The canyon also gives adventurers some great swimming opportunities in water that is pleasantly warmer than many of our other favorite swimming holes. If you're coming from Aspen, follow Colorado 82 west to the traffic circle. Big Dominguez Canyon ( directions and details here ) is actually a collection of excellent swimming holes south of Grand Junction connected by the Gunnison River. Proceed with caution. One is located near Marble (which is a fun, albeit dusty, hike) while the other one is near Aspen. Pack a towel, grab some sunscreen, throw on those Chacos and hit the trail to these 10 watering holes found in the western U.S. 1. Many of them are only accessible during summer, and boast picturesque scenery, chilling refreshing water, and countless opportunities for fun. A little muddy but the weather was perfect this time of year. Some nice petroglyphs up Big Domingues. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism But there are also certain areas along the Gunnison River that are too dangerous to swim in, especially during high springtime runoff. The water is freezing, so be prepared with dry clothes to prevent hypothermia (yes, even in the summer.) max-width: 930px; Seen in: Colorado, Rockies, Swimming Holes. Jackson Lake State Park attracts visitors from all over the state with its sandy beaches and gorgeous campsites. This natural sanctuary in Saguache County is a wonderful spot for a weekend adventure. Or shall we say, on the shores of Mystic Island Lake is a fine place to camp. 04:58. Songbirds are prevalent in the spring and summer months, so expect to hear some larks and birdsongs as you laze the day away. } Related Read:12 Best Places to Visit in Colorado for Unforgettable Adventures, After romping around Manitou Springs or hiking up Pikes Peak (which tops out at more than 14,000 feet above sea level), take a dip in Paradise Cove (also known as Guffey Gorge). Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Fill up water before the trail strays form the river. Dominguez Canyon Aspen, Colorado 36.7 miles N Multiple swimming holes along an 6-8 mile minimum (round trip) hike in the Dominguez Canyon of the Gunnison River and joining the canyons of Little Dominguez Creek and Big Dominguez. HIKE BIG DOMINGUEZ CANYON. Trail was hard to follow at times but never hard to find. I could see all of the cracks and crevasses that break the rocks into pieces, yet they hold together so tightly that it seems magical. If you're planning a trip to any of these sites, please follow the principles of Leave No Trace. } What to expect: The hike through Big Dominguez Canyon is epic all . --> Where: 2 miles north of . Divers beware, though: you do this at your own risk since no one is there to save you if something should go wrong. Lena Lang in The Joy Fuck Club #2. asian. From
Its a steep hike to the lakes and at seven miles roundtrip, you wont want to bring too much with you. Bob Wick. Waterfalls are awesome and Colorado has a shit-load of them. View full map. While the site is known for hiking, primitive camping and petroglyph hunting, there is also an impressive grouping of waterfalls and swimming holes. You should probably go in the morning during the summer because shade is hard to come by. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. On top of all the magnificent scenery, the conversation area also features petroglyphs and archaic rock shelters. Instead of complaining about the heat, take advantage of this time to journey to a few of Colorados best swimming holes. The one . Pagosa Hot Springshas the title of deepest geothermal hot spring in the world (at 1,002 feet deep.) Trails as well maintained with beautiful views and a lot of look out points. width: 0; Cold. Photo Credit: Deborah Frazier. That one flip that you try to do to impress your new girlfriend might not go as planned if you dont check the depth and temperature before jumping in. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, , an expansive body of water, and a little slice of heaven for Fort Collins residents. The Gunnison River supplies water to the Big Dominguez Canyon's swimming pools. . I am sharing my journeys and experiences from across the world hoping to inspire travel and adventure in all who read. Sarah is an ecologist-turned-freelance writer specializing in the ecotourism and slow/sustainable travel industry. The uppermost waterfall along the Turkey Path at Leonard Harrison State Park. On the hike out, I saw lots of rafters setting up camp, so I decided that my next trip to the canyon needed to be an overnight backpacking trip! Always make sure the water levels are deep enough for a jump.