Congestion. Crowding. Traffic. These are the talk of the town as more people move into Denver. I spend an hour each way on my daily commute in what used to take half that time. Some days, it starts to feel a bit suffocating.

Thankfully, we live in the amazing state of Colorado, where we are lucky to escape the crowds with a short jaunt up in elevation. The Rocky Mountains are a playground full of recreational opportunities and open spaces where the crowds are left behind.

Some of these wonderful recreational opportunities pull double-duty in the form of Denver Water’s mountain reservoirs. Need to get away? Here are five locations we think are worth checking out.

Williams Fork Reservoir

Disconnect from electronic distractions and reconnect with nature at Williams Fork Reservoir — the perfect place to slow down and take in the beauty of Colorado. Free camping is available for tents, trailers and RVs on a first-come, first-served basis. Enjoy boating, kayaking, fishing and hiking by day; campfire songs and stargazing at night.

Gross Reservoir

Completed in 1954, this reservoir hails its name from Denver Water former Chief Engineer Dwight D. Gross. A short, scenic drive from Denver, Gross Reservoir is full of recreational opportunities, such as canoeing, kayaking, fishing and hiking. It’s also a great spot for a day trip complete with picnic.

Antero Reservoir

Being the first dam on the South Platte River close to the river’s origin, Antero has been a favorite trout fishing hole. After being closed since 2015 for important upgrades to the dam and reservoir, this popular fishing spot will reopen June 5. You can fish from shore or hop in hand-launched watercraft, like kayaks, canoes, belly boats, but motorized boats aren’t allowed until further notice. Camping is available as well. Geology lovers can revel in the extinct volcano that sits near the reservoir.

Dillon Reservoir

Just west of the Eisenhower Tunnel sits the Town of Dillon, home to Dillon Reservoir, which is overflowing with recreational opportunities. You can hop in a canoe, kayak, sailboat or motorboat and enjoy water activities on the reservoir. Fishing is allowed in the reservoir and the Blue River, and enthusiasts can catch arctic char, a species rarely found in the lower 48. Dillon includes 344 campsites, and there are trails for hiking and bicycling. Throw in a few rounds of disc golf at the Lake Dillon course for a great way to enjoy the beauty of Summit County in a day, or a weekend.

Waterton Canyon

It’s hard to talk recreation without including Waterton Canyon — a popular metro-area destination that gets very busy in the summer, especially during the weekends. With a trailhead just a short drive past Chatfield Reservoir, the canyon offers a 6.5-mile hike to Strontia Springs Dam. It also connects to the Colorado Trail, which continues above the reservoir and all the way down to Durango.

Waterton is a great area to get the family out for fishing, bicycling, horseback riding and picnicking. Keep your eyes out for wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mule deer and more than 40 species of birds. For the protection of the bighorn sheep, dogs are not allowed in the canyon, so leave your furry friends at home for this one.

(Note: The canyon will be closed to public access starting Monday, June 5, and reopening Saturday, June 10, at 7 a.m., for Denver Water’s annual dust mitigation project. For more on why Waterton Canyon is such a great attraction — and why we’ve so often had to close its gates — read, “The ‘trails’ and tribulations of Waterton Canyon.”)

So the next time you are feeling a bit cramped in the city, pack up the car and head to one of these recreational gems for a great staycation. Fresh air included.