Information
Landmark: Cherry Creek State ParkCity: Denver
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America
Cherry Creek State Park, Denver, USA Colorado, North America
Cherry Creek State Park sprawls impressively as huge multi-use outdoor recreation area situated roughly southeast of downtown Denver in Aurora Colorado.
It sprawls across roughly 4200 acres featuring 880-acre Cherry Creek Reservoir and mixes open water grasslands with wetlands rolling prairies and infrastructure for various outdoor pursuits.
State park status was bestowed upon it first in Colorado back in 1959 and it draws hordes nowadays owing largely to generous size and plenty activities.
Area development began rapidly in 1950s after U.
S.
Army Corps of Engineers constructed Cherry Creek Dam managing flood control for Denver residents effectively.
A reservoir was created subsequently and state lease facilitated transformation of surrounding land into public park rapidly thereafter.
A natural transition zone unfolds rather haphazardly between vast plains and rugged foothills amidst prairie grasses and cottonwoods under scenic lake vistas.
Its elevation sits pretty high at roughly 5,550 feet above sea level offering a fairly mild climate with four distinct seasons year-round.
Cherry Creek Reservoir fuels water recreation enthusiastically.<br>Boating happens extensively here with motorized boats and non-motorized craft both being allowed on reservoir waters freely.
Sailboats and fishing boats and jet skis and pontoons share water pretty frequently nowadays on various large lakes.
Pelican Bay Marina has rentals for boats and paddleboards and fuel services are available quite frequently there every day.<br>Boat slip rentals are offered by them.<br>Dockside dining events and live music happen in summer with great enthusiasm.<br>Two public boat ramps serve users including seasonal and day visitors on both East and West sides rather conveniently.
Mandatory watercraft inspections help prevent spread of aquatic nuisance species.
Soft sand abounds at designated swim beach open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day for leisurely swimming and soaking up sunshine.
Swimming occurs entirely at your peril because lifeguards are noticeably absent from this particular vicinity.
Grills and restrooms are available near beach areas designated for picnics.
Fishing occurs year-round on the reservoir and ice fishing happens in winter sometimes under extremely cold conditions.
Common fish such as largemouth bass and walleye thrive alongside rainbow trout and channel catfish in various aquatic environments.
Plentiful fishing piers and shoreline access abound remarkably along various stretches.
Fishing in Colorado requires a valid license.
Cherry Creek State Park boasts 35 miles of multi-use trails sprawling extensively throughout its grounds ideal really for walking leisurely.<br>Biking enthusiasts and runners alike flock here.<br>Cherry Creek Trail threads through park lands and connects seamlessly to Denver's vast regional trail network.
Popular loops include Wetlands Loop Trail which winds flatly through remarkably bird-rich terrain.
Pioneers utilized Smoky Hill Trail an old historical route stretching fairly far across pretty rugged terrain mostly on foot.
Several unpaved nature paths meander circuitously through tall grasslands beneath sprawling cottonwood groves on steep banks overlooking murky rivers.
Leashed dogs and bikes and strollers are allowed on trails.
Equestrian Trails exist within park bounds featuring 12 Mile Stables offering guided horseback rides and horse boarding services fairly extensively.<br>Horses meander along dedicated trail systems totally separate from hiking paths typically.
Hay wagon rides are available too.
Trails remain open pretty much all winter long for fat biking and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing up in snowy mountains.
Park stays open around clock every single day of year.
Cherry Creek boasts modern camping infrastructure extensively found in Denver metro area.<br>135 campsites exist with many having full RV hookups including water and electric and sewer.
Tent camping sites and walk-in campsites are readily available nearby under somewhat rustic conditions.
Amenities include heated restrooms and showers laundry facilities dump stations campground amphitheater for ranger talks and electric vehicle charging stations.
Reservations are available.
Campsites can be found year-round though select loops are reserved for winter use mostly.
Reservations are bookable online via Colorado Parks and Wildlife's portal fairly easily nowadays and quickly too.
Large parties can reserve group campsites for hosting events.
Family Shooting Center operates as one of Colorado's scarce state park-based shooting ranges surprisingly nestled amongst various Special Attractions and Activities.
Ranges are offered for rifle and pistol shooting and archery and trap and skeet enthusiastically down at equipment rental facilities daily.
Denver R/C Eagles maintain Suhaka Field which features runways for model aircraft and instruction for novice flyers.<br>A fenced 125-acre area northwest in park bounds allows dogs off leash.<br>Designated flight zones are clearly marked there.
Features lush grassland and trails alongside a creek where dogs can swim freely.
