Chatfield Lake State Park is a very popular camping and recreation area in Denver, Colorado. It was built just outside of Waterton Canyon as flood prevention in the 70’s. Chatfield is a large and popular reservoir that is fed by the South Platte River. This state park is open and busy year round. One of Chatfield’s unique features is its popularity as a hot air balloon launching site. Hot air balloons can often be seen in the mornings, year round, at the park. The camping sites at the park are located in a very nice central location, giving visitors easy access to Chatfield State Park’s many different kinds of outdoor recreation. This is a great place for a day trip for anyone in the metro Denver area. If you are planning on camping here be sure to plan well ahead and reserve your favorite campsite during the busy summer months!
Chatfield State Park Campground Information
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Chatfield State Park Camping Review
Chatfield state park as a large recreational area nestled up against the foothills of Denver, Colorado. It offers a beautiful view of the mountains to the west and out over the eastern plains. Chatfield Lake is a large horseshoe-shaped body of water with many different areas for all kinds of activities to enjoy.
There are four separate large campgrounds that can accommodate any size RV. The camp sites here are spaced well and each one offers its own water, power and even dump connections for motor homes and trailers. There are nice sized trees between the camp sites, giving each one a measure of privacy.
One nice thing about the camp sites here at Chatfield state park is the shorter fire rings. Because the rings are low to the ground, the heat from the fire radiates to those sitting around the fire instead of going straight up, as it tends to do with the taller fire rings. The grills are mounted to the fire rings, and can be pulled up out of the way.
All of the roads are paved including those in the campgrounds. Most of the traffic within the campground area is one-way which helps control the large amount traffic this state park sees during peak of the season. They have also provided the level concrete pads for motor homes and trailers. If you’re tent camping, the plains grass all around the camp area offers a great place to pitch a tent. The main campground sits upon the hill away from the lake and offer spacious sites for campers.
Each of the campgrounds has a play area in the center with a large playground for the children.
There’s fresh water and electricity here year round as well as flushing toilets and showers which are only open during the normal camping season of Memorial Day through Labor Day. None of the campgrounds are on the water but they are within a short walking distance of the lake. There are many trails all around the lake. On the southeast side there is a heron rookery and wildlife observation area. The local wildlife is well documented at the head of the trail, giving you some tips on how to find them and how to identify what you see.
There are also several large group campgrounds and pavilions that are often booked throughout the summer by large groups. They’re very nice but you need to make sure you book them ahead of time. This is a great place to have large family reunions and other types of gatherings because of the group areas that have many tables together with barbecues, restrooms and playgrounds. Most of these areas are also covered to help get out of the weather and offer shade from the summer sun.
Since it is open year round, and is so close to Denver, this is an ideal location for anyone to get out for quick trip to the outdoors, but still be able to get supplies or take advantage of what the city has to offer with a few minutes’ drive. In the summer be prepared for a full park, and you may have to wait, so make sure to arrive early on popular recreational days.
There are lots of activities here. Besides camping, boating, and fishing, there’s a remote control airplane park, horseback riding around the lake and the large marina for motorboats and sailboats. This is a very popular area for hikers and bicyclists, too.
There are additional ponds on both the south and north end of the lake offering more warm water fishing as well as many hiking and bicycling trails.
Much of the lake freezes during the winner and offers excellent ice fishing. No matter what time of year you decide a visit Chatfield State Park, you should find your time there enjoyable.
Chatfield State Park Official Website
Reserve a Campsite at Chatfield State Park Today!If you have been camping at Chatfield State Park Campground please post your likes, dislikes, and suggestions. Your fellow campers would love to hear from you!
