Top 20 Lakes around Littleton

For a wide range of family-friendly activities, Chatfield Reservoir at Chatfield State Park is an excellent choice. It offers boating, swimming, fishing, and 26 miles of trails for biking and hiking. Many campsites are available for extended stays. Another great option is Cherry Creek State Park South Entrance, which provides access to an 880-acre reservoir with opportunities for water sports and a sandy beach for swimming.

Yes, Chatfield Dam Trail (Paved Section) offers a short, paved, and wheelchair-accessible path. It provides excellent vantage points for watching boats, enjoying mountain views, and observing the dog park.

The larger reservoirs like Chatfield Reservoir and Cherry Creek Reservoir are hubs for water sports. At Chatfield, you can enjoy powerboating, water skiing, sailing, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Cherry Creek Reservoir also offers boating, jet skiing, paddleboarding, and swimming at its sandy beach.

The Marjorie Perry Nature Preserve is a sanctuary for birdwatching and wildlife, with sightings of beavers, various waterfowl, songbirds, hawks, and owls. South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center, which includes lakes like Eaglewatch, Redtail, Blackrock, and Cooley Lake, is also excellent for abundant wildlife viewing, including hundreds of bird species. Hine Lake is another good spot for birdwatching.

Yes, fishing is popular at many lakes. Chatfield Reservoir offers year-round fishing for species like bass, trout, bluegill, and walleye, including ice fishing in winter. Harriman Lake is a tranquil spot specifically for shore fishing. Hine Lake is also a popular fishing spot for bass, bluegill, and perch. Within South Platte Park, five of the lakes are open for fishing for small-mouth bass and trout.

Chatfield State Park offers 26 miles of trails for hiking and biking around Chatfield Reservoir. Harriman Lake features a peaceful 1.43-mile natural surface loop trail. Hine Lake has a 1.06-mile loop trail with both concrete and granite sand surfaces. South Platte Park and Carson Nature Center provide miles of natural surface trails for walking and nature-watching, along with paved regional trail connections.

Yes, Chatfield State Park is very dog-friendly, featuring a large 69-acre off-leash dog park. Cherry Creek State Park also has a large off-leash dog park. Always check specific park regulations for leash requirements on trails and other areas.

The lakes are enjoyable year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures for hiking and wildlife viewing. Summer is ideal for water sports and swimming. Winter provides opportunities for ice fishing at Chatfield Reservoir when conditions allow, and some trails remain open for winter hiking.

Absolutely! Many lakes are integrated into extensive trail networks. For example, you can find routes like the 'Chatfield State Park and High Line Canal Trail Loop' or the 'South Platte Reservoir – View from Chatfield Dam loop'. You can explore more cycling options in the Cycling around Littleton guide or the Road Cycling Routes around Littleton guide.

The lakes around Littleton offer diverse natural features. You'll find expansive reservoirs, tranquil irrigation-fed lakes, and lakes nestled within nature preserves. Expect to see varied habitats including partially submerged cottonwood trees, upland prairies, wetlands, meadows, and woodlands. Many locations provide panoramic views of the lakes and surrounding landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains.

Yes, the area around Littleton's lakes provides numerous running opportunities. Trails like the 'Mary Carter Greenway Trail' often connect to or run alongside the lakes, offering scenic routes. For more detailed running routes, check out the Running Trails around Littleton guide.

Yes, the South Platte Reservoir area offers panoramic views of several interconnected lakes, including Eaglewatch, Redtail, and Blackrock lakes. The surrounding bike path provides a pleasant ride with continuous scenic vistas.