Dog Parks > Front Range > Littleton
Chatfield State Park
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We haven't yet visited this park yet, but some wonderful folks who have been there are supplying some information for us all. Here's what I've received recently. Thanks, folks, for all this information!!
Greg says: "The park is huge!! and is not fenced (EDIT: Visited this park on 1/22/12 amd it is now fully fenced, and still HUGE!). The borders of the leash free area are the park road on the south, and the spillway/river on the north. The dam road on the west side, and just east of the 2nd pond. It is approximately 3/4 of mile long and 1/3 mile wide. Limited shade is available. It has two ponds available for dog swimming and about 2 miles of trails. To get to the dog park go to the Wadsworth entrance of the park (about 1/2 mile south of C-470) - enter the park. ($5/day or $55 for an annual pass good at all state parks) When you get to the first turn, go left and follow the road up and over the dam. You will be on the east side of the dam near the spill way. The two parking lots are on the left side of the road. Bathrooms and a picnic area is available at the first lot. Parking and bathrooms are the 2nd parking lot and this lot is closest to the two ponds. Both parking lots are large and can hold 50+ cars apiece.On weekends there are usually 100+ dogs at the park during the peak hours. No separate area for smaller dogs."
Tracy & Tony say: ... it's fabulous!! Worth noting:At least 2 ponds (or lakes!) for dogs to swim or wade in. Lots of friendly people and dogs. Public bathrooms with fresh doggy water dispenser. Adequate trash cans for doggie doo. Tons of room to explore. Large parking area.I would dare to say the most fun dog park in the Denver ARea. Definitely worth checking out. We got there through Chatfield State Park and paid the $6 entrance fee, although I'm discovering that there's a free entrance if you're only going West on C-470....a small exit from the freeway, just west of Santa Fe and a path which leads to the dog park.
Shino Says: I just wanted to inform you that there is a legal way to get into Chatfield park with out paying. Just take c 470 east and exit Santa Fe. Make a left and enter back onto C 470 west. There is a dirt road that exits into a dusty road that will take you into a parking lot. You can park in the first parking lot or keeping heading down the dirt road to the other parking lot. There is a path that will take you under the freeway into the park. Dogs must be leashed until you reach the dog training site. There are a ton of bikers so it’s best to stay attentive.
Jennifer says: I take my dogs daily to Chatfield State Park dog area. It is really supposed to be a “dog training” area, but 99% of the folks that use it are there just for fun. Yippee. Occasionally (and not very often), you’ll hear a training pistol, and they are legal to use there. So, if your dog is freaky about that sound, use caution. Most of us “regulars” purchase a yearly pass (around $55 I think. I’m not sure. My friend got me a senior pass, even though I’m not a senior. Don’t tell anyone!), as we are there every day. I believe it is $6/day to get in without a pass. Free access is also available on the north side of the dog area at C-470, just West of Santa Fe on the north side of the street. It’s a little tricky to find, as the parking area comes out up you right away as you’re driving west from Santa Fe. It is a short walk (1/2 mile or so) then to get to the doggie area if you park here. And, often, this area fills up fast, as it is free and popular. I enter at the main park entrance, then travel east, up and over the dam to the 3 parking lots to the dog area. The first 2 lots have bathrooms (and no shade), while the last (and best) area, the Cottonwood Picnic Area, does not have bathrooms (but it does have big shady trees). This picnic area is common for doggie club get-togethers too. All three are within a short walking distance of each other. The 2nd parking lot has a water spigot for drinking water for the dogs. Often, there are poopie bags available at all 3 areas, but I always take my own. I get irate when other dog owners don’t pick up their dog’s waste. I make sure and yell out loudly, for all to hear, “Do you need a bag? You’re dog is leaving you a present right here” They’re usually not watching their dog. Gosh, don’t get me started on that JNow, to the water. There are 2 large ponds (lakes?) for the dogs to frolic in. You are also allowed to let them get in the river. Sometimes this gets slow and the water gets smelly. When it is flowing, it is a good spot for dogs to get in, as it is only about 1-1 ½ feet deep. And it is colder and a little cleaner than the lake water.The speed limit in the park is 25 miles per hour, and is strictly enforced by the State Patrol! Beware. They will ticket you.Whatever you choose to do—walk, swim, lollygag, meet your regular doggie friends, you’ll have a good time. I’ve been going there for 6 years now. You can’t beat it anywhere.
Cinnamon, Kristin & Erich say: Even though we live in Westminster, we make it a point to get to Chatfield as often as possible with Cinnamon, our Great Pyrenese/Golden mix. This is a very popular park, and for good reason. In addition to having an enormous off-leash park with 2 lakes for the swimming types, boundless fields for fetch, and hiking trails, there are hundreds of dogs on the weekends waiting to meet and greet, but enough space that you and your dog can "get away from it all" and hardly run into a soul if you prefer. As for the secret (legal) way to get there, it's both simple and complex (due to the unnamed exit off of C-470). To access this area you must be on C-470 heading toward the mountains (despite my research I can't find the official C-470 direction, but I believe it's called C-470 South--at any rate you should be on C-470 heading towards I-70 and away from I-25). THERE IS NO WAY TO ACCESS THIS PARKING AREA COMING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION UNLESS YOU EXIT SANTS FE, AND THEN HEAD THE OTHER DIRECTION ON C-470. About 1/2 mile after Santa Fe, and before Platte Canyon, you exit to the right into what looks like a construction site. As soon as you exit you will want to take your first right onto the dirt road so as not to enter the construction site. Be careful! The speed bumps are deadly! There are two parking areas--you'll likely end up parking in the first (and larger) one that you come across on the right, but if you proceed you'll also find a small area where the street dead-ends. If you end up in the larger lot simply follow the trail on the northeast side of the lot about 1/3 of a mile to the second parking area. On the east side of that parking area the entrance to the path is easily visible. Head south (right) on the path, under C-470 (watch out for the bikers that refuse to dismount despite the signs!), up the small hill, to the fork in the path. Take the left fork (instead of straight/right), so that you're crossing over the bridge. After the bridge take a right, and you will see the off-leash park about 1/4 mile in front of you. WARNING: DO NOT UNLEASH YOUR DOG UNTIL YOU HAVE REACHED THE SIGN THAT SAYS IT'S O.K. TO DO SO. THERE IS FREQUENTLY A CHATFIELD RANGER/POLICE OFFICER STATIONED AT THE SIGN WAITING TO TICKET PEOPLE WHO UNLEASH TOO EARLY! This entrance has a path that follows the South Platte, but you will soon see a fairly steep (but small) hill in front of you. You can either mount the hill (most people do), or follow the winding path to the top. Once you've crested you will see the first of two doggie lakes, a.k.a. "Splashdown". Feel free to explore the hundreds of acres! Chatfield is great about posting signs that let you know if you've exited the off-leash area, and frankly that's difficult to do since the area is so immense.
11500 N. Roxborough Park Road
Littleton, Colorado 80125
United States
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Chatfield State Park
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