A few weeks ago, Reader’s Digest released a report the sought to highlight the ‘best lakes for swimming in the U.S. this summer’ and one Colorado spot was included.

Dubbed one of the country’s ‘most swimmable lakes,’ the state’s largest natural body of water was featured – Grand Lake, which spans about 515 surface acres. Located in Grand County, this spot offers what’s undoubtedly one of the state’s most stunning mountains-meet-the-water scenes, and the area comes complete with ample outdoor recreation opportunities to match.

Swimming is indeed one of the activities allowed at the lake, with a beach area located near the Headwaters Marina. Other popular activities at the lake include boating, paddleboarding, fishing, and picnicking, with a visit to this spot sure to be a blast for the whole family if approached in a responsible way.

While swimming is permitted at Grand Lake (some restrictions may apply), the potentially deadly risks of cold water shock can not be overlooked. Given that Grand Lake is located at an elevation of 8,439 feet, water stays cold throughout much of the year and water that’s even in that 70-degree-range can still be potentially immobilizing for some. The water temperature of Grand Lake was last estimated to be about 65 degrees, as of July 29.

Essentially, immersion in cold water can raise blood pressure, cause cramping, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms of shock, thus it can result in a person being unable to swim regardless of their abilities. For this reason, life jacket use is highly recommended for anyone getting in the water at Grand Lake and the presence of a life jacket per each person is required for those on watercraft, including paddleboards, kayaks, and otherwise.

The lack of proper life jacket use is a factor in the vast majority of the many water deaths that occur in Colorado each year. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, about 90 percent of people who drown aren’t wearing life jackets.

Grand Lake is indeed a great water destination in Colorado, not just for the swimming that it offers, but for other forms of water recreation, too. Plus, the town of Grand Lake is awesome and has great summer vibes. That said, don’t forget to keep safety in mind during your visit. Wear a life jacket if you’re getting in the water and keep track of everyone in your group to help prevent tragedy.

Find the full Reader’s Digest report on ‘best swimming lakes’ here.

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