| Chatfield Brochure |
Trails
Over 26 miles of hard surface and natural trails wind through
the Chatfield area and provide Park visitors with an abundance
of opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Trails are
available for hiking, biking, dog walking, horseback riding and
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Many trails
are mobility device friendly. Download a four-color Chatfield Trail
Use map at: http:///cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Chatfield
Picnicking
Numerous picnic sites with tables and grills are located
throughout the park. Individual sites are available on a first-come
first-served basis. Group Picnic sites are available by reservation
through the Park office 303-791-7275.
Passes, Permits
A Colorado State Park pass is required year-round on all
vehicles entering the park. Campers are required to have a
valid camping permit in addition to a park pass. Visitors
who use the Dog-Off-Leash Area are required to have a
DOLA pass in addition to the park pass.
Park passes are available at the entrance stations, park office
and the campground office. Self serve stations accepting
cash or check only are available when stations and offices
are not manned.
Camping
The Chatfield campground offers 197 individual campsites.
All sites have an electrical RV hook-up (20-30-50 amp) service,
a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. In addition, 146 sites are
considered full hook-up, and offer water and sewer connections,
seasonally. Shower and flush comfort stations are located
throughout the campground. A
sewage dump station is located
near the campground for use
by registered campers. A fee
is charged for non-registered
campers to use the facility. It
is illegal to dump wastewater,
including dishwater and sewage,
anywhere else.
A camping permit is required
in addition to a Parks pass for
persons using the campground.
Immediate occupancy of a site
is required. Campers may only stay a maximum of 14 days in a
45-day period. Quiet hours are observed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
and generators may not be operated during quiet hours.
Due to popularity, camping reservations are recommended.
Reservations can be made online at www.cpw.state.co.us or
by calling 1-800-244-5613. Reservations are available in D
Loop year round. Reservations for A and B Loops are typically
available mid-April through mid-October and C Loop is
typically available mid-April through the end of November.
Reservations can be made a maximum of 6 months and
minimum of three days in advance.
Group campsites are available for
reservation through our park office at
303-791-7275.
Wildlife
Chatfield’s acres of prairie and riparian
areas provide habitat to a multitude of
wildlife species. Over 345 species of
birds have been sighted at the park. A
Watchable Wildlife kiosk is located on
top of the dam and provides information on key places within
the Park to see wildlife. Beaver and muskrat are often seen in the
Park’s wetland and pond areas. Whitetail, mule deer, coyotes, fox
and bear live or feed in the area. Less developed, natural areas of
the park are located on the south side along the Plum Creek and
Platte River. Park programs and interpretive walks are offered
throughout the year. A schedule of activities can be found on the
website or by contacting the park office.
Fishing
In addition to a healthy population of trout and bass, Chatfield
has walleye, channel catfish, yellow perch, crappie, bluegill,
sunfish, and carp. The reservoir is periodically stocked with
rainbow trout and other fish. Springtime presents superb walleye
and trout opportunities, while bass, perch, crappie and catfish are
most frequently caught during the summer. Ice fishing is usually
under-way by mid-December. Check the Park website and at the
entrance for current conditions.
An accessible fishing pier is located near the marina on the east
side of the lake. An accessible trail provides access to the South
Platte River.
Dog Off-Leash Area
The fenced Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) at the north end of
the park provides dog enthusiasts with 69-acres of space for
exercising their pets. The Chatfield
DOLA includes walking trails,
two small ponds, two parking lots
and restrooms. An annual DOLA
pass ($20) or a daily DOLA ($2) is
required, in addition to a park pass.
Pets must be under voice control
while inside the DOLA and on a
leash while walking between vehicles
and the entrance to the DOLA.
Leashed pets are allowed throughout
the park except at the swim beach. Owners are required to
clean up and dispose of pet waste throughout the park.
US Army Corps
of Engineers
©CPW
©DICK VOGEL
©CPW/JERRY NEAL
Horseback Riding
Horse trailer parking, corrals, unloading ramps and a trailhead
are located on the Park’s west side, south of the Deer Creek
entrance. Horses are available for rent at the Chatfield Stables,
located south west of the swim beach. Riders must stay on
designated trails. Horses are prohibited at picnic sites, campsite,
the swim beach and along the reservoir shoreline.
Visitors may leave horses in the corrals overnight if they are
camping in the campground, two miles from the corrals. Owners
must provide their own feed and water containers, as grazing is
not allowed. Water faucets are only available at the corrals.
Balloons/Model-planes
Chatfield State Park is one of the most popular hot air balloon
launch areas on the Front Range. Balloons launch from the
Montgolfier Balloon Port, near the Deer Creek entrance. A
balloon permit is required in addition to a vehicle park pass.
For model airplane pilots, the Chatfield Model Airplane field
offers paved runways, frequency posts and field regulations
for radio-controlled aircraft. The
airfield is located south of the
campground. Radio-controlled
devices are prohibited throughout
the main park area.
