Cherry Creek State Park is a big slice of prairie and open water right in the Denver metro: 4,200 acres wrapped around an 880-surface-acre reservoir in Aurora, with mountain views, a sandy swim beach and 35 miles of trails a few minutes off I-225.

The park exists because of a flood-control project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Cherry Creek Dam between 1946 and 1950 to protect Denver from floods, and in 1959 Colorado leased the land around the reservoir for recreation, making Cherry Creek one of the earliest parks in the state park system. Today it is one of the busiest parks in Colorado, and it still feels wild in places: more than 40 mammals and 171 bird species live in its rolling short-grass and mixed-grass prairie, wetlands and cottonwood groves.

There is something for every season. In summer, people boat, paddle, sail, fish and swim at the beach. Year-round you can walk, run or ride 35 miles of trails, about 15 of them paved, camp at one of 133 campsites, ride horses, fly model airplanes at the park’s own runway or let your dog run in the large off-leash area. In winter, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and ice anglers take over when conditions allow. For another Front Range lake park, see our guide to Chatfield State Park.

Insider tip: Come early on a clear morning for a quiet walk along the dam road, where the reservoir and the snowcapped Front Range line up in one view. Bring binoculars; the wetlands at the south end are excellent for birding.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers free park entry for veterans and active military on November 11, 2026, and the park hosts Little Nature Explorers story time and crafts at the Swim Beach on November 18 and 25 (registration required). Boating on the reservoir is closed for the season. See cpw.state.co.us for alerts and events.