Camping
When I was a kid, the greatest joy was going camping with the folks every summer. It’s still something I love to do every now and then – provided I have the money. It’s everything involved, from setting up a tent, getting a campfire going to fishing in a big lake. Sure, there are moments when regular fishing gets to be boring and tedious, but you’ve always got the option of going fly-fishing. Sitting by the campfire, letting that infrared heat warm you in the brisk, cool mountain air is a wonderful thing. It’s hard to describe, except to say that you feel like you’ve never known peace until that moment. Of course, one of the hastles with any camping experience is setting up the tent. Sometimes you just can’t get that spike in the ground to stay. The wind can kick up and blow your tent against the nearest tree. Don’t laugh, it’s actually happened to me.
Those peaceful nights out in the open are the most dazzling. Have you ever looked into the sky in the city and wondered where the stars are? Well, they’re there, but most big cities just don’t offer many nights of clear skies. When you finally get to see all of stars, you end up feeling like you’re the smallest, most insignificant speck in the vast blanket of space. I get to see this astonishing sight every time I go camping. It’s almost hypnotic when you crane your head back, and stare up into that endless sea of stars. But one of the greatest joys of my life was bringing my girlfriend up to the mountains, and shared a few nights in my huge tent with her. We couldn’t help but feel like we were the only two people alive on Earth. It’s intimate, and that literally brought us closer together. Children need this experience in order to better appreciate every added convenience they have in their daily lives at home. I can’t recommend going camping more.
If you’re in Colorado and you want to go camping at one of the many sights here, go to campcolorado.com. You can find the best campgrounds in a number of different regions throughout the state. You can get the latest news on activities happening at all the different campgrounds. The last time I went camping, I looked at campcolorado.com to find a new place to go. I was naive enough to think there wasn’t a lot of locations available throughout Colorado, and I’ve lived here for a better part of my life. But I found a great number of different campgrounds – most of which I still haven’t even seen yet. It’s a great site for finding out how to get to the campground and what things you can do when you get there.
Hiking
There are many great place to hike in Colorado. Enjoy some beautiful sights, climb up some great mountains, stand at the peak of the Rocky Mountains and take a deep breath. The air may be a little thin, your legs may be killing you, but you’ll feel pretty proud of yourself. See the green trees of the rockies. See some historical monuments along the way. The Rocky Mountains are incredible this time of year. It’s not too cold and it’s not too hot. You can calm yourself with the sound of running streams and rivers.
Fishing
Talk about calming. There isn’t a more painstakingly tedious thing to do than to fish. Once your lure is out there and you’re waiting for that fish to bite the bait, this activity can move as slow as a snail. But when that fish is on your line, there’s a great rush of adrenaline that makes it all worthwhile. You try your hardest to pull that line back and see your catch. Remember though, there are certain rules in certain lakes across Colorado about fishing. You have to throw back any fish that is too small. It’s a nice thing to do. You’re a humanitarian for such an act of kindness. Don’t fret, that big sucker is out there waiting to get caught. Just have to keep at it.
Mountain Parks in Colorado
Daniels Park – Located 21 miles south of Denver is mostly a Bison preserve. People can see animals in a high-plains habitat. They can also get some of the best views of the Rocky Mountains from the picnic area. In order to reach the park, you can drive south on I-25 to exit 188 or Castle Pines Parkway and travel west to Daniel’s Park Road.
Newton Park – Located 32 miles southwest of Denver, this park offers three picnic sites seperated by the surrounding hills. Included at these sites are 35 tables, a large grill, counter serving space, electricity, a ball field, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits and a firepit with benches. There’s outhouses, but no toilet paper. To get to Newton Park, take Colorado Highway 285 to Foxton Road. The first picnic site you come to is what they call the “Juvenile group” picnic site, second is the “Commissioner” site and then, the “Stromberg” site.
Deer Creek Park – Located 20 miles south of Denver on County Road 124, this park is 90 acres of undeveloped open space inside of Deer Creek Canyon. This is a wildlife preserve. A truly beautiful place that we all should treasure.
