Chatfield Gravel Pond Littleton Open Water Swimming

Chatfield Gravel Pond, located within Chatfield State Park south of Denver, ranks among Colorado’s premier open water swimming venues. The south gravel pond is spring-fed, maintaining notably better water quality than many Front Range swimming locations. The pond stretches approximately 900 meters from the westside north end to the eastside south end cove, with a gravel bar positioned about 250 meters from the westside north end, providing excellent landmarks for swimmers to plan swim routes.

Access to the gravel ponds requires entry through Chatfield State Park at 11500 North Roxborough Park Road. Daily passes cost $8 per car, while annual Colorado Parks passes run $70 and provide unlimited access. The location offers basic facilities and spectacular views of Waterton Canyon and the surrounding foothills. Swimming is permitted from sunup to sundown, with rangers actively enforcing these hours.

Connect with Chatfield Gravel Pond Swimmers at https://www.facebook.com/chatfieldgps for organized group swims. This U.S. Masters Swimming affiliated group operates from Memorial Day through September 30th, with sessions on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM, Monday and Wednesday evenings from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday mornings from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM. USMS membership is required for participation, and swimmers must volunteer for monitoring/check-in sessions. The pond has attracted open water swimmers for nearly three decades and maintains the highest concentration of non-wetsuit swimmers on the Colorado Front Range, though triathletes training in wetsuits are equally welcome.

Multiple informal groups also use the pond, including Denver Squid, which hosts Wednesday evening swims at 6:00 PM during summer months. The pond’s moderate length makes it ideal for interval training, with swimmers in this group completing one or two out-and-backs covering 1,800 to 3,600 meters. Surface water temperatures range from 45-55°F in early May, quickly warming into the 60s through June and reaching the 70s by midsummer. Water quality information is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the pond’s spring-fed nature helps maintain consistently good conditions throughout the season. The site’s protection from power boats and proximity to the Denver metro area make it an exceptional training venue.