Cherry Creek State Park
State Park in Aurora, CO
Hours:
Campground Office: Monday through Sunday: Daily, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Dog Off-leash Daily Pass: $3
Daily Water Basin Authority: $1
Annual Water Basin Authority: $3
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
4201 South Parker Road
Aurora, CO 80014
United States
Cherry Creek State Park
State Park in Aurora, CO
Hours:
Campground Office: Monday through Sunday: Daily, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Dog Off-leash Daily Pass: $3
Daily Water Basin Authority: $1
Annual Water Basin Authority: $3
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
4201 South Parker Road
Aurora, CO 80014
United States
Navigate to:
Sun shining through trees on the beach
Activities and Trails
What to Do at Cherry Creek
In the middle of the Denver area, Cherry Creek State Park offers year-round family fun. Walk, hike or bike on 35 miles of trails, including 15 miles of paved trails. The reservoir is great for water skiing, fishing and boating. The park has 135 modern campsites, and you'll also find amenities like an amphitheater, boat ramps, a marina, a model airplane field and picnic spots.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Cross-country Skiing
- Education Programs
- Fishing
- Group Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Ice Skating
- Jet Skiing
- Model Airplane Flying
- Picnicking
- Rowing
- Sailboarding
- Sailing
- Shooting Center
- Sledding
- Snowshoeing
- Snowtubing
- Swimming
- Swim beach
- Volleyball
- Water Skiing
Best of Cherry Creek
Reservoir
The park's main attraction is the 850 surface-acre reservoir, where visitors can boat, fish, jet ski, row and water ski.
Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is a popular water activity at Cherry Creek. Visitors can rent a paddle board through the marina.
Family Shooting Center
Fixed targets for rifles and pistols, a trap area for shotguns and more can be found at the Family Shooting Center in the southern area of the park. Firearms are prohibited elsewhere in the park.
Swim Beach
The park’s sandy beach and roped-off swimming area is a gathering spot for families to soak up the Colorado sun. There’s a bathhouse with restrooms located at the beach for convenience. The swim beach is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Upcoming Events
Jun
28
Yoga on the Beach
Saturday, Jun 28
Cherry Creek State Park
Jun
28
Yoga on the Beach
Saturday, Jun 28
Cherry Creek State Park
Jul
19
Lake Appreciation Day
Saturday, Jul 19
Cherry Creek State Park
Jul
19
Lake Appreciation Day
Saturday, Jul 19
Cherry Creek State Park
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Jun
28
Yoga on the Beach
Saturday, Jun 28
Cherry Creek State Park
Jun
28
Yoga on the Beach
Saturday, Jun 28
Cherry Creek State Park
Jul
19
Lake Appreciation Day
Saturday, Jul 19
Cherry Creek State Park
Jul
19
Lake Appreciation Day
Saturday, Jul 19
Cherry Creek State Park
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Fun for Dogs
Dog Off-leash Area
Over 100 acres in the 12 Mile area are available for owners to exercise their dogs off leash. The area may be accessed from the south entrance at Parker and Orchard roads or from the north at 12 Mile North.
- There is a limit of three dogs per handler.
- A valid dog off-leash area daily or annual pass is required for use of the area, in addition to a park pass for all vehicles entering the park
- Dogs must remain in visual distance and under voice control at all times
- Dog owners must carry a leash and waste bag for each dog. Owners are required to clean up and dispose of pet waste in the off-leash area and throughout the park.
- All dogs must remain on leash when not in the fenced area.
Both annual and daily Dog Off-leash passes can be purchased at the Visitor Center, park entrance station or self-service station. Park entrance passes are an additional fee.
Dog Off-leash Passes must be visibly displayed on the dog handler at all times when in the Dog Off-leash Area.
Day Pass: $3
A day pass allows one handler to bring in up to three dogs.
Annual Pass: $25
An annual pass allows one handler from a household to bring up to three dogs. This pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Annual Dog Off-leash passes can also be purchased online. The duplicate fee for a lost pass is $5.
