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: $12
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: $12
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd.
Littleton, CO 80125
United States
Navigate to:
Closures -
The south lot of Gravel Ponds Parking Area is closed for construction. Learn more under Accessing the Park > Closures. The Perimeter Trail is closed while chipping and hauling operations continue. Find details and safety information under Trails > Trail Conditions & Closures.
A serene view of the reservoir at sunset
Park Highlight
Explore Chatfield Reservoir
Boaters of all types — from water skiers to fishing enthusiasts to canoeists and sailors — enjoy Chatfield's 1,500 surface-acre Reservoir. Boat rentals, a floating restaurant and a marina are also available at Chatfield.
Reservoir Facilities
Facilities
Boats may be launched at either of our two boat ramps.
The North boat ramps, located on the northwest side of the reservoir, have eight launch lanes and four courtesy docks.
South boat ramp, located on the southeast side of the reservoir, has two launch lanes and one courtesy dock.
The courtesy docks are available seasonally and will be removed when ice starts to form on the lake.
Chatfield has a full service marina offering slip rentals, boat rentals, boat storage and Seagull’s restaurant. For information, please call the Marina at 303-791-5555, email [email protected] or visit the Chatfield Marina website. Services available seasonally.
The Swimbeach 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. No lifeguard on duty. Swim at your own risk.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
Boating is among the park’s most popular activities. You can enjoy water skiing, sailing, fishing or just cruising on the reservoir.
To boat on the reservoir, a pre-launch boat inspection for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS), an ANS stamp, and a current boat registration are required.
Reservoir Zones
The reservoir can be quite busy during the summer season and is divided into use zones. The main body of the reservoir is the power zone. This area is for general boating and water skiing and has a counter clockwise direction of travel. There are two large no-wake zones at the southwest and southeast ends of the reservoir.
Boating Capacity
During times of peak use, the reservoir may reach boating capacity. When boating capacity is reached, rangers at the boat dock will not allow boats to launch until a vessel has left the reservoir.
Hazards
With the fluctuation of stream flows, boaters should always watch carefully for floating debris in the reservoir. During the off-season, many of the aids to navigation are not in place. Please recognize that not all hazards may be marked, so always use caution when boating.
Fishing
Springtime signals the start of open water fishing, and the park’s trout fishing is some of the best in the Denver area. Throughout the summer, walleye, bass, perch, crappie, catfish and an occasional trout are caught, with the best action early in the day or late at night. Colorado Parks and Wildlife periodically stocks the lake with rainbow trout and other fish.
Ice Fishing
Ice-fishing is available during the winter months. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines. During the winter, there are several "ice rescue stations" around Chatfield. They are marked by red poles with a tire and rope.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for Chatfield
Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the BrochureLand and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the BrochureMandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Chatfield
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species, as well as clean, drain, dry and decontaminations.
Inspection Hours
March 18 - North ramp opens. Hours, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
April: Both ramps, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
May to September: Both ramps, Fri, Sat, Sun, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon to Thurs, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October: North and south ramps, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: North ramp, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 1 until ice off through March 1: Reservoir closed to all boats and paddle craft.
New Zealand Mudsnail and Waterflea
New Zealand Mudsnail and Waterflea has been detected in the reservoir.
Mudsnails are an invasive freshwater snail that negatively affect aquatic insect larvae, native snails and fish populations.
Waterfleas eat zooplankton (which are an important food for larval and juvenile native fish), tangle in fishing lines and can clog the eyelets of fishing rods.
Paddleboards, Kayaks and Canoes, Inflatable Watercraft
Help Protect Colorado Waters: Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your paddleboard, kayak, canoe or inflatable watercraft.
Water Activities
Jet Skiing
All persons on personal water crafts are required to wear a properly fitting personal flotation jacket. Jet skis do need to be inspected at the boat ramps for aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Currently, jet skis are not available for rent.
Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding is permitted at Chatfield on the reservoir as well as the gravel ponds. Life jackets required.
Water Skiing
There must be another person on board designated as the look-out person to watch the water skier and raise a flag distinguishing if they are in the water. Skiing and towing inflatables need to observe the counter-clockwise direction of travel around the centerline buoys.