Colorado State Parks Near Denver

Cherry Creek State Park

Distance from Denver: About 15 miles southeast (20–30 minutes)

Just minutes from downtown Denver in neighboring Aurora, you'll encounter a magnificent outdoor recreation paradise in Cherry Creek State Park. Anchored around an 880-surface-acre reservoir, the park's natural prairie environment of gently rolling terrain is blanketed in native western wheatgrass and needle-and-thread swaying in the breeze. As you stroll through cottonwood groves and wetlands, keep an eye out for urban wildlife, including red-tailed hawks, white-tailed deer, spiny softshell turtles and barred tiger salamanders.

Top Things to Do in Cherry Creek State Park

• Soak up the Colorado sun on the sandy beach and swimming area. The swim beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, and there's a bathhouse with restrooms located nearby. 
• Bike, hike or jog on 15 miles of paved trails (35 total miles of multi-use trails).
• Go boating, sailing, jet skiing, paddleboarding, waterskiing, windsurfing — pretty much any water sport you can think of! The park offers boat launches on both the east and west sides of the reservoir. In the winter, the frozen lake and surrounding trails are perfect for ice skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Fun Fact: In 1993, Cherry Creek State Park hosted the single largest event in Colorado State Parks’ history when over 375,000 people gathered for a prayer vigil and papal mass with Pope John Paul II as part of International World Youth Day.
 

Chatfield State Park

Distance from Denver: About 20 miles southwest (30–40 minutes)

Float your boat on the reservoir, bicycle or hike more than 30 miles of trails along the South Platte River through prairie grasses dotted with yucca and wildflowers, camp under expansive skies, go horseback riding or even fly a model airplane — all at Chatfield State Park. Tucked along the Front Range southwest of Denver in Littleton, the park sits on land rich in prehistoric history, with fossil discoveries dating back thousands of years. Watch for pelicans gliding over the water, listen for birdsong in the brush and spot deer, foxes and coyotes moving quietly through the grass.

Top Things to Do in Chatfield State Park

• Explore Chatfield's 1,500 surface-acre reservoir. It's beloved by boaters of all types, from sailors, kayakers and paddleboarders to water skiers and fishers. The swim beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Fuel up at Seagull's — a floating restaurant in the Chatfield Marina. 
• Grab your binoculars: The park is home to more than 340 bird species, including water birds like loons, mergansers and herons, and songbirds like yellow-breasted chats, towhees, tanagers and more.
• Drift through the early morning sky above Chatfield’s open landscape in a colorful hot-air balloon. 
   

Roxborough State Park

Distance from Denver: About 25 miles southwest (40–50 minutes)

Just a short drive south from Chatfield, you'll find Roxborough State Park, home to dramatic red rock formations that rise from the earth at striking angles. Shaped over millions of years, these tilted sandstone slabs frame a landscape of Gambel oak, prairie grasses and seasonal wildflowers, where mule deer, elk and a variety of birds move quietly through the terrain. The park also holds a rich human story: Paleo-Indians hunted mammoths here thousands of years ago, and later Indigenous peoples adapted, traded and left behind tools and pottery.

Top Things to Do in Roxborough State Park

• Tour the rock formations around the Fountain Valley Trail in an electric golf cart. Free guided tours are offered Mondays and Fridays, June through September, and feature a wide variety of wildlife and geological features.​
• Discover the park's cultural history through some of the artifacts that have been found here, from stone pieces and pottery to Clovis stone tools and fluted spear points.
• The Audubon Society recognizes Roxborough as an Important Bird Area. Join a guided birding hike led by a park naturalist, or take a solo stroll and add burrowing owls, lazuli buntings and more your life list.
   

Eldorado Canyon State Park 

Distance from Denver: About 30 miles northwest (35–45 minutes)

Tucked away just minutes from Boulder, Eldorado Canyon State Park is a true hidden gem where towering sandstone cliffs rise dramatically above South Boulder Creek. Hike beneath golden rock walls, picnic to the sound of rushing water or watch climbers scale the canyon’s sheer, sunlit faces. The park supports abundant wildlife, from mule deer and bighorn sheep to golden eagles and other raptors nesting high on the cliffs. With its striking geology, diverse habitats and sense of quiet seclusion, Eldorado Canyon feels worlds away.

Top Things to Do in Eldorado Canyon State Park 

• Rock climbers take note: Eldorado Canyon offers over 500 technical routes, luring climbers from around the world to challenge their skills on its golden cliffs.
• Hike or mountain bike the picturesque trails that vary from easy to difficult and connect with Boulder's legendary trail systems. A favorite among locals: The 3.6-mile Rattlesnake Gulch Loop Trail leads to the ruins of the Crags Hotel and, a little farther on, to a breathtaking Continental Divide overlook.
• Cool off at the historic Eldorado Springs Pool just outside the park, where mineral-rich, spring-fed water has drawn visitors for more than a century beneath towering canyon walls.
   

Timed Entry ​Reservation 

Visitors accessing Eldorado Canyon State Park in their vehicle must have a Timed Entry ​Reservation to enter on Saturdays, Sundays and summer holidays (Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day) from May 1 through Oct. 1.

Make a reservation in advance through CPWShop.com, then print or save the reservation confirmation (e.g., print, download or screenshot) and present it upon arrival at the park. Cell phone connectivity is very poor, and you will be turned away if you cannot provide proof of reservation. If you arrive at the first timed entry window between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., you MUST have the reservation confirmation printed and displayed on your dashboard. 

