Boulder County’s Best Summer Attractions
01 Jun 2018
Put These on Your Boulder County Bucket List
By Valerie Gleaton Ahhh, summer in Boulder County. Generally sunny and warm, true “scorchers” are rare, and even when they occur, there’s usually an afternoon thunderstorm to break the heat. You can sleep late and still pack in a full day of adventure, or get up with the sun for an early-morning hike and then nap until it’s time to eat dinner—al fresco, preferably. Best of all, you don’t have to venture far afield to find plenty of ways to while away the time, from iconic attractions and events to some hidden gems. Just remember: the days are long, but fall will be here in a flash, so get outside and fill your summer with all Boulder County has to offer.
Hike, Bike & Climb
Suggesting you go for a hike in Colorado is a little like telling a tourist to check out the Eiffel Tower while they’re in Paris—it’s so obvious that it almost doesn’t bear mentioning. But that would be a mistake, because hiking really is the ultimate summer activity and one of the easiest and cheapest ways to explore Boulder County. The key to a great summer hike is to get out early to avoid the aforementioned afternoon thunderstorms. Because no matter how beautiful the view from the summit, it’s not where you want to be when lightning strikes.
Swim, Sunbathe & SUP
There’s something surreal about swimming and sunning while gazing up at mountains still capped with snow. And it’s an experience you can enjoy at lots of local swimming holes. Swim out to the floating docks and soak up the sun at Boulder Reservoir. Take a stand-up paddleboarding lesson or fish for walleye at Union Reservoir in Longmont. Go for a spin around Waneka Lake in Lafayette in a paddleboat shaped like a giant pink flamingo. Or simply splash around in the historic Eldorado Pool in Eldorado Springs, which is fed by a natural artesian spring and then heated to a constant 80 degrees.