Costs involve buying either a daily pass priced at $3 or opting for an annual pass instead.
Cherry Creek State Park fosters a diverse ecosystem teeming mostly with Colorado prairie wildlife including mule deer and coyotes and beavers.
Foxes and prairie dogs roam there.
Mammals such as rabbits thrive in its surroundings.
Over 170 bird species have been recorded including bald eagles and osprey and blue herons along with various hawks and owls and waterfowl.
Northern areas of park feature wetland zones under protection with boardwalks stretching eerily into murky depths beside bird blinds very quietly.
Snakes frogs and turtles can be spotted near water's edge during warm months often basking quite sluggishly in hazy sunlight.
Ranger-led programs and sporadic workshops educate visitors on conservation efforts and habitats surrounding Cherry Creek Dam's crucial water management role.
Park hosts various events throughout year including Lake Appreciation Day in July featuring clean-up efforts and vendor booths alongside water safety demos.
Triathlons and super grueling 5K races often get overshadowed by ridiculously popular outdoor yoga sessions under bright blue morning skies.
Birding excursions led by guides frequently happen alongside local Audubon Society groups in obscure natural habitats very quietly.
Local astronomy groups lead rather mystical star-gazing events under starry night skies with telescopes set up for public viewing.
Pelican Bay Beach Club and marina host raucous live music nights alongside food truck gatherings and ridiculously fun waterfront socials occasionally.
Parker Road or I-225 brings you 4201 South Parker Road Aurora CO 80014 year-round 24/7 with some seasonal stuff closed pretty much.<br>Fees are somewhat steep at $10 daily for vehicles and extra for boat inspections dog off-leash area and shooting center admission down there.<br>You can get annual state parks pass options available nearby facilities like boat ramps marina and swim beach have different rules somehow.<br>Transportation is pretty accessible by car nearby.
Bike and pedestrian access points are available from surrounding neighborhoods and various nearby trailheads on foot or by bike.
Picnic areas and trails are extremely accessible for people with disabilities and restrooms have been renovated accordingly.
Public transit options remain fairly limited but ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft offer pretty convenient access downtown.
Cherry Creek State Park offers a wild mix of rugged outdoorsy nature and super fun activities near Denver.
Park provides easy escape into Colorado's outdoors when boating across reservoir or hiking through prairie and riding horseback beneath starry skies.
Its proximity to metro area and diverse attractions render it perfect for quick day trips or rather lengthy nature sojourns appealing mostly to athletes and dog lovers.
It sprawls across roughly 4200 acres featuring 880-acre Cherry Creek Reservoir and mixes open water grasslands with wetlands rolling prairies and infrastructure for various outdoor pursuits.
State park status was bestowed upon it first in Colorado back in 1959 and it draws hordes nowadays owing largely to generous size and plenty activities.
Area development began rapidly in 1950s after U.
S.
Army Corps of Engineers constructed Cherry Creek Dam managing flood control for Denver residents effectively.
A reservoir was created subsequently and state lease facilitated transformation of surrounding land into public park rapidly thereafter.
A natural transition zone unfolds rather haphazardly between vast plains and rugged foothills amidst prairie grasses and cottonwoods under scenic lake vistas.
Its elevation sits pretty high at roughly 5,550 feet above sea level offering a fairly mild climate with four distinct seasons year-round.
Cherry Creek Reservoir fuels water recreation enthusiastically.<br>Boating happens extensively here with motorized boats and non-motorized craft both being allowed on reservoir waters freely.
Sailboats and fishing boats and jet skis and pontoons share water pretty frequently nowadays on various large lakes.
Pelican Bay Marina has rentals for boats and paddleboards and fuel services are available quite frequently there every day.<br>Boat slip rentals are offered by them.<br>Dockside dining events and live music happen in summer with great enthusiasm.<br>Two public boat ramps serve users including seasonal and day visitors on both East and West sides rather conveniently.
Mandatory watercraft inspections help prevent spread of aquatic nuisance species.
Soft sand abounds at designated swim beach open daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day for leisurely swimming and soaking up sunshine.
Swimming occurs entirely at your peril because lifeguards are noticeably absent from this particular vicinity.
Grills and restrooms are available near beach areas designated for picnics.
Fishing occurs year-round on the reservoir and ice fishing happens in winter sometimes under extremely cold conditions.
Common fish such as largemouth bass and walleye thrive alongside rainbow trout and channel catfish in various aquatic environments.
Plentiful fishing piers and shoreline access abound remarkably along various stretches.
Fishing in Colorado requires a valid license.