Dedisse Park – Located 27 miles west of Denver on Colorado State Highway 74, this beautiful park and adjoining reservoir offers a charcoal grill, picnic areas, a shelter house an 18-hole golf course and clubhouse with restaurant, volleyball, and fishing.For more info, call (303) 512-9300.
Cub Creek Park – Located 29 miles west of Denver on Little Cub Creek Road, this “park” is really just some beautiful wide open space.
Dillon Park – Located 30 miles west of Denver, this sweet little plot of land is an area of Cub Creek Park. The park offers a hiking trail, charcoal grill and picnic areas.
Corwina Park – Located 22 miles west of Denver on Colorado Highway 74 and situated in Bear Creek Canyon, this beautiful little park is another wildlife preserve. But this park offers a hiking trail, fishing, charcoal grills, picnic areas and a shelter house. Maybe you’ll see some protected wildlife.
Colorow Point Park – Located 19 miles west of Denver and one mile west of Lookout Mountain Road on Colorow Road, this is just another beautiful wildlife preserve. It overlooks Clear Creek Canyon from Lookout Mountain, and believe me, it’s worth a gander.
Bear Creek Canyon – Located between Morrison and Idledale along Bear Creek and Colorado Highway 74. It’s a wildlife preserve, it’s a beautiful area, it’s definitely a place you should check out in your travels. It’s got fishing access.
Bergen Park – Located 27 miles west of Denver on Colorado State Highway 74, between I-70 and Evergreen, this beautiful park has charcoal grills, picnic shelter and tables, and a restroom. It also features a horseshoe pit, and a sand volleyball court.
Bell Park – Located in the Cub Creek area, this park offers undeveloped open space traversed by Little Cub Creek. You get to see a beautiful forest of pine. It’s really just a nice place to visit. Bell Park is another wildlife preserve.
Echo Lake Park – Located 47 miles west of Denver, this cool 617-acre park has a shelter house with picnic facilities. Be sure to take a camera, you won’t regret it.
Fillius Park – Located 25 miles west of Denver on State Highway 74, this quaint park offers charcoal grills, a picnic area, shelter house, volleyball court and horseshoes. It’s also a wildlife preserve.
Genesee Park – Located 20 miles west of Denver on I-70, this great park is a wildlife preserve where Bison and Elk herds can be seen. The park offers 3 trailhead hiking trails: the Beaver Brook Trail, the Braille Trail, and the Chavez Trail. You can also find picnic areas, and charcoal grills. Visitors can play softball and volleyball or even horseshoe.
Lakes in Colorado
Barnum Lake in Barnum Park
Location: West of Federal Blvd. between 6th Ave. and 3rd Ave., with parking access from Hooker St.
Size: 9 acres; 5 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.7 miles.
Fish: Bluegill, carp, channel catfish, and sucker.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and Stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Recreation center, picnic sites, playground, and restrooms.
Berkeley Lake in Berkeley Park
Location: South of I-70 between Sheridan Blvd. and Tennyson St. Main entrance is on 46th Ave. with parking. Also access from Tennyson St.
Size: 40 acres; 12 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.9 miles.
Fishing: Catch some largemouth bass, orangespotted sunfish, sucker, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, and rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked in spring).
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Recreation center, picnic sites, playground, and restrooms on the south side of the lake. Hard-surface foot trail.
Bluff Lake in Bluff Lake Park
Location: Havana at 32nd Ave.
Size: 9 acres.
Agency: Aviation
Echo Lake in Denver Mountain Parks
Location: Clear Creek County. Arapaho National Forest. From Idaho Springs, drive south 12 miles on Highway 103. Lake is south of the highway just west of Mount Evans Road.
Size: 22.8 acres; 7 feet maximum depth.
Fishing: Catch some rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked).
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: USGS Idaho Springs quad; altitude 10,720 feet. West Chicago Creek Campground is 8 miles west. Echo Lake Lodge food and beverage services with restrooms at entrance to Mount Evans Road (open Memorial Day through September). No boats. No humans or pets are allowed in or on the water. The only lake activity allowed is fishing from the shoreline. The ecosystem of high-altitude lakes is fragile.
