Cherry Creek State Park
Notice: Closures — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- See fee details
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us303-690-1166
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Closure ClosuresBoating Closure Coming - Cherry Creek Reservoir will close to all boating, including paddlecraft, effective at the end of the day Sunday, November 1.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 4,418 acres, Cherry Creek State Park lies in Arapahoe County, about 3 miles northeast of Centennial.
Popular activities here are cross-country skiing, horseback riding, winter sports, canoeing and kayaking, and boating. On the water side, there is a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and a fishing pier. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitor center | Daily | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Oct 1 – Oct 31 |
| Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Nov 1 – Dec 31 |
Official wording
Visitor Center/Campground Office: Daily, Oct 1 to Oct 31: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov 1 to Dec 31: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Visitor Center/Campground Office: Daily, Oct 1 to Oct 31: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Nov 1 to Dec 31: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $10 · year |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $15 · year |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $3 · year |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $1 · year |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $3 · year |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15 Dog Off-leash Daily Pass: $3 Daily Water Basin Authority: $1 Annual Water Basin Authority: $3
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
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
Winter camping (November 1–March 31) is available in the Abilene Loop only, and a reservation is required.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals, Horses Cherry Creek State Park is pet friendly. Leashed pets are allowed at campsites. All pets must be under control and on a maximum six-foot leash at all times, and not attached to any park signs, trees, shrubs or hydrants. Pets may not be left unattended, and pet owners must promptly clean up after their pets.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Located in the Denver metro area and open year-round, Cherry Creek State Park offers visitors a unique chance to enjoy the surrounding prairie with a camping getaway.
Reserve Now
Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway from the city or a scenic spot to spend a night or longer, Cherry Creek offers something for every camper.
Basic tent and full hook-up campsites are available year-round, and group sites are also available.
Sitting at a picnic table in the campgrounds
From the official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCampingWinter sportsCross-country skiingFishingHikingHorseback ridingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek Trail | 4.75 mi | — | 4.75 miles, paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking ADA accessible Dog friendly Access point: Cherry Creek Crossing or Cottonwood Creek trailheadAccessible |
| Dam Trail | 0.36 mi | — | 0.36 miles, non-paved Hiking, biking Dog friendly Access point: Parking lot on north side of marina |
| Pope Trail | 1.04 mi | — | 1.04 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: Pope trailhead |
| Butterfly Hill Trail | 1.08 mi | — | 1.08 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: via Pope or Cottonwood Creek trailheads |
| Prairie Loop Nature Trail | 0.25 mi | — | 0.25 miles, non-paved Hiking only Access point: Prairie Loop parking lot |
| Vista Trail | 0.65 mi | — | 0.65 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: via Cottonwood Creek trailhead |
| Cottonwood Creek Trail | 1.88 mi | — | 1.88 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead |
| Windmill Creek Loop Trail | 0.37 mi | — | 0.37 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead |
| Railroad Bed Trail | 2.11 mi | — | 2.11 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: Cottonwood Creek Trailhead |
| Pipeline Trail | 0.71 mi | — | 0.71 miles, non-paved Hiking only Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads |
| South Connector Trail | 0.44 mi | — | 0.44 miles, non-paved Hiking only Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads |
| Wetland Loop Trail | 1.22 mi | — | 1.22 miles, non-paved Hiking only Access point: Cottonwood Creek or Shop Creek trailheads |
| North Connector Trail | 0.27 mi | — | 0.27 miles, non-paved Hiking only Access point: Shop Creek Trailhead |
| Campground Trail | 0.89 mi | — | 0.89 miles, paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking ADA accessible Dog friendly Access point: Campground or swim beach parking lotsAccessible |
| Parker Road Trail | 2.49 mi | — | 2.49 miles, paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: Shop Creek parking lot |
| Shop Creek Trail | 0.47 mi | — | 0.47 miles, paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking ADA accessible Dog friendly Access point: Shop Creek parking lotAccessible |
| 12-Mile Trail | 2.81 mi | — | 2.81 miles, non-paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: 12-mile North and South parking lots |
| Smoky Hill Trail | 1.65 mi | — | 1.65 miles, paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking Dog friendly Access point: Dixon Grove, swim beach, Smoky Hill or old jet ski parking lots |
| Beaver Pond Nature Trail | 0.42 mi | — | 0.42 miles one way, 0.84 miles round trip; non-paved Hiking only Access point: 12-mile North parking lot |
| Piney Creek Trail | 0.38 mi | — | 0.38 miles, paved Hiking, horseback riding, biking ADA accessible Dog friendly Access point: 12-mile South parking lotAccessible |
Trail descriptions from the park
Cherry Creek's extensive multi-use trail system spans 35 miles and provides a pleasurable experience year-round.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Flush toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Parking
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Marina or boat slips
- Fishing pier
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
- Accessible fishing
✓ 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
- Accessible campsites
Full hook-up and tent campsites are available year-round. For group gatherings, an outdoor amphitheater is located in the campground and offers bench seating, a podium and a fire pit. The campground offers shower and laundry facilities, a dump station and firewood for purchase. ADA-accessible campsites are available.
Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Event Space Rental, Accessible Fishing Pier, Accessible Parking, Accessible Campsite
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
When you camp at Cherry Creek, check-in time is 1 p.m. on the day of arrival and check-out time is 12 p.m. (noon) on the day of departure. Camping permits need to be renewed by noon or the site vacated. A self-service kiosk is available if the campground office is closed. Camping is limited to 14 days in any 45-day period.
A maximum of six people, two camping units (but only one RV or camper per site) and two vehicles are allowed per site. A camping unit is defined as a tent, camper, RV, etc. Campsites designated with “HD” are reserved for campers with disabilities. Disabled person placard or plates must be visible.
Getting there
- Address
- 4201 South Parker Road
Aurora, CO 80014 - Nearest town
- Centennial — about 3 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.6270, -104.8297
- Phone
- 303-690-1166
- cherry.creek.park@state.co.us
Entrances
- Entrance Station
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Directions One mile south of I-225 on Parker Road at Lehigh (south Denver). Located at 4201 S Parker Road, Aurora, CO 80014.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026; page says updated Oct 1, 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