Cherry Creek State Park boasts 35 miles of multi-use trails sprawling extensively throughout its grounds ideal really for walking leisurely.<br>Biking enthusiasts and runners alike flock here.<br>Cherry Creek Trail threads through park lands and connects seamlessly to Denver's vast regional trail network.
Popular loops include Wetlands Loop Trail which winds flatly through remarkably bird-rich terrain.
Pioneers utilized Smoky Hill Trail an old historical route stretching fairly far across pretty rugged terrain mostly on foot.
Several unpaved nature paths meander circuitously through tall grasslands beneath sprawling cottonwood groves on steep banks overlooking murky rivers.
Leashed dogs and bikes and strollers are allowed on trails.
Equestrian Trails exist within park bounds featuring 12 Mile Stables offering guided horseback rides and horse boarding services fairly extensively.<br>Horses meander along dedicated trail systems totally separate from hiking paths typically.
Hay wagon rides are available too.
Trails remain open pretty much all winter long for fat biking and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing up in snowy mountains.
Park stays open around clock every single day of year.
Cherry Creek boasts modern camping infrastructure extensively found in Denver metro area.<br>135 campsites exist with many having full RV hookups including water and electric and sewer.
Tent camping sites and walk-in campsites are readily available nearby under somewhat rustic conditions.
Amenities include heated restrooms and showers laundry facilities dump stations campground amphitheater for ranger talks and electric vehicle charging stations.
Reservations are available.
Campsites can be found year-round though select loops are reserved for winter use mostly.
Reservations are bookable online via Colorado Parks and Wildlife's portal fairly easily nowadays and quickly too.
Large parties can reserve group campsites for hosting events.
Family Shooting Center operates as one of Colorado's scarce state park-based shooting ranges surprisingly nestled amongst various Special Attractions and Activities.
Ranges are offered for rifle and pistol shooting and archery and trap and skeet enthusiastically down at equipment rental facilities daily.
Denver R/C Eagles maintain Suhaka Field which features runways for model aircraft and instruction for novice flyers.<br>A fenced 125-acre area northwest in park bounds allows dogs off leash.<br>Designated flight zones are clearly marked there.
Features lush grassland and trails alongside a creek where dogs can swim freely.
Costs involve buying either a daily pass priced at $3 or opting for an annual pass instead.
Cherry Creek State Park fosters a diverse ecosystem teeming mostly with Colorado prairie wildlife including mule deer and coyotes and beavers.
Foxes and prairie dogs roam there.
Mammals such as rabbits thrive in its surroundings.
Over 170 bird species have been recorded including bald eagles and osprey and blue herons along with various hawks and owls and waterfowl.
Northern areas of park feature wetland zones under protection with boardwalks stretching eerily into murky depths beside bird blinds very quietly.
Snakes frogs and turtles can be spotted near water's edge during warm months often basking quite sluggishly in hazy sunlight.
Ranger-led programs and sporadic workshops educate visitors on conservation efforts and habitats surrounding Cherry Creek Dam's crucial water management role.
Park hosts various events throughout year including Lake Appreciation Day in July featuring clean-up efforts and vendor booths alongside water safety demos.
Triathlons and super grueling 5K races often get overshadowed by ridiculously popular outdoor yoga sessions under bright blue morning skies.
Birding excursions led by guides frequently happen alongside local Audubon Society groups in obscure natural habitats very quietly.
Local astronomy groups lead rather mystical star-gazing events under starry night skies with telescopes set up for public viewing.
Pelican Bay Beach Club and marina host raucous live music nights alongside food truck gatherings and ridiculously fun waterfront socials occasionally.
Parker Road or I-225 brings you 4201 South Parker Road Aurora CO 80014 year-round 24/7 with some seasonal stuff closed pretty much.<br>Fees are somewhat steep at $10 daily for vehicles and extra for boat inspections dog off-leash area and shooting center admission down there.<br>You can get annual state parks pass options available nearby facilities like boat ramps marina and swim beach have different rules somehow.<br>Transportation is pretty accessible by car nearby.
Bike and pedestrian access points are available from surrounding neighborhoods and various nearby trailheads on foot or by bike.
Picnic areas and trails are extremely accessible for people with disabilities and restrooms have been renovated accordingly.
Public transit options remain fairly limited but ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft offer pretty convenient access downtown.
Cherry Creek State Park offers a wild mix of rugged outdoorsy nature and super fun activities near Denver.
Park provides easy escape into Colorado's outdoors when boating across reservoir or hiking through prairie and riding horseback beneath starry skies.
Its proximity to metro area and diverse attractions render it perfect for quick day trips or rather lengthy nature sojourns appealing mostly to athletes and dog lovers.
