Just eight miles from Boulder, tucked beneath the towering sandstone cliffs of Eldorado Canyon State Park, sits one of Colorado’s most legendary summer destinations: Eldorado Springs Pool.

When the massive spring-fed pool opened in 1906, it was widely advertised as the largest swimming pool in the United States. Carved into the dramatic mouth of the canyon and filled with crystal-clear artesian spring water, it quickly became one of the biggest attractions in Colorado.

The resort itself actually began a year earlier. On July 4, 1905, it opened as Moffat Lakes Resort and almost immediately earned the nickname “Coney Island of the West.” Early visitors arrived by train on the Colorado & Southern Railroad or by horseback to experience the cool mineral-rich waters and mountain scenery.

Its popularity surged so quickly that multiple pools were added. The grand concrete pool that still stands today opened in 1906 and was promoted nationwide as America’s biggest swimming pool.

The resort’s peak glory years came during the early 1900s through the 1920s. Summer attendance often topped 60,000 visitors. The grand Eldorado Hotel opened in 1908, offering top rooms for just $2.50 a night.

Guests enjoyed a full lineup of entertainment, including a dance pavilion, carnival-style midway games, roller-skating, fishing, and more. The mineral springs water—naturally around 78 to 82 degrees and rich in electrolytes—was the main attraction. That same spring system still supplies Eldorado Natural Spring Water sold across the country today.

No story about Eldorado Springs is complete without legendary tightrope walker Ivy Baldwin. From 1906 to 1948, Baldwin crossed the canyon 86 times on a wire stretched roughly 635 feet across and suspended 582 feet above the ground.

His final crossing came on his 82nd birthday in 1948, this time on a lower and safer cable at the urging of his family. Crowds packed the canyon walls to watch the death-defying feat.

Hollywood glamour found its way to Eldorado Springs too. Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, W.C. Fields, and boxer Jack Dempsey all reportedly visited. According to local lore, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Mamie Eisenhower honeymooned in a nearby cabin.

Eldorado Canyon State Park

Hard times followed. Devastating fires and the massive 1938 flood—often called a 100-year flood—nearly destroyed the property. Buildings were wiped out, and the pool suffered heavy damage. Ownership changed hands over the years, but dedicated families kept the dream alive. The springs never stopped flowing.

After closing for several years, the historic pool reopened in August 2024 following major renovations. It welcomed a full 2025 season and continues strong into 2026.

Today, the pool blends vintage charm with modern safety upgrades while preserving its iconic sandstone cliff backdrop. It ranks among the oldest historic public swimming pools in the United States.

The pool operates seasonally, typically from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with daily hours around 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lifeguards are on duty, a snack bar serves visitors, and the spring-fed water still feels as refreshing as ever.

Day-use tickets are available online, and the pool makes the perfect stop after a hike in the adjacent state park.

The original “biggest in the country” scale may be gone, but the spirit remains.

Every lap connects swimmers to more than a century of Colorado history—from railroad day-trippers and celebrity visitors to tightrope legends and resilient locals who refused to let the resort fade away.

Eldorado Springs Pool isn’t just a place to swim. It’s living proof that some legends only get better with age.

If you’re in Boulder this summer, make the short drive and jump into the same water that once made national headlines.

You’ll quickly understand why this place has always been a record-breaker.

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