Hiking in Colorado is a must year-round, but come the warmest months, it’s at its best, with pleasant temperatures and ever-scenic trails. Do you want to know another advantage of Colorado warm-weather hikes? You can work up a sweat AND cool off, as a handful of hikes in our beautiful state lead to epic swimming holes. If you are ready to take the plunge and are searching for the best swimming hole hike in Colorado, grab your towel and head to this refreshing trail.

Located a mere hour from Colorado Springs, near the small town of Florrisant, is the slice of paradise that is Paradise Cove - and the short and sweet trail that leads there.

Erina J. Wells/GoogleMaps

Spanning one mile (out-and-back), the moderately difficult Paradise Cove Swimming Hole Trail is considered to be the most beautiful hike in the area, thanks to its many trees, rocky cliffs, and - depending on the time of year - intensely colorful wildflowers.

Millie P/TripAdivsor

While this scenic trail would be awe-inspiring enough all by itself, it’s what you’ll discover at the end of the trail that makes it so memorable.

Heaban11/TripAdvisor

Arguably the most beautiful swimming hole in Colorado, Paradise Cove, is a deep pool fed by a waterfall surrounded by rugged cliffs, giving visitors an opportunity to dive at various heights.

jrog9832/TripAdvisor

As per the Bureau of Land Management, overnight camping, alcohol, fires, amplified music, and off-leash pets are not permitted in Paradise Cove (which is also known as Guffey Gorge), so please keep this in mind while you visit the area.

Karina Jimenez/AllTrails

Please note: There is no permit needed to visit the area; however, between May 15th and September 30th, there is a $6.00-per-vehicle per day fee that can be purchased onsite.

Edgardo Romero/Google Maps

 

Erina J. Wells/GoogleMaps

Millie P/TripAdivsor

Heaban11/TripAdvisor

jrog9832/TripAdvisor

Karina Jimenez/AllTrails

Edgardo Romero/Google Maps

Have you hiked this stunning trail? Do you have any tips for newbies? Let us know in the comments! For even more epic swimming holes, Here Are 11 Swimming Holes Near Denver That Will Make Your Summer Epic.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 13999 Main St, Guffey, CO 80820, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Hike With A Swimming Hole in Colorado May 07, 2021 Tori Jane What are some of the best swimming holes in Colorado?  Would you believe it if we told you that Colorado has some of the very best swimming holes in the country? It’s true! Since there are so many, it’s pretty hard to choose just one or two, but we can try. Some of the most commonly explored swim spots in Colorado include places like Paradise Cove, which is definitely named very appropriately, and Grand Lake, a beautiful spot near Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also find some great swim spots in reservoirs around the state, like Horsetooth Reservoir, and Lake Dillon (which is also known as Dillon Reservoir). This article will provide you with a list of excellent swimming holes in Colorado - so much so that you might not know where to begin!  What are the best summertime hikes in Colorado? If there’s one thing (okay… tons of things) that Colorado is great for, it’s awe-inspiring hiking trails. It’s harder to hike during the colder months, thanks to our cold and snowy winters, but during spring, summer, and even autumn, the hiking here is great. Some of the top hikes in Colorado at the time of this writing include trails and parks like Pawnee Pass, in the Indiana Peaks Wilderness, and Arapaho Pass, which is in the same area. You could also marvel at natural wonder on some of our famous trails, like Horseshoe Trail, Emerald Lake Trail (a must-see), and Royal Arch Trail. Considering that there are more than 4,000 trails for you to enjoy, you’re sure to find something amazing everywhere you turn.  Are there any hikes near water in Colorado? Plenty! Several of the previously-mentioned trails, like Emerald Lake Trail, are known for their amazing waterfront views, pristine lakes, crystal-clear rivers, and even some waterfalls! In fact, according to AllTrails.com, there are more than 100 Colorado hikes that will take you to, or past, at least one of these water-based features. We suggest visiting the breathtaking Sky Pond, via Glacier Gorge Trail, and the hike to Mt. Sneffels, though challenging, is intensely rewarding.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Hike With A Swimming Hole in Colorado

May 07, 2021

Tori Jane

What are some of the best swimming holes in Colorado?  Would you believe it if we told you that Colorado has some of the very best swimming holes in the country? It’s true! Since there are so many, it’s pretty hard to choose just one or two, but we can try. Some of the most commonly explored swim spots in Colorado include places like Paradise Cove, which is definitely named very appropriately, and Grand Lake, a beautiful spot near Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also find some great swim spots in reservoirs around the state, like Horsetooth Reservoir, and Lake Dillon (which is also known as Dillon Reservoir). This article will provide you with a list of excellent swimming holes in Colorado - so much so that you might not know where to begin!  What are the best summertime hikes in Colorado? If there’s one thing (okay… tons of things) that Colorado is great for, it’s awe-inspiring hiking trails. It’s harder to hike during the colder months, thanks to our cold and snowy winters, but during spring, summer, and even autumn, the hiking here is great. Some of the top hikes in Colorado at the time of this writing include trails and parks like Pawnee Pass, in the Indiana Peaks Wilderness, and Arapaho Pass, which is in the same area. You could also marvel at natural wonder on some of our famous trails, like Horseshoe Trail, Emerald Lake Trail (a must-see), and Royal Arch Trail. Considering that there are more than 4,000 trails for you to enjoy, you’re sure to find something amazing everywhere you turn.  Are there any hikes near water in Colorado? Plenty! Several of the previously-mentioned trails, like Emerald Lake Trail, are known for their amazing waterfront views, pristine lakes, crystal-clear rivers, and even some waterfalls! In fact, according to AllTrails.com, there are more than 100 Colorado hikes that will take you to, or past, at least one of these water-based features. We suggest visiting the breathtaking Sky Pond, via Glacier Gorge Trail, and the hike to Mt. Sneffels, though challenging, is intensely rewarding.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Would you believe it if we told you that Colorado has some of the very best swimming holes in the country? It’s true! Since there are so many, it’s pretty hard to choose just one or two, but we can try. Some of the most commonly explored swim spots in Colorado include places like Paradise Cove, which is definitely named very appropriately, and Grand Lake, a beautiful spot near Rocky Mountain National Park. You can also find some great swim spots in reservoirs around the state, like Horsetooth Reservoir, and Lake Dillon (which is also known as Dillon Reservoir). This article will provide you with a list of excellent swimming holes in Colorado - so much so that you might not know where to begin! 

What are the best summertime hikes in Colorado?

If there’s one thing (okay… tons of things) that Colorado is great for, it’s awe-inspiring hiking trails. It’s harder to hike during the colder months, thanks to our cold and snowy winters, but during spring, summer, and even autumn, the hiking here is great. Some of the top hikes in Colorado at the time of this writing include trails and parks like Pawnee Pass, in the Indiana Peaks Wilderness, and Arapaho Pass, which is in the same area. You could also marvel at natural wonder on some of our famous trails, like Horseshoe Trail, Emerald Lake Trail (a must-see), and Royal Arch Trail. Considering that there are more than 4,000 trails for you to enjoy, you’re sure to find something amazing everywhere you turn. 

Are there any hikes near water in Colorado?

Plenty! Several of the previously-mentioned trails, like Emerald Lake Trail, are known for their amazing waterfront views, pristine lakes, crystal-clear rivers, and even some waterfalls! In fact, according to AllTrails.com, there are more than 100 Colorado hikes that will take you to, or past, at least one of these water-based features. We suggest visiting the breathtaking Sky Pond, via Glacier Gorge Trail, and the hike to Mt. Sneffels, though challenging, is intensely rewarding.