During the summer, many enjoy feeling the sand between their toes, hearing the waves crash against the shore, and enjoying time at the beach. Who doesn't enjoy making a sand castle, playing in the water, and enjoying a day in the sun, smelling the water, and having a beach day? Many families enjoy going to the beach, and many kids grow up going every summer. Unfortunately, in Colorado, there is no ocean nearby, and you either have to take a long road trip or flight to get to the beach. You may not know it but there is a beautiful sandy beach you can enjoy not far from Northern Colorado that you can play at every weekend.

Where to Find a Sandy Beach Near Northern Colorado

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Getty Images

While going to the coast is nice, you can experience beaches inland as well. There are many lakes to choose from in Colorado, but one of the best sandy beaches in the region is just over a three-hour drive from Fort Collins, in Ogallala, Nebraska. Head east on CO-14 until it turns into I-76 and follow it to Ogallala, Nebraska and you can enjoy a beautiful lake with incredible beaches for the weekend in no time. The lake is big and offers a great place to go boating, kayaking, swimming, camping, and fishing. It is great to escape hot summer days, a place to use your tent or trailer, and to feel like you are far away from the middle part of the United States.

Lake McConaughy in Nebraska

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Stockbyte

Lake McConaughy is Nebraska's biggest reservoir and has over 30,000 acres to explore and enjoy. The lake is home to some incredibly big fish that have set state records, and a dam that is one of the largest of its kind in the world. If you are hoping to camp there, you will need a reservation ahead of time during peak summer season, but any other time throughout the year it is first come, first served. Some of the many fish you can expect to catch in the area if you prefer to go fishing are walleye, channel catfish, Northern pike, wiper, smallmouth, and white bass.

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With school starting up soon and the summer beginning to wind down, why not take one final trip as a family and get in a beach day or two? With how close Lake McConaughy is, you could leave on Friday after work and be back Sunday without having to take a day off. For more on the lake, make sure to click the link in the paragraph above.

10 Dangerous Colorado Rivers and Lakes You Should Know

The following lakes and rivers have earned a reputation for catching visitors off guard. Scroll through the list and find out why knowing the risks could make your next adventure much safer.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

These Are Colorado’s Five Biggest Inland Lakes

Colorado's largest lakes are also home to some of our state's best fishing, hiking, and camping destinations. Let's take a closer look at the biggest inland lakes in Colorado by scrolling through the top five in the photo gallery below.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams