Top 8 Lakes around Sherrelwood

For a wide range of outdoor activities, Standley Lake is an excellent choice, offering fishing, paddling, and extensive trails. Bear Creek Lake Park, with its three lakes (Bear Creek Lake, Big Soda Lake, and Little Soda Lake), provides opportunities for motorized and non-motorized boating, swimming, fishing, and a vast trail system for hiking and biking.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly activities. Standley Lake has a designated swim beach, trails, and a Nature Center with educational programs. Bear Creek Lake Park features a sandy swim beach at Big Soda Lake, playgrounds, and picnic areas, making it ideal for families. Sloan's Lake also offers playgrounds and paddleboarding.

Anglers have several great options. Standley Lake is stocked with over 13 species, including bass, trout, and walleye, and has an ADA-accessible fishing pier. Lowell Ponds Wildlife Area is highly recommended for bass and catfish fishing. Bear Creek Lake is also a popular spot for fishing, stocked with rainbow trout, saugeye, and smallmouth bass.

For peaceful walks and excellent birdwatching, Lowell Ponds Wildlife Area is a serene environment known for attracting diverse bird species, especially during migration. Standley Lake is also a prime destination for wildlife viewing, particularly for observing bald eagles.

Absolutely. Standley Lake boasts 14 miles of trails for hiking, walking, running, and cycling. Bear Creek Lake Park offers over 15 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Additionally, the nearby Clear Creek trail, accessible from Lowell Ponds Wildlife Area, is great for biking and mild hiking. You can find more running trails around the area in the Running Trails around Sherrelwood guide.

Big Soda Lake within Bear Creek Lake Park is ideal for swimming, with a sandy swim beach open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It's also excellent for non-motorized boating like paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and windsurfing. Standley Lake also has a designated swim beach and is popular for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Yes, View of Denver skyline from Sloan's Lake west shore offers a great view looking east across Sloan's Lake towards the city skyline. This is the largest lake in Denver and provides a scenic backdrop for various activities.

The lakes near Sherrelwood offer activities year-round. Summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day) is best for swimming and warm-weather water sports. Spring and fall provide pleasant temperatures for hiking, biking, and birdwatching. In winter, some parks like Bear Creek Lake Park offer ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Bear Creek Lake, located within Bear Creek Lake Park, is open for motorized boating with a 10hp limit from March 15 to November 15. This is one of the few options for motorized watercraft in the area.

Several cycling routes incorporate the scenic lakes. The Clear Creek trail, which passes by Lowell Ponds Wildlife Area, is a good option. You can explore more cycling routes, including those that pass by lakes, in the Cycling around Sherrelwood guide, which features routes like the South Platte River Trail – Valente Lake loop.

Yes, Bear Creek Lake Park offers camping facilities, including campsites, yurts, and cabins, providing an opportunity to extend your stay and enjoy the natural surroundings. Standley Lake Regional Park also features a campground.

Free parking lots are available outside the main entrance for those who wish to access the trails around Standley Lake without paying a vehicle fee. Bear Creek Lake Park has an admission fee to enter, which covers parking within the park.