Hours, Fees & Passes
Chatfield State Park is open every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Every vehicle needs a Colorado state park pass year-round: a daily vehicle pass costs $10 to $12 with Colorado license plates and $15 to $17 with out-of-state plates, and people arriving on foot, by bike or on horseback pay $4 each. Annual passes start at $29 for Colorado residents who add the Keep Colorado Wild Pass to their vehicle registration. The fenced dog off-leash area needs its own pass, $3 a day or $25 a year.
Hours & Fees at a Glance
Hours
- Park: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, year-round.
- Park office: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It sits on the east side of the park, toward the middle of the reservoir, between the Heronry Picnic Area and the campground.
- Campground office: Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.
- Swim beach: Memorial Day through Labor Day, sunrise to sunset (Swim Beach).
- Boat inspections: seasonal hours by month (Boating).
Daily Passes
- Daily vehicle pass, Colorado plates: $10–$12. Covers one vehicle and everyone in it for the day.
- Daily vehicle pass, out-of-state plates: $15–$17.
- Individual daily pass: $4 per person entering on foot, bicycle, horseback or similar.
CPW publishes each daily fee as a range, so check the CPW park page for today's rate before you go.
Annual and Special Passes (Colorado State Parks)
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass: $29, added when Colorado residents renew a vehicle registration through the DMV. Good for 12 months at all state parks.
- Annual vehicle pass (affixed): $80 for one vehicle.
- Family annual pass (hang tag): $120 for members of the same household.
- Aspen Leaf annual pass: $70 for Colorado residents 64 and older.
- Centennial Pass: $14 for income-eligible Colorado residents.
- Columbine Pass: $14 for Colorado residents with disabilities.
- Blue Spruce Pass: $10, lifetime, for Colorado resident first responders with disabilities.
- Independence Lifetime Pass: free for Colorado resident veterans with disabilities.
- Veterans license plate: disabled veteran or Purple Heart plates get free entry.
Other Fees at Chatfield
- Dog off-leash pass: $3 a day or $25 a year, plus your park pass (Dog Off-Leash Area).
- Campsite: $36–$41 a night, plus a park pass (Camping).
- Group picnic areas: $100–$150 a day depending on the shelter, plus a $10 reservation fee (Plan Your Visit).
- Commercial use permit (weddings, races, professional photography): $50 non-refundable processing fee; apply at least 90 days ahead.
Where to Buy a Pass
Passes are sold at the entrance stations, the park office and the campground office. When those aren't staffed, self-serve stations take cash, checks and credit cards. Annual passes can also be bought online at cpwshop.com.
Free Entry Day
Colorado Parks and Wildlife lists free state park entry for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day, November 11, 2026.
Hours, Fees & Passes FAQ
How much does it cost to get into Chatfield State Park?
A daily vehicle pass is $10–$12 with Colorado plates and $15–$17 with out-of-state plates. Walk-ins, cyclists and riders pay $4 per person. Annual passes start at $29 with the Keep Colorado Wild Pass.
What are Chatfield State Park's hours?
The park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. The park office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Do you need a pass for Chatfield in winter?
Yes. A Colorado state park pass is required year-round on every vehicle entering Chatfield.
Is the Keep Colorado Wild Pass good at Chatfield?
Yes. The $29 Keep Colorado Wild Pass, added to a Colorado vehicle registration, covers entry to Colorado state parks including Chatfield for 12 months.
Is the dog park included in the Chatfield park pass?
No. The Dog Off-Leash Area needs its own pass, $3 a day or $25 a year, in addition to the park pass.
Facts checked against the CPW page for Chatfield State Park on October 24, 2026.