Reservations are not required for those using the shuttle, walking, biking or riding a horse.

St. Vrain State Park

Distance from Denver: About 30 miles north (35–45 minutes)

Formerly known as Barbour Ponds, St. Vrain State Park in Longmont is a peaceful retreat where water, wildlife and wide-open views come together in a network of ponds and wetlands. The park is a haven for anglers, birders, photographers and anyone looking to slow down and connect with nature. Stroll past cottonwood-lined shores and willow-fringed ponds, where osprey and kingfishers dive for prey and beavers and deer appear along the water’s edge. With scenic campsites, abundant fishing spots and a backdrop of distant mountain peaks, it’s an easygoing escape with something for every kind of outdoor enthusiast.

Top Things to Do in St. Vrain State Park

• Birdwatching is BIG here. St. Vrain is home to the largest great blue heron rookery in the state. In addition to these year-round residents, visitors can observe migrating waterfowl, songbirds and raptors. During the winter, the park is home to magnificent bald eagles.
• Fishing is the other major draw. The well-stocked ponds offer bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, perch, catfish and rainbow trout. Trout fishing is excellent during the spring and fall. 
• Swim, paddle or boat the ponds. Enjoy a refreshing dip, explore by kayak or canoe, or head to Blue Heron Reservoir for boating with easy launch access.
   

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Distance from Denver: About 30 miles northwest (45–55 minutes)

Spanning more than 12,000 acres, Golden Gate Canyon State Park is one of the largest state parks near Denver. Over 35 miles of trails wind through subalpine forests, open meadows and along clear, rushing creeks, passing ancient rock formations and the ruins of historic homestead cabins. Along the way, you might spot moose, bobcats or Steller’s jays among the trees before stopping at Panorama Point Scenic Overlook for sweeping views of more than 100 miles of the Continental Divide. 

Top Things to Do in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

• Hunting is permitted in the Jefferson County portion of the Park from the Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day. Or cast a line in any stream or pond within the park except for the Visitor Center Show Pond. 
• Explore the park on two wheels — or four legs. Mountain bikers and horseback riders have access to approximately 19 miles of multi-use trails.
• Stay overnight at Reverend’s Ridge Campground, book a cozy cabin or yurt, or head into the backcountry for a secluded backpacking escape.
   

Castlewood Canyon State Park

Distance from Denver: About 40 miles southeast (40–50 minutes)

If you love the outdoors, you’re bound to be drawn to Castlewood Canyon State Park in Franktown, where rugged cliffs and winding trails showcase a striking Front Range landscape. Hike through grasslands and along Cherry Creek, with scenic overlooks offering views toward Pikes Peak and chances to spot wildlife like mule deer and coyotes. Explore the ancient rock shelters and the ruins of the Castlewood Dam, whose 1933 collapse sent a 15-foot-high wave of water into Denver — while the natural amphitheater and Bridge Canyon Overlook gazebo provide memorable settings for special events.

Top Things to Do in Castlewood Canyon State Park

• Castlewood offers hiking trails for every skill level. Paved trails give all ages access to magnificent views of the canyon, while more difficult trails take you past the ruins of the Castlewood Dam and down to Cherry Creek along the canyon floor. 
• Climb scenic canyon walls with routes up to 60 feet that accommodate all skill levels, with seasonal closures to protect nesting raptors.
• During the summer months, Castlewood Canyon is home to one of the largest turkey vulture populations in the state!
   

Staunton State Park

Distance from Denver: About 40 miles southwest (45–55 minutes)

One of Colorado’s newer state parks, the landscape of Staunton State Park in Pine ranges from grassy meadows to soaring granite cliffs and forested hillsides, with elevations climbing more than 2,000 feet and supporting a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Hike past aspen groves and stream corridors, spot elk and birds along the trails and take in striking rock formations like Lions Head and Elk Creek Spires. Most of the park can be reached only via its trail system, giving Staunton a true backcountry feel. The park also offers innovative access for visitors with limited mobility through its Track-Chair program, making more of this rugged terrain open to explore.

Top Things to Do in Staunton State Park

• The only way to experience this park is by getting out on the trails! Staunton offers nearly 30 miles of trails, including several miles of mulit-use trails that welcome mountain bikers and horseback riders and approximately 8 miles of hiker-only trails. 
• Practice your aim on the archery range (located near the Mason Creek parking lot), which features 17 lanes with 16 targets ranging from 10 to 60 yards with an optional 100-yard lane. Use of the archery range is free with the purchase of a park pass. 
• Head to Staunton Rocks, where you'll find the majority of the park's more than 400 rock climbing routes. Sport, trad and mixed routes can be found throughout the park as well. Difficulty ranges from 5.3–5.13+. 

Track-Chair Program

Staunton's free Track-Chair program allows visitors with disabilities to explore three designated trails, each featuring gorgeous park features, including spectacular views of Pikes Peak, Lions Head and Mount Rosalie, a wide variety of wildlife, and unique geological and water​​​ features.

For more outdoor adventure, explore Colorado's national parks, Denver mountain parks and Denver city parks. For information on adventures for those with mobility issues, see our accessible outdoor recreation guide. And for inspo on your trip to Denver, order a free Official Visitors Guide or sign up for the Discover Denver e-newsletter.