Frances Xavier Cabrini Day Office Closures

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices, including park visitor centers, will be closed for the state holiday, Monday, Oct. 6. Some offices may have limited operations for the hunting season. Call ahead and plan accordingly.

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

Contact:

303-690-1166

[email protected]

Surrounded by the Denver metro area, Cherry Creek offers a recreational oasis amid the hectic urban world. Almost any day, the park’s 35 miles of multiuse trails, including 15 miles of paved trails, are abuzz with walkers, hikers, bikers, and families on outings. In winter, there might be snowshoers or cross-country skiers. The cool waters of Cherry Creek Reservoir attract water skiers, anglers and boaters of all kinds.

Cherry Creek State Park

State Park in Aurora, CO

Surrounded by the Denver metro area, Cherry Creek offers a recreational oasis amid the hectic urban world. Almost any day, the park’s 35 miles of multiuse trails, including 15 miles of paved trails, are abuzz with walkers, hikers, bikers, and families on outings. In winter, there might be snowshoers or cross-country skiers. The cool waters of Cherry Creek Reservoir attract water skiers, anglers and boaters of all kinds.

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

Contact:

303-690-1166

[email protected]

Navigate to:

Person in a yellow shirt biking on a path

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

       

      Fees and Passes

      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

      Keep Colorado Wild Pass

      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

      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.

      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
        Robin sitting in a tree

        Mammals You Might Find

        • White-tailed deer
        • Fox squirrel
        • Muskrat
        • North American least shrew
        Deer crossing road

        Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find

        • Gopher snake
        • Spiny softshell turtle
        • Barred tiger salamander
        • American bullfrog 
        Bullfrog in water

        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.

        Scenic views of Cherry Creek State Park

        Upcoming Events

        Oct

        4

        Kids' Fishing Clinic

        Saturday, Oct 4

        Cherry Creek State Park

        This course will cover the basics of fishing including how to cast and how to tie a clinch knot. 

        Oct

        4

        Registration Required:

        Event participants must register

        Kids' Fishing Clinic

        Saturday, Oct 4

        Cherry Creek State Park

        This course will cover the basics of fishing including how to cast and how to tie a clinch knot. 

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        18

        Trunk or Treat

        Saturday, Oct 18

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Put on your favorite costume or decorate your trunk for Cherry Creek's Trunk or Treat at the East Shades Picnic Area. 

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        18

        Registration Required:

        Event participants must register

        Trunk or Treat

        Saturday, Oct 18

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Put on your favorite costume or decorate your trunk for Cherry Creek's Trunk or Treat at the East Shades Picnic Area. 

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        25

        Witch & Wizard Paddle

        Saturday, Oct 25

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        25

        Registration Required:

        Event participants must register

        Witch & Wizard Paddle

        Saturday, Oct 25

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

        Oct

        4

        Kids' Fishing Clinic

        Saturday, Oct 4

        Cherry Creek State Park

        This course will cover the basics of fishing including how to cast and how to tie a clinch knot. 

        Oct

        4

        Registration Required:

        Event participants must register

        Kids' Fishing Clinic

        Saturday, Oct 4

        Cherry Creek State Park

        This course will cover the basics of fishing including how to cast and how to tie a clinch knot. 

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        18

        Trunk or Treat

        Saturday, Oct 18

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Put on your favorite costume or decorate your trunk for Cherry Creek's Trunk or Treat at the East Shades Picnic Area. 

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        18

        Registration Required:

        Event participants must register

        Trunk or Treat

        Saturday, Oct 18

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Put on your favorite costume or decorate your trunk for Cherry Creek's Trunk or Treat at the East Shades Picnic Area. 

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        25

        Witch & Wizard Paddle

        Saturday, Oct 25

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

        Pumpkin decorations with hay bales and fall trees. Taken at Cherry Creek's 2024 Trunk or Treat Event.

        Oct

        25

        Registration Required:

        Event participants must register

        Witch & Wizard Paddle

        Saturday, Oct 25

        Cherry Creek State Park

        Meet us at West Shades in a witch or wizard costume with your paddle board or kayak for a whimsical and magical time on the...

        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.