Life at the Lake = Reservoir Fun!
July 4, 2017
Reservoir fun in the master-planned community of Southshore means you have access to recreation in, on and under the water at the Aurora Reservoir every day of the week.
With outside air temperatures hitting 90 degrees lately and water temperatures in the high 60s – it’s time to take a dip in the 880 acres of H20 at the Aurora Reservoir!
Do the Swim!
Lifeguards are on duty from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition to the beach, you’ll also find a kids’ swim area, where youngsters can float and paddle around. For adults, there’s a 100-yard swim lane farther out, where you can get the kinks out of your back stroke, or tread water and work out your quads and ham strings.
Did you know water exercise burns 145 to 300 calories in 30 minutes? For a more intense workout, head for the open water training area near the scuba diving location.
Atop the Water
The staff at the Reservoir is ready to rent you kayaks and stand up paddle boards (SUPs) at $15 per hour. They’ll help you pick out the kayak or SUP that fits your experience and size, and get you launched into the water.
The SUPs are for one person; kayaks hold two and are the sit-on-top variety, which are easier to maneuver and less likely to capsize.
While fishing is forbidden from kayaks and SUPs (we can’t even imagine how you’d pull that off!) paddling around the marina is great fun by itself! You’ll get oars or a paddle and life vests, and the Aurora Reservoir staff will give you instructions on how to paddle, and help you get in and out of the boat(s).
Plus, you’ll get a whistle to alert the rangers who are always trolling the lake in case you need any help. Check out these guidelines for more information about age restrictions and weight standards on rental boats.
Bring Your Own Boat
If you want to catch a fish out on the water, you may have to bring your own non-motorized fishing boat or sailboat. Any boat that contains a live well for bait, or any vessel launched from a trailer will require a $10 watercraft access sticker and must go through a boat inspection. If you plan to catch anything with fins, be sure you have your fishing license with you!
Under the Water
The separate scuba beach has covered picnic tables with changing rooms, work-benches for your equipment, lockers and an outdoor restroom.
When you scuba down, you’ll see underwater wildlife — crawdads (some are big enough to eat!) and small fish – and a plane wreckage. The submerged Cessna 310 sits at a depth of about 45 feet, and is marked with a buoy.
Colorado Divers or Denver Divers both rent equipment for day dives, from BCDs (buoyancy control devices), regulators and scuba tanks to dive watches and wetsuits.
Vehicle and Rental Fees
You’ll pay $10 at the entrance to drive your car onto the property, and for an additional $15 you can get a scuba gate key and placard to drive directly to the beach to load and unload gear. Kayaks and SUPs are $15 an hour, and additional life vests are $10.
Pack a picnic lunch and make plans for a lake getaway minutes from your front door!
Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Rd., Aurora
Every Day 5:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Until October 1)
Reservoir Life at Southshore
Summertime is the best time at Southshore, the master-planned community in Aurora right next to an 880-acre recreational goldmine! Tour the brand new models from Richmond American Homes, and Century Communities at The Hills in Southshore! The brand-new ranch and two-story homes are priced from the upper $300s to the $700s.