Plan Your Visit

Chatfield State Park packs a lot into one place on Denver's southwest edge: boating, water skiing and paddleboarding on the reservoir, a summer swim beach, fishing and ice fishing, more than 26 miles of trails for hiking, biking and riding, a 69-acre off-leash dog area, camping, horse rentals, a model airplane field and one of the Front Range's most popular hot air balloon launch areas. The park is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and a daily vehicle pass is $10–$12 with Colorado plates.

What to Do by Season

• Spring: open-water fishing for trout and walleye; boating opens March 1 as the ice allows; inspections start daily at the ramps in April.
• Summer: the swim beach (Memorial Day to Labor Day), water skiing and paddleboarding, boat rentals at the marina, and camping.
• Fall: trail walks and rides, hayrides at Big Horn Stables, and CPW events such as Park 'til Dark (October 30, 2026).
• Winter: ice fishing, usually by mid-December, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and winter camping in C-Loop.

Group Picnic Areas

Four group picnic areas take reservations year-round, up to six months ahead, at cpwshop.com or 1-800-244-5613, with a $10 reservation fee on top of the daily price.

• Marina Point: west of the south boat ramp area; up to 125 guests; $150. Two grills, eight tables, water, electricity, flush restrooms, horseshoe pits, volleyball poles.
• Riverside: up to 125 guests; $150; same amenities as Marina Point.
• Heronry Overlook: above the great blue heron nesting trees south of the reservoir; up to 350 guests; $100. Covered platform shelter, 12 tables, two grills, water, vault toilets, horseshoes, volleyball poles.
• Fox Run: on the shoreline of the southwest no-wake end; up to 75 guests; $100. Eight tables, two grills, water, portable toilets, horseshoes, volleyball poles.

Individual picnic sites with tables and grills are scattered through the park, first come, first served.

Hot Air Balloons

Chatfield is one of the most popular hot air balloon launch areas on the Front Range. Balloons lift off from the Montgolfier Balloon Port near the Deer Creek entrance. To ride, book with a balloon company that offers flights at Chatfield. Licensed pilots need a recreational balloon permit on top of a vehicle pass, and commercial pilots need a commercial activity permit (email chatfield.park@state.co.us).

Model Airplanes and Drones

The Chatfield Model Airplane Field, south of the campground, has paved runways and frequency posts for radio-controlled aircraft, run under an operating agreement with the Jeffco Aeromodelers club. Model rockets aren't allowed. Outside the field, radio-controlled devices, including drones and RC boats, are prohibited throughout the main park area.

Events, Weddings and Group Activities

CPW runs park programs and interpretive walks through the year; check CPW's events calendar. A commercial use permit may be needed for races, weddings, organized groups, fishing tournaments, professional photography and similar events. Apply at least 90 days ahead with a $50 non-refundable processing fee.

Accessibility

The paved Chatfield Dam Trail is ADA accessible, many other trails are mobility-device friendly, an accessible fishing pier sits near the marina, and an accessible trail reaches the South Platte River. The campground has accessible sites, and a special shower attachment is available on request at the Campground Registration Building.

What to Bring

1. Your park pass, or cash or a card for the self-serve station.
2. Drinking water, sunscreen and a wind layer; Front Range storms build fast in the afternoon.
3. A life jacket for every person on the water.
4. A leash and bags for the dog, and the dog off-leash pass if you're using the fenced area.

Know Before You Go

• Use one of the two entrance addresses in your map app (Entrances & Directions).
• Leashed dogs are welcome everywhere except the swim beach (Rules & Regulations).
• Check CPW's park page for closures; tree-removal work around the reservoir has closed some areas.
• Heading to Rocky Mountain National Park too? It's about 2 hours north and needs a timed entry reservation in summer (Rocky Mountain NP Timed Entry).