Chatfield State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Located in Littleton, Colorado, south of Denver, the state's capital and most populous city, Chatfield State Park boasts numerous events and activities for its nearly 2 million annual visitors to enjoy. Much of Chatfield State Park's terrain is paved, so it is easy to walk, bike or skate on. Home to multiple bodies of water, approximately 26 miles of trails, and more than 300 species of birds, plants, and wildlife, this 3,895-acre state park has plenty to see and do. The beautiful park hosts multiple events regularly throughout each week of the year. Some regular events include Pine Needle Basket Making, Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk and Animal Adoption Day. The park also hosts special events for holidays, such as pumpkin carving contests in October.
Nearby Cities:
Denver, CO
Aurora, CO
Boulder, CO
Colorado Springs, CO
Spring 35-62 F
Summer 55-83 F
Fall 34-64 F
Winter 13-46 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Chatfield State Park
Campground Accommodations
Chatfield State Park Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Flush toilets, hot showers, laundry, drinking water, firewood, a large playground, a sanitary waste station
Chatfield State Park Campground
Bordered by native grasses and within walking distance to the lake, the park’s campgrounds let you rest and recharge in peace while staying close to all the action. Open all year, there are 197 sites spread across four campgrounds: 51 sites with electrical hookups and 146 sites with full hookups. Rates are $36-$41 per night.
Water hookup: Yes (spring / summer only)
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Showers, flush toilets, laundry facility, grills, picnic tables, fire pits, hiking, biking, horseback riding, equestrian stalls, swimming, water sports, dumping station, boat ramp
Indian Paintbrush Campground
If the campgrounds at Chatfield are booked or you’d like to visit another beautiful park near Denver, then head to Indian Paintbrush Campground in Bear Creek Lake Regional Park. Open April to October, this well-maintained campground has 47 sites and is close to Big Soda Lake and swimming areas. Soak up panoramic views of rolling foothills and the Rocky Mountains right outside your RV. Rates are $25 per night.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: No
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Bathhouse, showers, fire pits, grills, picnic tables, swimming, hiking, hiking, horseback riding, water sports, boat ramp, dumping station
What to Do at
Chatfield State Park
Whether you just want to lounge around and enjoy nature or experience the thrill of water-skiing, jet skiing or hot-air ballooning, Chatfield State Park allows you to do it all. Horseback riding, ice fishing and boating are also popular things to do at Chatfield State Park. Additionally, if you happen to be a model airplane pilot, Chatfield State Park provides the paved runways, frequency posts and other resources you need to do that too.
Inside Chatfield State Park
Clocking in at 1,400 acres, it’s no wonder visitors flock to the park to enjoy Chatfield Reservoir by swimming, fishing, kayaking, or partaking in water sports like water skiing, jet skiing, and sailing. Explore the rest of the park by foot, bike, or horseback or take flight by launching a hot air balloon or flying a model airplane.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park offers guided hikes and campfire programs, as well as educational programs sponsored by the Audubon Society of Greater Denver.
Here are more details on the park’s most popular activities:
Hiking and Biking - Lace up your hiking boots or grab your bike and hit the 26 miles of trails that pass through the park, with average elevations reaching 5,450 feet. Take the Waterton Canyon Trail for an easier hike with amazing canyon views or get your heart pumping on the Goat Mountain Trail, whose steep inclines give way to beautiful summit views.
Horseback Riding - With most trails open to horses, equestrians will enjoy riding through miles of prairies and forests. Chatfield Stables offers horseback riding on-site with horses available for all experience levels. Rates are $40/hour/person.
Boating - Boaters will delight in the plentiful water activities at Chatfield Reservoir, whether that’s cruising around in a sailboat, paddling along in a canoe, or testing out your water skis. Boat rentals are available at the marina, where you can also eat at Seagull’s, a floating restaurant.
Swimming - Head to the western shore of Chatfield Reservoir to access the park’s swim beach, open Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are also bathroom facilities and picnic areas. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swim with a buddy!