Evergreen Lake in Dedisse Park in Denver Mountain Parks
Location: Jefferson County. From Denver, go west on I-70 to Evergreen Parkway (old El Ranch Exit). Go south on Highway 74 to Evergreen. The lake is south of Highway 74 and Upper Bear Creek Road.
Size: 42 acres; 23 feet maximum depth.
Fishing: Catch some brown and rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked), sucker, tiger muskie, and splake.
Agency: Evergreen Parks and Recreation Department through a cooperative agreement with Denver Parks and Recreation.
Hours and stuff: USGS Evergreen quad; altitude 7,072 feet. Boating by Evergreen permit only (open late May). No power boats. Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier and marsh viewing boardwalk. Parking available above and below dam.
Ferril Lake in City Park
Location: North of 17th Ave. and west of Colorado Blvd. Parking area on the northwest side of the lake between the park and the Denver Zoo.
Size: 25 acres; 8 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.8 miles.
Fishing: Catch some bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, gizzard shad, green sunfish, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked in spring).
Other lakes in City Park: Duck Lake, 6.3 acres, 0.4 miles; Sediment Pond, 2 acres, 0.17 miles; Children’s Zoo Lake, 1 acre, 0.17 miles.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and Stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. No fishing from rental paddleboats. Picnic sites and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail around lake.
Garfield Lake in Garfield Park
Location: South of W. Mississippi Ave. between S. Federal Blvd. and S. Sheridan Blvd. Access from either S. Lowell Blvd. and Mississippi, or S. Newton St. and W. Arizona Ave. (east from S. Osceola St.).
Size: 10 acres; 4 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.5 miles.
Fishing: Catch some largemouth bass, bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, and green sunfish.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Recreation center, picnic sites, playground, and restrooms.
Harvey Lake in Harvey Park
Location: Between S. Sheridan Blvd. and S. Federal Blvd., just south of W. Evans Ave. and east of S. Tennyson St.
Size: 8.5 acres; 14 feet maximum depth.
Perimeter: 0.4 miles.
Fishing: Catch some bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, green sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, and yellow perch.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Recreation center, picnic sites, playground, and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail access from Evans Ave.
Huston Lake in Huston Lake Park
Location: East of S. Federal Blvd. about 4 blocks, between W. Ohio Ave. and W. Kentucky Ave. Southeast of the intersection of Ohio and S. Clay St.
Size: 13 acres; 6 feet maximum depth.
Perimeter: 0.6 miles.
Fishing: Catch some largemouth bass, sucker, yellow perch, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, and crappie.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Recreation Center, picnic sites, playground, and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail around the lake.
Lake in Kelly Open Space
Location: 11th Ave. and Uinta Way.
Size: 23.26 acres.
Agency: Lowry Redevelopment Authority
Kennedy Lake in J.F. Kennedy Golf Course
Location: 10500 E. Hampden Ave.
Size: 5 acres. Perimeter: 0.4 miles.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Little Lake Henry in Lake of Lakes Park
Location: Carr St. and Quincy Ave.
Size: 3.5 acres. Perimeter: 0.4 miles.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Lollipop Lake in Garland Park
Location: Between S. Holly St. and S. Kearney St. north of Cherry Creek Dr. N.
Size: 4 acres; 8 feet maximum depth.
Perimeter: 0.4 miles.
Fishing: Catch some largemouth bass, orangespotted sunfish, sucker, yellow perch, bluegill, bullhead, channel catfish, crappie, and green sunfish.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and Stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Picnic sites, playground, and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail.
Lake in Northside Park
Location: 51st Ave. and Downing St.
Size: 3 acres.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Overland Pond in Overland Pond Park
Location: North of W. Florida Ave. between S. Santa Fe Dr. and the South Platte River trail. Parking area is north of Florida.
Size: 1.5 acre; 7 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.2 miles.
Fishing: Catch some bluegill, carp, crappie, bullhead, and largemouth bass.
Other lake in Overland Pond Open Space:
Overland Lake, 11 acres, 0.7 miles. No fishing. Golf concession.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Fly casting practice pad on the south shore and handicapped-accessible fishing pier.
