.50 for other guests. 3151 Illinois St., Golden

Congress Park Pool. Courtesy of Denver Parks and Recreation.

Outdoor Pools

Denver Parks and Recreation owns and operates these 16 Denver-area pools that are open to the public from June 4 to August 12, with daily admission fees ranging from $1-$3.50.

*This post has been updated for summer 2019. 

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