Fishing - Anglers come to the park to take advantage of its many fishing opportunities. Cast a line to catch species like rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and catfish. Fishing licenses are required.
Fishing
Not only does Chatfield State Park have an abundant population of trout and bass, but also you can enjoy fishing for walleye, channel catfish, yellow perch, sunfish, crappie, bluegill and carp. Open-water fishing is first available during the spring, which is when you'll find ample trout. Summer is when you'll begin to find the other available species of fish. It's best to fish early in the day or late at night. Fishing licenses are required, and you can buy them at the park or campground office.
Geocaching
You can enjoy geocaching in Chatfield State Park's Platte River valley area.
Flora and Fauna
Chatfield State Park has a diverse population of flora and fauna. The rolling hills that you'll find by the park's uplands primarily have mixed prairie communities of short and midgrasses including sand dropseed, needle-and-thread, western wheatgrass, blue grams and little bluestem. You'll also see fortes such as blazing star, purple and white prairie clover, prairie sagewort, hairy golden aster, yucca, winterfat, and prickly-pear cactus. The reservoir shoreline, Plum Creek floodplains, and the South Platte River have large wetland, riparian and aquatic communities. As for its fauna, Chatfield State Park houses more than 200 species of birds and many mammals, including red foxes, prairie dogs, bald eagles, cottontail rabbits, whitetail and mule deer, and elk. Some reptiles and amphibians, including prairie rattlesnakes, common garter snakes, bull snakes, snapping turtles, yellow mud turtles, six-lined racerunner lizards, fence lizards, northern leopard frogs, western chorus frogs, bullfrogs and woodhouse toads, also call the park home.
Hiking
There are 26 miles of hiking trails. Twelve of them are paved. Be sure to watch out for bikers and skaters. Pets are allowed on leashes that are no longer than 6 feet.
Boating
You can enjoy waterskiing, sailing or other boating activities on the reservoir. The full-service marina provides boat rentals.
Biking
Chatfield State Park has 26 miles of biking trails. Twelve of those miles are paved. Make sure to warn pedestrians when you approach them.
How to Get to
Chatfield State Park
The primary entrance to Chatfield State Park is a mile south of C-470 on Wadsworth Boulevard. Make a left into the park at the traffic light. You will see a brown sign for Chatfield State Park. Don't enter at Deer Creek Canyon Road. That is the entrance to the Army Corps of Engineers.
Entering Chatfield State Park
All park passes are nonrefundable. A daily vehicle pass costs $10, and an annual pass costs $80. Several parking lots are scattered throughout the park, including at the dog park, Chatfield Lake North Boat Ramp, Chatfield Lake South Boat Ramp and Chatfield Park Swim Beach.
Daily Park Pass (Per Vehicle) : $10.0
Annual Park Pass : $80.0
Chatfield State Park features many activities throughout the year. Whether you want to enjoy swimming or picnicking in the summer or spend your time bird-watching or snowshoeing in the winter, at Chatfield State Park, you can do it all.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chatfield State Park
The best time of year to visit Chatfield State Parks depends on what you want to do at the park. For example, bird-watching in Colorado is best during the winter. However, Chatfield State Park offers the best camping options during the warmer months of the year. The summer is also the best time to enjoy the Chatfield State Park Reservoir and fish.
You can find herds of elk, deer, bald eagles, bears, red foxes, cottontail rabbits and coyotes at Chatfield State Park. You can also find 212 bird species and various reptiles and amphibians at the park.
Chatfield State Park does have designated RV camping spots available. Chatfield State Park Campground has 146 full-hookup camping sites, and 197 campsites are available in total. You need a camping permit and a park pass to Chatfield State Park in order to use the campground.
Yes, you have to reserve a camping spot at Chatfield State Park. The cost is $41 for a full-hookup campsite and $36 for an electrical-hookup-only campsite. The dump station fee is $28.
Pets are allowed at Chatfield State Park. The park has a 69-acre off-leash dog park available for pet owners to use. A daily pass to the park costs $3.
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