Chatfield State Park451

Chatfield is home to one of the area's largest lakes - about 1,500 acres of water - and that means... fishing!

The lake is periodically stocked with rainbow trout and other fish by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Open-water fishing starts in the spring. Throughout the summer, bass, perch, crappie, catfish and an occasional trout are caught, with the best action early and late in the day or at night. Fall's cooler temperatures mean the trout return from deep water into the shallows. Good trout fishing continues until the lake freezes.

For model-airplane pilots, Chatfield provides paved runways, frequency posts, and field regulations for radio-controlled aircraft in an area south of the campgrounds.

The park also offers camping (reserve campsites over the internet or by phone), a full-service livery (horses may be leased at the Chatfield Livery, west of the swim beach: 303.933.3636), miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, and one of the most popular hot-air balloon launch areas on the Front Range.

The marina at Chatfield State Park also offers a variety of boat rentals, ranging from 14-foot fishing boats and pontoons to canoes and a sea kayak. Call 303-791-5555 to make a rental reservation.

A concession stand looms at Swim Beach if you've neglected to bring a picnic along. The Candy Man offers standard concession fare: hotdogs, hamburgers, soda, and sno-cones.

Great blue herons nest at Chatfield from March through September in the heronry on the south side of the park.