Overland Lake in Overland Lake Open Space
Location: North of W. Florida Ave. between S. Santa Fe Dr. and the South Platte River trail. Parking area is north of Florida.
Size: 11 acres. 0.7 miles.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Sadly, no fishing. Golf concession.
Lake in Parkfield Open Space
Location: D.I.A. Gateway Chambers N of I-70.
Size: 14 acres.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Rocky Mountain Lake in Rocky Mountain Lake Park
Location: W. 46th Ave. between Federal Blvd. and Lowell Blvd. Parking areas north of 46th Ave.
Size: 29 acres; 40 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.9 miles.
Fishing: Catch some bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, green sunfish, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, sucker, rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked in spring).
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Picnic sites, playground, and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail.
Skeel Reservoir in Wellshire Golf Course
Location: 3333 S. Colorado Blvd.
Size: 13.4 acres. Perimeter: 0.6 miles.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Sloan’s Lake (including Cooper Lake) in Sloan’s Lake Park
Location: East of Sheridan Blvd. between W. 25th Ave. and W. 17th Ave. Parking areas all around the lake.
Size: 174 acres; 5 feet deep in the main body of the lake west of the island but upwards of 8 feet deep east of the island. Perimeter: 2.6 miles.
Fishing: Catch some bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, green sunfish, orangespotted sunfish, rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked in spring), sucker, and yellow perch.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Hours and Stuff: Boating with permit. No fishing from boats. On-site Boat Ranger’s Office. Premier carp fishery. Boat house and boat ramp. Picnic sites, playgrounds, and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail around the lake.
South Platte River
Location:South Denver city limits to north Denver city limits.
Size: 10.5 miles.
Summit Lake in Denver Mountain Parks
Location: Clear Creek County. Arapaho National Forest. From Idaho Springs, drive 12 miles south on Highway 103 to Echo Lake. East of lake turn south on Mount Evans Road, Highway 5. Drive 9 miles, the lake is just west of the road.
Size: 35 acres; 70 feet maximum depth.
Fishing: Catch some rainbow and cutthroat trout.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation Department
Hours and stuff: USGS Mount Evans quad; altitude 12, 900 feet. Roadside fishery. Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Rough handicapped-accessible trail. Echo Lake Lodge food and beverage services with restrooms at entrance to Mount Evans Road (open Memorial Day through September). No boats. No humans or pets are allowed in or on the water. The only lake activity allowed is fishing from the shoreline. The ecosystem of high-altitude lakes is fragile.
Vanderbilt Pond in Vanderbilt Park
Location: North of W. Tennessee Av. Between S. Santa Fe Dr. and S. Huron St. Access from W. Mississippi Ave.
Size: 6 acres; 15 feet maximum depth.
Fishing: Catch some green sunfish.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Comments: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. No boats. Hard-surface foot trail.
Washington Park Lakes
Location: Northeast of the intersection of S. Downing St. and E. Louisiana Ave. The north lake (Smith Lake) has parking areas all around it, while the south lake (Grasmere Lake) has street parking only.
Size:
Smith Lake – 19 acres; 12 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.6 miles. Size:
Grasmere Lake – 19 acres; 10 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.8 miles.Size: Lily Pond – 1 acre; 8 feet maximum depth. Perimeter: 0.18 miles.
Fishing:
Smith Lake — Bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, crappie, gizzard shad, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, rainbow trout (catchable-size stocked in spring), and yellow perch.Fish:
Grasmere Lake – Bluegill, bullhead, carp, channel catfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, and yellow perch.
Agency: Denver Parks and Recreation
Special Regulations: Lily Pond is open to anglers 16 years of age or younger for fishing clinics.
Hours and stuff: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Boats are allowed on Smith Lake from dawn until dusk. (i.e. canoes, kayaks, rowboats and small sailboats up to 20ft maximum) Fishing piers at both lakes. Handicapped access to fishing pier on the south shore of Smith Lake. Recreation center, picnic sites, playgrounds, and restrooms. Hard-surface foot trail.
