Barr Lake State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us303-659-6005
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Adams County, about 3 miles southeast of Brighton, Barr Lake State Park covers about 2,682 acres.
The park supports cross-country skiing, horseback riding, ice fishing, winter sports, and historic sites. On the water side, there is a boat ramp and a fishing pier.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Visitor center — Nature Center | Tue–Sun | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park: Daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nature Center: Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Monday)
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $10 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $15 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $4 · day |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15 Individual Daily Pass: $4
Colorado park passes
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass — $29. Annual vehicle entry for Colorado residents, bought with DMV vehicle registration Details
- Individual Annual Pass — $29. Non-vehicle entry (foot, bike, horse) for passholder plus three accompanying visitors; resident or nonresident Details
- Family Annual Pass (hang tag) — $120. One household; transferable between vehicles Details
- Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass — $80. One vehicle; resident or nonresident Details
- Aspen Leaf Pass — $70. Colorado residents 64+, vehicle registered in Colorado; $3/night camping discount Sun–Thu Details
From the Colorado state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals, Horses
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
ArcheryBikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingWinter sportsCross-country skiingHistoric sites and toursFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingIce fishingCanoeing and kayakingPicnicking
Trails
Barr Lakes offers great trail opportunities for visitors wanting to hike, bike or ride their horse. Be sure to read the Trail Restrictions.
Interactive Map
Colorado Trail Explorer (CoTrex) Map
Open in new tab
Featured Trails
Lake Perimeter Trail
9 miles, dirt mainly
Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding
Leashed dogs
Perimeter Trail Map
Prairie Welcome Trail
1.1 miles, dirt and paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding
Leashed dogs
Prairie Welcome Trail Map
Niedrach Nature Trail
1/2 mile, unpaved
Hiking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing
No dogs
Niedrach Nature Trail Map
Wildlife Observation Trail
789 feet, boardwalk
Hiking and Nordic skiing
Leashed dogs
Wildlife Observation Trail Map
Wildlife Viewing Gazebo Trail
983 feet
Hiking, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing
Read more from the park
No dogs
Wildlife Viewing Gazebo Trail Map
Trail Closures & Restrictions
Closures
Trails and recreation at Barr Lake State Park will be impacted as the five-year dam rehabilitation project resumed mid-July. Sections of the Lake Loop trail will be closed weekdays due to dam construction through the fall season, with the trail reopening on weekends.
Currently the section of Lake Loop trail between the south entrance of Niedrach trail to Mile Marker #2, just East of the Rookery Gazebo offshoot trail, is closed.
See Map and News release for more information.
Restrictions
Horses
The road across the top of the dam (Crest Trail) is open to hikers and bicycles, but not to horses. Horseback riders can use the lower trail below the dam. Bicycles and horses are permitted on the main trails, but not on the boardwalks.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed in the wildlife refuge area. Please plan ahead, and do not bring them on hikes that include this protected section of the park.
Boating and paddling
Boating
Boating
Boating is limited to the north side of the lake only. The south side is closed to all boating as it is designated as a wildlife refuge.
Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and check for updates throughout the season, as the season progresses, lake levels can become low, causing the lake to be closed to boating activities. See more under Boat Ramp above.
Allowed watercraft:
- Hand-launched boats (kayaks, paddle boards, etc.)
- Sailboats
- Motorized boats with a motor of 10 horsepower or less
- All other watercraft are prohibited
All motorized boats are required to undergo an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection prior to launching.
Fishing
Fishing
Channel catfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rainbow trout, walleye, bluegill and wiper are among the species that have been stocked at Barr Lake by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A valid Colorado fishing license is required.
Read more from the park
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines. For tips, tactics and safety information, see the Ice Fishing page.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species.
Inspection Hours
The reservoir is closed for the 2026 season.
Mandatory Inspections and Seals
Aquatic Nuisance Species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANS
Fishing
Boating
Boating
Allowed watercraft:
- Hand-launched boats (kayaks, paddle boards, etc.)
- Sailboats
- All other watercraft are prohibited
Fishing
Fish Species and Bag Limits
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Visitor center
Water
- Boat ramp
- Fishing pier
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible fishing
- Beach or all-terrain wheelchairs
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible fishing
- Beach or all-terrain wheelchairs
Just 20 minutes northeast of Denver, you'll find Barr Lake State Park. The park offers a variety of activities throughout the year beside 1,950 acres of peaceful water and a fishing pier that's ADA accessible.
Visitors with disabilities can explore designated trails in the park using a Track Chair. See below for more information and to make reservations.
- Track Chair (all-terrain wheelchairs)
The park's main attraction is its abundant opportunities to explore nature and view wildlife. Visitors with disabilities can also enjoy the trails with an all-terrain motorized wheelchair through the Track Chair program.
Great fishing, close to Denver and Boulder. The lake is stocked with channel catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, walleye, bluegill, wiper, and tiger muskie. Fishing is not allowed in the wildlife refuge area, or in the irrigation canals surrounding the lake. Fishing is allowed from the shore or from a boat on the north side of the lake. ADA-accessible fishing piers are available.
Read more from the park
ADA-accessible fishing piers are available. Call the park at 303-659-6005 for more information.
The majority of swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking fatalities occur when people are not wearing a life jacket. By keeping you above water, life jackets can be a last line of defense that prevents a bad situation from getting far worse. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board.
The Track Chair Program allows wheelchair users and those with varied mobility the opportunity to explore hiking trails and experience the outdoors in an accessible way. A park volunteer will also be on the hike and will have the ability to control the chair with an attendant control should the need arise.
Outings range from 2-3 hours on average, depending on the participants desires. Scheduling is flexible and not limited to weekdays. At this time, use of the track chair is free of charge. A park pass is required on all vehicles entering the park.
To reserve a track chair, please email [email protected] or call us at 303-659-6005.
Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Fishing Pier
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 13401 Picadilly Road
Brighton, CO 80603 - Nearest town
- Brighton — about 3 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.9445, -104.7372
- Phone
- 303-659-6005
- dnr_barrlake.naturecenter@state.co.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Directions From Denver Take I-76 northeast and then exit 22 to Bromley Lane. Go east to Piccadilly Road, then south to the park entrance. From E-470 From E-470 exit 34, 120th Ave, go east to Tower Rd. Turn left onto Tower Rd. and follow the pavement to Piccadilly Rd. Make a left on Piccadilly. The park entrance is about a mile ahead on the left.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Sep 24, 2026
- CPW website Drupal JSON:API, node type state_park (43 published nodes; same store that renders /state-parks/{slug})
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology