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:
Person in a yellow shirt biking on a path
Welcome to Cherry Creek State Park
Cherry Creek State Park is a 4,200-acre recreation haven in the Denver metro area for boaters, anglers, campers, bicyclists, equestrians, swimmers, hikers and picnickers alike. Anchored around an 880 surface-acre reservoir, the park offers a natural prairie landscape of gentle, rolling hills and complete outdoor recreation amenities, including camping, picnicking and facilities for group events.
4,227
acres
133
campsites
1
model airplane runway
35
miles of trails
Accessing the Park
Directions
One mile south of I-225 on Parker Road at Lehigh (south Denver). Located at 4201 S Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014.
The Cherry Creek visitor center is located in the Campground which is north of the East Entrance Station.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cherry Creek has two boat ramps.
East Boat Ramp
The east boat ramp is located past Pelican Point, west of the East Lehigh Avenue entrance (east entrance).
West Boat Ramp
The west boat ramp is located by the marina, east of the East Union Avenue entrance (west entrance).
Boat ramp hours: See the Park Highlights page > Facilities section > Boat Ramps.
Mandatory boat inspection for aquatic nuisance species hours: See the Park Highlights page > Mandatory Boat Inspections section.
Two charging stations are located in the park office parking lot. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Closures
There are no closures at this time.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Colorado residents 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Additional Fees and Passes
Pass or Fee |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Required Cherry Creek Water Basin Daily Fee |
Supports reservoir water quality |
1 Day |
$1 |
|
Cherry Creek Water Basin Annual Fee |
Supports reservoir water quality |
1 Year |
$3 |
|
Dog Off-leash Daily Pass |
Handler and up to three dogs |
1 Day |
$3 |
|
Dog Off-leash Annual Pass |
Handler and up to three dogs |
1 Year |
$25 |
Nature and Wildlife
Anchored around an 880 surface-acre reservoir, the park offers a natural prairie environment of gentle, rolling hills. Over 40 mammals and 171 bird species live here.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides are available on Cherry Creek State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Red-tailed hawk
- American robin
- House wren
- Green-winged teal
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- White-tailed deer
- Fox squirrel
- Muskrat
- North American least shrew
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Gopher snake
- Spiny softshell turtle
- Barred tiger salamander
- American bullfrog
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into Cherry Creek State Park's iNaturalist app, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
Habitats and Plants at This Park
Short-grass and mixed-grass prairie cover the gently rolling plain of the park, located at 5,500 feet of elevation. Soil type and historic land use determine local species composition. Dominant species of the mixed-prairie community include western wheatgrass, blue grass, purple threeawn, mat, muhly, needle-and-thread grass and false buffalograss.
There are sizeable wetland and cottonwood riparian habitats for the Front Range. Diverse wetland, riparian and aquatic plant communities established and now thrive as the water table rose along Cherry Creek, tributary drainages, around the reservoir and below the dam.
Upcoming Events
Nov
8
Pumpkin Shoot Archery Clinic
Saturday, Nov 8
Cherry Creek State Park
Learn the basics of archery and range safety and shoot pumpkins and turkey targets.
Nov
8
Pumpkin Shoot Archery Clinic
Saturday, Nov 8
Cherry Creek State Park
Learn the basics of archery and range safety and shoot pumpkins and turkey targets.
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
15
Fall Guided Hike
Saturday, Nov 15
Cherry Creek State Park
Meet us at the Pelican Point parking lot and take a walk with a park naturalist to learn about plants, birds, and any wildlife...
Nov
15
Fall Guided Hike
Saturday, Nov 15
Cherry Creek State Park
Meet us at the Pelican Point parking lot and take a walk with a park naturalist to learn about plants, birds, and any wildlife...
Nov
8
Pumpkin Shoot Archery Clinic
Saturday, Nov 8
Cherry Creek State Park
Learn the basics of archery and range safety and shoot pumpkins and turkey targets.
Nov
8
Pumpkin Shoot Archery Clinic
Saturday, Nov 8
Cherry Creek State Park
Learn the basics of archery and range safety and shoot pumpkins and turkey targets.
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
11
Free Park Entry for Veterans and Active Military
Tuesday, Nov 11
As a thank you to U.S. military members, Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers veterans, active-duty military and the National...
Nov
15
Fall Guided Hike
Saturday, Nov 15
Cherry Creek State Park
Meet us at the Pelican Point parking lot and take a walk with a park naturalist to learn about plants, birds, and any wildlife...
Nov
15
Fall Guided Hike
Saturday, Nov 15
Cherry Creek State Park
Meet us at the Pelican Point parking lot and take a walk with a park naturalist to learn about plants, birds, and any wildlife...
History
- 1858: Settlement of Denver begins as gold seekers reject the warnings from friendly Native Americans of great floods on Cherry Creek. Settlers establish their encampments near the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River, in what is now downtown Denver.
- 1864–1939: A series of floods, dam construction projects, and dam failures occur on Cherry Creek.
- 1941: The Flood Control Act of 1941 authorizes $3 million for the initiation and partial accomplishment of the Cherry Creek Project for flood control.
- 1946: Construction of Cherry Creek Dam begins. The dam is completed in 1950.
- 1957: A new State Parks and Recreation Board is created. Harold Lathrop is appointed Director and serves until his death in 1961.
- 1958: The Governor of Colorado requests 10,000 acre-feet of storage for recreation at Cherry Creek Reservoir.
- 1959: A 25-year lease is signed with the Army Corps of Engineers, making Cherry Creek State Recreation Area the first of its kind in the state. The first official visitor is welcomed on June 17th. The first year sees 168,700 visitors.
- 1991: The Parks Board adopts a resolution renaming all properties “State Parks” with the exception of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area and the Colorado State Forest.
- 1993: Cherry Creek State Park hosts the single largest event in Colorado State Parks’ history. Over 375,000 people gather for a Saturday night prayer vigil and Sunday morning papal mass with Pope John Paul II as part of the International World Youth Day.
Today, Cherry Creek State Park is a busy recreation area, close to Denver and attracting especially heavy crows on summer weekends to its miles of trails, both paved and unpaved, and its reservoir.