On April 11, Governor Jared Polis crowned Chatfield as the best state park among the more than forty that stretch across Colorado, from Mancos to North Sterling. It earned the title after people voted online in a March Madness-style bracket introduced by Polis on March 18.
Polis was at the park at 11500 Roxborough Park Road in Littleton to announce the honor. “Whether you’re riding your bike, camping, or boating across the reservoir, Chatfield State Park has it all," the governor said. "In Colorado, we are proud to be home to so many amazing state parks, and remain committed to expanding outdoor recreation opportunities and access, and making sure our state parks remain beautiful for generations to come."
It's no easy feat to beat out other state parks. Sprawling Cherry Creek State Park is popular for its location, reservoir and access to the Cherry Creek Trail. Golden Gate Canyon State Park in Golden boasts bright yellow foliage in the fall and a 100-mile panoramic view of the Continental Divide. Roxborough State Park, just six miles south of Chatfield, has million-year-old sandstone monoliths, which the National Park Service designated as national natural landmarks.
Staunton State Park is about an hour from most of metro Denver; here you can be surrounded by forest and discover waterfalls where snow melts into spring. Eldorado State Park in Eldorado Springs is dense with spruce and pine trees, as well as sandstone rocks perfect rock climbing.
Along with Chatfield, the final four were Golden Gate Canyon (which beat out Cherry Creek in the Elite Eight), Staunton and Eldorado state parks.
What makes Chatfield the best? Here are three reasons:
The Longest and Best Trails in the State
Chatfield's location in southwest Littleton makes it a sort of gateway between Colorado's most populated metro area and the mountains. Because of this, the park is the starting point for two of the state's longest trails.The High Line Canal trail starts near the south end of Chatfield by the Platte Canyon Reservoir. Cyclists, runners, hikers and even equestrians can spend the entire day traveling along the 71-mile trail, a tranquil route through Cherry Hills Village, Denver, Aurora and Green Valley Ranch. The trail has signs detailing its rich history and ecosystem, and it's dotted with parks that make great stops for families with kids.
The Colorado Trail is a 567-mile-long trail from metro Denver to Durango that showcases all the natural beauty of the state; it starts in Chatfield at the Waterton Canyon Trailhead. Whether you want to take on the full trail in an epic backpacking trip or just check out the first segment, you can find a parking lot and the Waterton Canyon Trailhead immediately north of the High Line Canal trailhead. The first few miles of the Colorado Trail are paved, making it ideal for biking.
The first marker of the High Line trail appears south of Chatfield State Park in Littleton.
Bennito L. Kelty
Drone Zones and Hot Air Balloons
Colorado has only two state parks where drones are allowed to fly: Cherry Creek and Chatfield, which has a small airfield for drones and other remote-controlled aircraft south of the reservoir. There are even mini runways for people flying model airplanes, and picnic tables around the field so that you can make a day out of your visit.If you'd rather be up in the air instead on the ground, Chatfield hosts vendors offering hot air balloon rides, like Rocky Mountain Hot Air and Cloudbase Balloons.
The balloons are a lovely sight as they drift over Chatfield Reservoir, but they can freak out dogs enjoying the park's 69-acre off-leash area north of the reservoir.
Water, Water Everywhere!
If you've ever wondered why a resident of Colorado would need a boat or a jet ski, go to Chatfield Reservoir and see how much fun they're having. South Wadsworth Boulevard, which runs along the west side of the park, can be backed up for miles as trucks pulling boats and jet skis wait their turn at one of the park's two docks.The park also has a marina in the middle — north of the drone zone and mini airfield — where people can park their boats and sit in the sun, with the wind and water cooling them off.
Other aquatic activities like water skiing, paddle boarding and even fishing are popular at Chatfield, With only a pole and a state fishing license, avid anglers can fish for trout in the spring and then walleye, bass, perch, crappie and catfish in the summer. Ice fishing is allowed in the winter, too.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park's swim beach on the west side of the reservoir is open from sunrise to sunset. Dogs have their own swimming area in the off-leash park, and they create a delightful scene as they paddle and pant in the warmer months — just don't stand too close when they get out.