Due to the popularity of the area, extended wait times are common during peak hours. Peak hours vary and include holidays and weekends.
Additional facilities are available for sport dog training. Please contact the Park Office at 303-766-6562 for more information.
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
Trails
Cherry Creek's extensive multi-use trail system spans 35 miles and provides a pleasurable experience year-round.
Horse Stables
The 12 Mile Stables at Cherry Creek offer horse rentals, hay rides, day camps, riding lessons and horse boarding. Please call 1-888-61-HORSES or visit the website for more information.
Cherry Creek Trail
4.75 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: Cherry Creek Crossing or Cottonwood Creek trailhead
Dam Trail
0.36 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Parking lot on north side of marina
Pope Trail
1.04 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Pope trailhead
Butterfly Hill Trail
1.08 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: via Pope or Cottonwood Creek trailheads
Prairie Loop Nature Trail
0.25 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Prairie Loop parking lot
Vista Trail
0.65 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: via Cottonwood Creek trailhead
Cottonwood Creek Trail
1.88 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
Windmill Creek Loop Trail
0.37 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
Railroad Bed Trail
2.11 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
Pipeline Trail
0.71 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads
South Connector Trail
0.44 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads
Wetland Loop Trail
1.22 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads
North Connector Trail
0.27 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Shop Creek Trailhead
Campground Trail
0.89 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: Campground or swim beach parking lots
Parker Road Trail
2.49 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Shop Creek parking lot
Shop Creek Trail
0.47 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: Shop Creek parking lot
12-Mile Trail
2.81 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: 12-mile North and South parking lots
Smoky Hill Trail
1.65 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Dixon Grove, swim beach, Smoky Hill or old jet ski parking lots
Beaver Pond Nature Trail
0.42 miles one way, 0.84 miles round trip; non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: 12-mile North parking lot
Piney Creek Trail
0.38 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: 12-mile South parking lot
Cherry Creek Trail
4.75 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: Cherry Creek Crossing or Cottonwood Creek trailhead
Dam Trail
0.36 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Parking lot on north side of marina
Pope Trail
1.04 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Pope trailhead
Butterfly Hill Trail
1.08 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: via Pope or Cottonwood Creek trailheads
Prairie Loop Nature Trail
0.25 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Prairie Loop parking lot
Vista Trail
0.65 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: via Cottonwood Creek trailhead
Cottonwood Creek Trail
1.88 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
Windmill Creek Loop Trail
0.37 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
Railroad Bed Trail
2.11 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead
Pipeline Trail
0.71 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads
South Connector Trail
0.44 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads
Wetland Loop Trail
1.22 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads
North Connector Trail
0.27 miles, non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: Shop Creek Trailhead
Campground Trail
0.89 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: Campground or swim beach parking lots
Parker Road Trail
2.49 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Shop Creek parking lot
Shop Creek Trail
0.47 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: Shop Creek parking lot
12-Mile Trail
2.81 miles, non-paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: 12-mile North and South parking lots
Smoky Hill Trail
1.65 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
Dog friendly
Access point: Dixon Grove, swim beach, Smoky Hill or old jet ski parking lots
Beaver Pond Nature Trail
0.42 miles one way, 0.84 miles round trip; non-paved
Hiking only
Access point: 12-mile North parking lot
Piney Creek Trail
0.38 miles, paved
Hiking, horseback riding, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access point: 12-mile South parking lot
Model Airplane Flying
Suhaka Field
Model airplane enthusiasts will find asphalt runways, frequency posts and field regulations for radio-controlled aircraft at this field located on the west side of the park. Both electric and gas/glow aircraft are flown at Suhaka Field. The elevation at Suhaka field is 5,700 feet. Beginners are always welcome, and instructor pilots are available for flight training at no additional charge.
Denver R/C Eagles Flying Club
Suhaka Field is operated by the Denver R/C Eagles Flying Club. You do not need to be a member of the club to fly at the facility. However, you do need to follow all the club rules, including the requirement that all pilots display a current Academy of Model Aeronautics membership.