OK, Colorado is not like a lot of other states. Not much water. And so topographically slanted that the water rarely gathers in one place. People who move from other states with memories of the old swimmin' hole are often disappointed, but there are a few places worth checking out.
First: Lake Pueblo State Park's Rock Canyon Swim Beach , which boasts a large sandy beach, shaded picnic areas (with grills provided), a locker/shower room, and plenty of room for swimming. plus a five-story water slide, bumper boats, and paddle boats. .Open Memorial Day to Labor Day, 11 AM to 7 PM.
Entrance Fee $1
Don't feel like driving?
Prospect Lake, downtown, has a fairly nice, free swim beach, and now the lake actually has water.
For directions click here.
Finally, if you really want to find a sweet hole, we'll let you in on a secret: The Grotto.
This is a longtime favorite on the hidden back of Pikes Peak. We'll leave directions purposefully vague to protect it from the less ambitious and imaginative skinny dipper, but here goes.
Take highway 50 west of Canon City, then go north on Highway 9. At County Road #11, take a right. Drive for 15 minutes or so until you come over a hill. There is a parking area on the left, with a sign that had the various BLM regulations posted for the area. Good Luck.
4 comments:
There was a photo of a sweet little swimming hole shown on KOAA the other morning. Weather guy Craig wouldn't reveal its location other than to say it's near Trinidad.
Anyone who cares to share the secret can e-mail one of us. dave.philipps@gazette.com, deb.acord@gazette.com, dena.rosenberry@gazette.com
What about Stratton Reservoir on the south side of Pikes Peak?
Anyone willing to share any swimhole secret....hm...-maybe we need to start a "paying" site. After all, I'd be willing to pay for a site that only "serious" swimholers were into.
I've been to "The Grotto" the directions arent vague, they inaccurate! Its in Park County kinda between Cripple Creek and Guffey....take U.S. 24 from CO Springs passing through Woodland Park, then take Teller County Rd. 1 til you come to CO rd 11, turn on County rd 112 crossing into Park County and when it becomes Park County rd. 102 the parking lot will be less than a mile
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