Colorado State Bucket List
We enjoy going to parks so much we have a Colorado State Park Bucket List. Our goal is to visit each park at least once. There are 42 state parks and 16 fish hatcheries.
We want to visit them all!
Why We Love Colorado State Parks
Range Of Experiences – Each Colorado State Park offers a unique feature and experience. We have visited parks with a campground, playground, marina, reservoir, and beach. Each state park is so different that we never really have the same experience twice.
Educational – Learning should be fun and interactive! Colorado State Parks help make that possible. Each park has a visitor center with knowledgeable park rangers, exhibits, and resources. Many parks also have signs along the way explaining what wildlife and fauna you may see.
Distance – We live in Colorado. Many of these parks are a short drive. We are local tourists. The distance also makes it easy to learn about the wildlife that is native to Colorado.
Cost – We have an annual park pass. The $83 pass allows us access to 100s of hours of adventure, fun, exercise, and fresh air. The only other cost associated is gasoline for the car. We typically bring snacks, water, and everything we need for a fun day out.
Our Colorado State Park and Hatchery Visits
We update the list as we visit a new parks.
Barr Lake State Park
Barr Lake State Park in Brighton, Colorado is about 30 miles from our home. The nature center was impressive. We enjoyed the lake, boardwalk and all of the beautiful flowers.
Learn more about Barr Lake State Park.
Bellvue-Watson State Fish Hatchery
Bellvue-Watson State Fish Hatchery in Bellvue, Colorado is about 90 miles from our home. We enjoyed learning more about the hatchery, feeding the fish, and the scenic surrounding area.
Learn more about Bellvue-Watson State Fish Hatchery.
Boyd Lake State Park
Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland, Colorado is about 70 miles from our home. We enjoyed passing the cornfield on the trail and walking along the beach area.
Learn more about Boyd Lake State Park.
Castlewood Canyon State Park
Castlewood Canyon State Park in Franktown, Colorado is about 20 miles from our home. We have taken multiple trips to walk on trails that offer amazing views of a waterfall, canyon, dam, and gigantic rocks.
Learn more about Castlewood Canyon State Park.
Cherry Creek State Park
Cherry Creek State Park in Aurora, Colorado is about four miles from our home. We visit often since it is so close and has so many features. We enjoy walking on the different trails, watching the boats in the reservoir, and camping there.
Learn more about Cherry Creek State Park.
Elkhead Reservoir (Northwest Region)
We have not visited Elkhead Reservoir State Park yet.
Elkhead Reservoir is about four hours from us. There is a 900-acre reservoir!
Learn more about Elkhead Reservoir on the Official Colorado State Park and Wildlife website.
Harvey Gap (Northwest Region)
We have not visited Harvey Gap State Park yet.
Harvey Gap is about three-and-a-half hours from us. Harvey Gap is a day-use park about six miles down the road from Rifle Gap.
Learn more about Harvey Gap on the Official Colorado State Park and Wildlife website.
Highline Lake (Northwest Region)
We have not visited Highline Lake State Park yet.
Highline Lake is about five hours from us. This park is home to 200+ bird species of birds! The Audubon Society has named it an Important Bird Area.
Learn more about Highline Lake on the Official Colorado State Park and Wildlife website.
Lory State Park
Lory State Park in Bellvue, Colorado is about 95 miles from our home. This was our first visit to the Town of Bellvue, which is part of the Fort Collins-Loveland area. We were excited about seeing a mule deer right at the visitor center and the temporarily waterless waterfall.
Learn more about Lory State Park.