Rules & Regulations

The Chatfield State Park rules that trip up the most visitors: every vehicle needs a Colorado park pass year-round; dogs must be leashed everywhere except inside the fenced Dog Off-Leash Area, and they can't go on the swim beach at all; you may swim only at the swim beach, in season, at your own risk; every motorboat and sailboat needs registration, an ANS stamp and a pre-launch inspection; and drones and other radio-controlled devices are banned in the main park area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers are law enforcement officers who enforce these rules.

Dogs and Other Pets

• Leashed pets are allowed throughout the park except at the swim beach.
• In the campground, use a leash no longer than six feet; don't tie pets to signs, trees, shrubs or hydrants, and don't leave them alone.
• Off leash only inside the fenced Dog Off-Leash Area, with a $3 daily or $25 annual pass on the handler, voice control, a leash in hand, and no more than three dogs per handler (Dog Off-Leash Area).
• Pick up after your dog everywhere in the park.

Swimming

1. Swim only at the swim beach, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
2. No swimming between sunset and sunrise.
3. Children under 12 must be supervised by an adult; there is no lifeguard.
4. No swimming at the marina, the boat docks, Keep Out or buoyed areas, or more than 75 feet from shore in the power zone.

Boating and Paddling

• Motorboats and sailboats need current registration, an ANS stamp and a pre-launch inspection at the ramp.
• Travel counter-clockwise in the power zone; observe the two no-wake zones at the southwest and southeast ends.
• Water skiers need a lookout aboard who raises a flag when the skier is down.
• A properly sized life jacket must be aboard for every person; everyone on a personal watercraft must wear one, and paddleboarders need one too.
• The reservoir is closed to all boats and paddle craft from December 1 until ice-off (Boating).

Drones, RC Aircraft and Rockets

Radio-controlled devices, including drones and RC boats, are prohibited throughout the main park area. Radio-controlled model airplanes fly at the Model Airplane Field south of the campground, and model rockets are not allowed there.

Horses

Horses stay on designated trails, outside the main park road, and are not allowed in picnic areas, camping areas, the swim beach or along the reservoir shoreline (Horseback Riding).

Camping

• Reservation required; display your vehicle pass.
• Up to six people and two sleeping units per site; camp only in designated sites; keep vehicles and trailers on the asphalt.
• Quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; no generators during quiet hours.
• Stays are limited to 14 days in any 28-day period.
• Dump wastewater only at the dump station.
• No amplified sound in the group camping area (Camping).

Trails and Wildlife

• Stay on durable, established trails; social trails damage native plants and habitat.
• Respect posted closures, including the current tree-removal closures around the reservoir.
• View wildlife from a distance and don't feed it; human food harms wildlife.
• Leave what you find for others.

Permits

Races, weddings, organized group events, fishing tournaments, balloon launches and professional or commercial photography may need a commercial use permit. Apply at least 90 days ahead with a $50 non-refundable processing fee. Sport dog training areas need a special activity agreement permit.

Leave No Trace

CPW asks every visitor to follow the seven Leave No Trace principles: plan ahead, travel and camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimize campfire impacts, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors.