Chatfield State Park
State Park in Littleton, CO
Hours:
Park: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Office: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Campground Office: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd.
Littleton, CO 80125
United States
Chatfield State Park
State Park in Littleton, CO
Hours:
Park: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Office: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Campground Office: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd.
Littleton, CO 80125
United States
Navigate to:
Reservoir Closure -
Reservoir closed to all boats and paddle craft.
Perimeter Trail Closure -
Beginning December 12, multiple day use areas, group picnic facilities, trails and shoreline access at the southwest corner of the reservoir will be closed due to dead and dying tree removal operations. For your safety, please use other picnic and day use facilities in the park during this closure. Trail use in the area must be avoided or rerouted to the bike lanes on the park road. For more information, please visit www.chatfieldreallocation.org.
Parking Area Closed for Construction -
The South lot of the Gravel Ponds Parking Area will be closed this winter from mid-November through spring for construction operations related to shoreline erosion control and access improvements. The North and Middle lots will remain open for use, but watch for construction traffic. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause as we work to improve the facilities and ensure the sustainability of our natural resources.
Fishing kayaks lining the beach
Activities and Trails
What to Do at Chatfield
Just southwest of Denver, Chatfield State Park’s reservoir is a popular summer swim spot and also offers fishing, ice fishing, hot air ballooning and boating. The park has 26 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, plus a 69-acre off-leash area for dogs. Campgrounds, boat and horse rentals, a model airplane field and a floating restaurant are among the park’s amenities.
- Boating
- Education Programs
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Ice Fishing
- Jet Skiing
- Model Airplane Flying
- Paddle Boarding
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Snowshoeing
- Swimming
- Water Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
Best of Chatfield
Lake
The park's main attraction is the 1,355-acre-surface-area lake that draws visitors to boat, fish, jet ski, paddle board and water ski.
Chatfield has a full-service marina offering slip rentals, boat rentals, boat storage and grill.
Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is permitted at Chatfield on the reservoir as well as the gravel ponds. Don't forget to bring your life jacket!
Model Airplane Flying
For model airplane pilots, Chatfield’s model airplane field provides paved runways, frequency posts, and field regulations for radio-controlled aircraft in an area south of the campgrounds. The Park and Jeffco Aeromodlers entered into an Operational Agreement in March of 2012 to ensure the upkeep and safety of the field. For more information about the agreement and the model airplane flying field at Chatfield, please visit http://www.jeffcoaeromodlers.org. No model rockets allowed.
Swim Beach
The swim beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours of operation are sunrise to sunset every day. Children under 12 must have adult supervision. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Upcoming Events
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Hot Air Ballooning
Hot air ballooning is popular at Chatfield. If you would like to ride in a hot air balloon, find a vendor at Chatfield that offers rides for purchase. If you are a licensed balloon pilot and are interested in launching from Chatfield, please contact the office in-person or call 303-791-7275.
Commercial Pilots
If you are a commercial balloon pilot, you will need to send an email to [email protected] for information on acquiring a commercial activity permit and information on requirements and fees.
Fun for Dogs
Dog Off-leash Area
The dog off-leash area provides 69 acres of completely fenced open space for dogs, including two ponds and miles of paved and unpaved walking trails.
- There is a limit of three dogs per handler
- A valid dog off-leash area daily or annual pass is required for the use of the area
- You must have your dog under voice control when off leash
- Bring a leash, which must be carried with you
- Bring a waste bag for each dog
- When arriving or leaving the off-leash area, dogs must be leashed from the access point to the vehicle
Use of the Upland Sport Dog Training Area and the Flat Water Sport Dog Training Area require a special activity agreement permit. Please contact the Park Headquarters at 303-791-7275 or [email protected] for further information.
Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
Trails
Over 26 miles of hard-surface and natural trails wind through the park and provide visitors with an abundance of opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Trails are available for hiking, biking, dog walking and horseback riding.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is popular on the series of trails, approximately 24 miles, that wind through Chatfield State Park. Big Horn Stables offers horse rentals, trail rides, riding lessons, day camp with horses, hayrides and boarding at Chatfield. Visit www.bighornstables.com or contact 720-520-2661, 888-61HORSE for rates, hours and other information. Horses are restricted to the outside perimeter of the main park road. Horses are not allowed in the picnic areas, camping areas, or the swim beach. Please be aware the trails are used by pedestrians and bicyclist.
Chatfield Dam Trail
2.7 miles, paved
Hiking, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access: Dam Overlook parking lot
Chatfield Equestrian Loop
3.2 miles
Horseback riding
Dog friendly
Access: Chatfield Stables parking lot
Chatfield Internal Trails Network
26 miles
Hiking, biking, skating only
Dog friendly
Chatfield Dam Trail
2.7 miles, paved
Hiking, biking
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Access: Dam Overlook parking lot
Chatfield Equestrian Loop
3.2 miles
Horseback riding
Dog friendly
Access: Chatfield Stables parking lot
Chatfield Internal Trails Network
26 miles
Hiking, biking, skating only
Dog friendly
Group Activities
Special Activity Agreement
A Special Activity Agreement permit may be required if you want to do an unusual activity or hold an organized group activity other than a normal picnic or camping trip.
Past examples of events that required a Special Activity Agreement permit include running, swimming and biking events; weddings; open-water baptisms; school or other organized groups; fishing tournaments; group skill training; dog tracking, hot air balloon launches; professional photography; and more. Commercial photographers need a Special Activity Agreement permit.
If you have another kind of event in mind, or if you are unsure if your event is suitable for Chatfield, please contact the park at [email protected] with details about your event, and we will let you know if you need a Special Activity Agreement permit.
We need to know about your event ahead of time so we can make space available and ensure your event won't harm the natural resources or overlap with other visitors' activities.
Please submit your application at least 90 days before the date of your event or activity to see if you need to complete a Special Activity Agreement. A non-refundable $30 processing fee is required with each application.
Special Activity Agreement Permit Application
Special Activity Agreement Instructions – please read this detailed information about our special activity agreement application process.
Special Activity Agreement Application – fill out and submit the SSA application for your activity/group (other than hot air balloon launching).
Hot Air Balloon Special Use Permit Application
Recreational Balloon Permit Instructions – this packet contains all you need to know about the requirements to launch and pilot a hot air balloon at Chatfield.
Recreational Balloon Permit Application – fill out and submit this form to apply to launch and pilot your hot air balloon at Chatfield.
Recreational Balloon Guest Pilot Application - fill out and submit this form to apply to launch and pilot your hot air balloon as a Guest Pilot. Guest Pilots MUST be sponsored and accompanied by a permit holding pilot. See Guest Pilot Instructions included in the Recreational Balloon Permit Instructions.
Commercial Photography Special Activity Agreement Application
Commercial Photography Permit Application -fill out and submit this form for all commercial photography to be conducted at Chatfield State Park. This form applies to professional photographers taking pictures for financial benefit when photographs are for personal use. Each quarter of the calendar year is $30.00, regardless of the number of clients/sessions. Multiple quarters may be paid for in one application.
- Quarters for the calendar year are as follows:
- Q1: January - March
- Q2: April - June
- Q3: July - September
- Q4: October - December
Permits will expire after the last day of the month ending the quarter.
Commercial Filming/Marketing Photography Application – Fill out and submit this form for commercial filming/photography where materials produced are used to advertise a product, service, or event. This form also applies to educational/entertainment filming that is being produced for financial benefit of those filming or a third party. This application carries a $150 application fee and additional fees as negotiated depending on impact, size of production, and distribution of final materials.