History
©CPW/KEN PAPALEO
The first settlers came to the
Chatfield area in search of gold in
1858. Prospectors discovered the
precious metal in the vicinity of
Cherry Creek and the South Platte
River. When these pioneers began
building the settlement that is now
Denver, Arapahoe and Cheyenne Native Americans warned
them that it was “bad medicine” to settle in the area.
In 1870, Isaac W. Chatfield, a Union lieutenant in the Civil War,
bought 720 acres of land at the confluence of the South Platte
River and Plum Creek. Chatfield farmed the land until he moved
in 1879. The area and a nearby road still bear his name.
The area continued to grow as an agricultural community,
and small activity centers and subdivisions were built. But
the warning of “bad medicine” proved true as floods washed
through Denver in 1933, 1935 and 1942.
On June 16, 1965, the rain swollen Plum Creek caused the Platte
River to jump its banks and sweep away homes and businesses.
The result was 13 deaths and over $300 million in damages.
As a control measure, in August 1967, two years after the flood,
the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers began development of the $85
million project and in 1973 work began on the dam. In 1974
Colorado State Parks entered a long-term lease to manage the
5,600-acre recreation area. The dam was completed in 1975,
resulting in a 1,500 surface acre reservoir.
Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado
through Colorado Lottery proceeds.
cpw.state.co.us
CPW_HPCH_3/18
®
cpw.state.co.us
11500 N. Roxborough Park Rd • Littleton, CO 80125
(303) 791-7275 • E-mail: dnr_chatfield.park@state.co.us
Chatfield State Park
In case of an emergency, call 911.
More information can be found on our website
http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/pages/boatinspection.aspx
Inspections are MANDATORY prior to launch, and can be
performed by park staff at Inspection Stations located at both
boat ramps during posted hours of operation. To launch outside
of such hours, a State Boat Inspection Seal and Receipt must be
deposited in the drop box located at the boat ramps.
Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) are invasive animals, plants
and diseases causing pathogens that are “out of place” in
Colorado waterways. They are introduced accidentally or
intentionally and are not considered native to this area. ANS
are a significant and growing threat to Colorado’s water. ANS
are primarily spread by recreational boating and angling. Please
help to prevent the spread of these invasive organisms; CLEAN,
DRAIN, and DRY your boat before moving between water.
Emergency room care is available at Littleton Adventist
Hospital, 7700 S. Broadway (Broadway and Mineral), and at
Swedish Medical Center, 6196 S. Ammons Way (S. Wadsworth,
between Coal Mine and Bowles).
The staff at Chatfield is committed to providing visitors with
a positive recreation experience while protecting the natural
resources. Park Rangers are fully trained law enforcement
officers who work closely with local resources to keep visitors
safe. Most park staff are trained in first aid and can assist
during an emergency.
Safety
Aquatic Nuisance Species
ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS
Swimming is permitted only within the designated swim beach
area. The swim beach is open Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Chatfield
State Park
Wadsworth
Boating, water-skiing and swimming are among the most
popular activities at the park. Areas are set aside for different
activities to ensure a safe experience for visitors. All power
boats and sail boats must be registered. Boaters must observe
navigation buoys, direction of travel and lake zoning. A copy
of the Colorado Boating Statues and Regulations is available at
the park entrances and at the boat ramps. Chatfield is open to
boating from March 1st, (or at ice-off, whichever comes later)
through November 30.
Boating/Water Sports
6179 S. Balsam Ave.
(303) 932-6911
Dog Training Area
(see detailed map)
Swedish Southwest ER
C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E
Location
Chatfield State Park
Dog Off
Leash Area
Colorado Parks
& Wildlife
Littleton
Office
Center
US Army Corps
of Engineers
Operations
Corps of
Engineers
Tri-Lakes
Project Office
Eagle
Cove
Balloon
Launch
NO WAKE
BOATING ZONE
NO WAKE
BOATING ZONE
Historic
Slocum
Cabin
Horse Stables
Park
Headquarters
Gravel
Ponds
LEGEND
Discovery Pavilion/
Audubon Center
Amphitheater
Restaurant
RV Dump Station
Snack Bar
Stables
(seasonal)
Trailhead
Group Camping
Handicap Accessible
Horses Permitted
Paved Trails
US Army Corps
of Engineers Operations
Regulations
Concessions
1. Vehicles must remain on designated roads or in parking areas.
2. Fires are permitted only in the fire rings and grills provided.
Fires are not permitted on the swimbeach.
3. Pets must be on a leash at all times.
4. Hunting, fireworks, and model rockets are prohibited throughout the park
5. Keep your park clean! Place litter in the receptacles provided.
6. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only.
7. Swimming permitted only in designated swim beach area.
Chatfield Marina - B
oating supplies, groceries, boat/sailboat rentals and lessons, fuel docks,
patio restaurant, snack bar, slip rentals, boat storage.
Open: April - October.
Information and Reservations: (303) 791-5555 • www.chatfieldmarina.com
Chatfield Stables - S table horses for lease, trail rides, hayrack rides, riding lessons.
Open May - September, 9-6 p.m. Winter rides by appointment
Information: (303) 933-3636 www.chatfieldstables.com